Chicago Fire midweek training: 3 takeaways from Week 1
2. This is just the B-team
Both the Chicago Fire and the Seattle Sounders came into this game shorthanded. The Sounders lost in the Champions League on Thursday and the Fire were (and still are) waiting for most of their new signings to receive their visas and join the team. But somehow, the Fire’s ‘B-Team’ looked incredibly more potent than what was their first-choice squad last season.
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The passing in central areas was quick and accurate, with smart combinations and creative probing, Robert Beric was handed plenty of chances from the off, even scoring one in the second half, and there is still talent to the add to the mix.
The team’s downfall in this game came from players who probably wouldn’t have been playing if the Fire had a full squad. Brandt Bronico wouldn’t have been playing out of position at right-back against Jordan Morris if Boris Sekulic had gotten there in time. If CJ Sapong hadn’t been injured, maybe he would’ve been the one sent on instead of Elliot Collier. Djordje Mihailovic wouldn’t have been playing out of position either if Nacho Aliseda was available.
This all said, if the Chicago Fire looked this solid without those players, Fire fans have so much more to hope for going forward into the season.