Chicago Fire: 3 Key Takeaways from the Montreal match

The Bad

Michael Harrington was decent enough over the first sixty minutes, but after the Juninho red card in the 71st, the cracks started show, and only grew larger.

On the Impact’s second goal, while not fully to blame for Bernier slipping past the midfield, Harrington was guilty of giving 18 year old Ballou Tabla far too much respect. Fearful of Tablas’ pace, he allowed Tabla all the room he needed to get off a slow, but well aimed shot off.

Jorge Bava, however, really should have done better with it. Both of the goals he let up were somewhat questionable, but this second one was particularly soft.

Bava’s ability since his signing, and in this match, did little to assuage fear of his usefulness. More worryingly, Bava may be the weakest starter on the pitch, and not Harrington.

Match highlights from Chicago Fire’s website.

Perhaps, we shall see some changes at the RB and GK position next match with Drew Conner and Matt Lampson drawing in.

Overall, despite the disappointing result from a must-win match, there are too many positives to takeaway from this one to think that Nelson Rodriguez’s project is destined for failure.

The fanbase’s passion has been absolutely resurrected by the arrival of Bastian Schweinsteiger. The rekindling of the Chicago Fire is upon us like a phoenix rising from the ashes.

Next: New Rules for Refs in 2017 MLS

Oh, and my new Basti jersey is on its way, too! Onto the Crew!