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Chicago Fire: Who is the Weakest Link Right Now?

By James Grinder

Mar 11, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; General view of Toyota Park before the game between Real Salt Lake and the Chicago Fire. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; General view of Toyota Park before the game between Real Salt Lake and the Chicago Fire. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York City FC defender Frederic Brillant (13) defends against Chicago Fire defender Matt Polster (2) during second half at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York City FC defender Frederic Brillant (13) defends against Chicago Fire defender Matt Polster (2) during second half at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /

Alternatives

Channeling my inner J.K. Rowling here:

"“for neither can live while the other survives…”"

I can live with one of these players remaining on the field but not the other. Something has to give.

As for right back, there are a number of options.

Matt Polster, Drew Conner, or Patrick Doody all deserve a shot at right back after the performances we’ve seen from Harrington. Each of those players has a higher ceiling than Harrington, and they need playing time to hit it.

The options behind Bava are not as thrilling, at first look. Matt Lampson struggled last season, but that could be chalked up to an extremely poor team defense. In fact, Lampson was at one point ranked among the top 5 goalies in MLS. Stefan Cleveland, though not exactly heralded at the draft, perhaps has the most upside of the three goalies.

If they prove unable to take the reigns, perhaps a trade with a willing partner can transpire. The following teams have logjams at goalies, with backups that are MLS starting calibre:

  • Houston Dynamo (Deric, Willis)
  • Colorado Rapids (Howard, MacMath)
  • FC Dallas (Seitz, Gonzalez)

Fire fans want to see this type of effort from a Chicago Fire goalie.

Next: Chicago Fire: Key Takeaways from the Montreal Impact

The Chicago Fire are only four games into a thirty-four game season. The current transfer window closes on May 8. The next window opens for a month on July 10. There is time to make a move. If playoffs are truly the goal, as stated by Nelson Rodriguez, something needs to change soon though.

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