Chicago Fire vs Vancouver Whitecaps: Five Things We Learned

ORLANDO, FL - MAY 26: Chicago Fire forward Aleksandar Katai (10) during the soccer match between the Orlando City Lions and Chicago Fire on May 26, 2018 at Orlando City Stadium in Orlando FL. Photo by Joe Petro/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - MAY 26: Chicago Fire forward Aleksandar Katai (10) during the soccer match between the Orlando City Lions and Chicago Fire on May 26, 2018 at Orlando City Stadium in Orlando FL. Photo by Joe Petro/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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BRIDGEVIEW, IL – MAY 05: Chicago Fire defender Grant Lillard (15) controls the ball during a game between Atlanta United FC and the Chicago Fire on May 5, 2018, at Toyota Park, in Bridgeview, IL. (Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BRIDGEVIEW, IL – MAY 05: Chicago Fire defender Grant Lillard (15) controls the ball during a game between Atlanta United FC and the Chicago Fire on May 5, 2018, at Toyota Park, in Bridgeview, IL. (Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Bring Back Grant

The Fire backline is an absolute mess at the moment. Even though it is clear that Brandon Vincent isn’t a centerback, head coach Veljko Paunovic is insistent on playing him in the heart of the defense. Jonathan Campbell might be a natural center back, but he’s been just as bad, and shouldn’t be starting for this team anymore. Jorge Corrales had a decent start to his Fire career, but has regressed ever since.

Thankfully Johan Kappelhof will be back for the next game, which will be a massive help, but another change has to be made. Homegrown signing Grant Lillard started the year off strong, and impressed early on. He hasn’t gotten any chances since then, having to settle for a spot on the bench for weeks now. The rookie is still a better option than who is playing right now, and will only grow as the season goes on. Paunovic has trusted his youth before, and should allow Lillard the chance to prove he can be the man to save this Fire defense.