Greetings from the City of Brotherly Love! Here are Five Things you should know ahead of tonight's match vs. the Union (LIVE 6:00pm CT on My50; La Ley 107.9 FM)
Athletico Injury Report
The Fire continue to have some injury issues this week. There’s nothing new on that front with defenders Arne Friedrich (hip tightness) and Steven Kinney (right quad strain) who remain out.
Defender Hunter Jumper (right groin tightness) and midfielder Victor Pineda (right ankle sprain) also remain questionable for the second straight week.
Maicon Santos is also listed as questionable after the right shoulder sprain he suffered late in last Saturday’s match vs. Philly but Frank Klopas indicated the Brazilian striker would likely be out a few weeks. Midfielder Daniel Paladini was added as questionable Friday with left calf inflammation.
One player that returns from the injury list in Sherjill MacDonald who returned to training at midweek after being sequestered from the team because of strep throat.
MacDonald made his first start in a Fire shirt and set up Chris Rolfe for the equalizer in last year’s 3-1 win in Philadelphia on August 12.
Speaking of that goal…
It was the first of two on the night for eventual 2012 Fire MVP and Golden Boot winner...That game was also the first of two multi-goal games for the Fire striker last season.
I believe the traveling Fire support would love to sing Rolfe’s name a few times tonight…
Soumare for a third straight game?
Union center back Jeff Parke remains Questionable on their injury report with a left hamstring strain. There was some speculation that Parke may be ready to return to the field tonight but if not, it seems former Fire defender Bakary Soumare would get his third straight start for the Union.
Larentowicz unbeaten in Philly
I wrote yesterday that hometown hero Jeff Larentowicz has not lost in three previous visits to Philadelphia with the Colorado Rapids (2-0-1). The local Chestnut Hill Academy product even tallied in his first visit to Philadelphia, a 1-1 draw on August 14, 2010.
An even better stat: he’s just never lost to the Union, going 3-0-2 all-time against Philly.
It’ll be good to have Big Red back from his one-game suspension Saturday night at PPL Park.
Lastly, did you know?
In 15 previous seasons, the Fire have never played a game on May 18? First time for everything.
