Match 7: @ Chicago Fire Preview
Sounders FC heads to the Windy City for their seventh match in the 2009 MLS Season.
The Chicago Fire (2-0-4, 10 pts) is in second place of the Eastern Conference as they host the Sounders (4-2-0, 12pts) the Western Conference’s second place team at Toyota Park.
The Fire have walked away with a draw in their last three league matches; against San Jose (3-3), Kansas City (2-2), Columbus (2-2). They lost an international friendly to Mexican power Club America 2-1 on Wednesday night. For that match, Chicago Head Coach, Denis Hamlett, mixed starters with reserves, balancing his desire to respect Club America and the fans in attendance with his need to keep players fresh for their league game Saturday against Sounders FC.
Chicago leads the League with 12 goals scored as Brian McBride is leading MLS with 5 goals in Chicago’s six games and was announced as MLS Player of the Month for April. Marco Pappa has two goals and five other Chicagoans have scored.
Seattle is tied for second with nine goals.
Kasey Keller, currently the League’s leading goalkeeper with a 0.00 goals-against average, will face last season’s Goalkeeper of the Year, Jon Busch. Busch is sporting a 1.5 Goals Against Average.
Firepower and scoring opportunities won’t be limited in this matchup.
The Fire will probably play a 4-4-2. With McBride and Patrick Nyarko up front. Pappa, Tim Ward, Logan Pause, and Justin Mapp will be holding the midfield. The defense usually sees Dasan Robinson, Bakary Soumare, Gonzalo Segares, and Brandon Prideaux in the lineup with Busch in the net.
Some of the underlying questions for Sounders FC… With Sebastien LeToux’s motor and output should he be back in the Seattle starting lineup? Can Hurtado, Marshall, and Osvaldo Alonso stop McBride? Does Sigi man-mark McBride with Jhon Kennedy or Tyrone? Should Freddie Ljungberg be moved out to his natural wing position? Will Fredy Montero find the back of the net?
Add your thoughts below…
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