Chicago Fire head coach Frank Yallop has had a lot of talks with his players lately about keeping their spirits high during recent struggles. He’s tried different things when it comes to training and approach to games.
He also realizes only so much can be done outside of the spotlight. Results have to show on the field, and that hasn’t happened consistently in recent weeks. The next chance to create some momentum will be Tuesday’s U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 matchup against Charlotte Independence at Toyota Park.
Match Preview: Fire vs. Charlotte Independence
“It’s a game that we want to come out and be on the front foot and push and try and get an early goal if we can,” Yallop said Monday via teleconference. “Talking about it and doing it are two different things. I’m just excited to see how we come out and our demeanor. We’ve chatted a lot as a team. We’ve got to now start to dig deep and start to get results. I keep saying it, but we’ve got to start doing it.”
Advancing in a tournament that has meant so much to the Chicago Fire over the years would likely be a big boost for the side, particularly with the prospect of quarterfinal home match as their reward. The team also would like to put forth a good performance to ease the sting of four straight MLS losses, even ones that came with only the sporadic service of players like Shaun Maloney, David Accam and Joevin Jones.
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Even Chicago's 2015 debut in the Open Cup left something to be desired, requiring a 116th-minute goal by the since-departed Quincy Amarikwa to stave off Louisville City F.C. Simply winning Tuesday isn’t the ideal scenario. Winning and playing well is.
“Sometimes it springboards you,” Yallop said. “I didn’t think we played well in the last Open Cup game, and we won it. Hopefully we can play well and get a good result, and then that should give us some confidence moving forward.”
Yallop understands that Charlotte will be a tough out, regardless of their status as a third-division team. He watched them win 1-0 on the road against the New England Revolution and was impressed with their physicality, strength on set pieces and quality on the counterattack. He was impressed with how the USL side “showed resolve” to hang on late.
All of those qualities are a testament to the man in charge for Charlotte: head coach Mike Jeffries, who has enjoyed three different stints (1998-2000, 2008, 2010-12) on the Fire technical staff. Yallop will be happy for Jeffries' homecoming but hopes to spoil it on the field. “I really like Mike as a fellow,” Yallop said, “and to start with, he’s a really nice guy and obviously a good coach.
“It’s always nice when someone can come home where he worked and bring his team. I hope it’s not too good of a homecoming, but it’ll be nice to see Mike and his team again. We know it’s not an easy game at all. It never is. They’re a good side, and they’ve proven that in their division. We’ve got to be ready for it.”
Helping the cause will be the availability of Joevin Jones, who will be in the team before departing for CONCACAF Gold Cup duty Wednesday.
By contrast, the injury situation continues to be an issue for the Fire, as David Accam (hamstring) and Shaun Maloney (back) remain out. However, they’ll be a little healthier than a week ago. Patrick Nyarko, who last played in October before suffering a knee injury, will likely be available Tuesday. Mike Magee, who has scored four goals in seven career Open Cup matches with the Fire, is probable to appear in the Fire Starting XI for the first time this season.
"Mike's a goal scorer and a good player,” Yallop said. “I want to get him back in there as quickly as we can, and a good time is probably tomorrow. Unless something overnight happens, he should be starting.”
