Chicago Fire Midweek Training: 3 takeaways from Week 2
2. The growing defensive concerns
Entering the 2020 season, there was one major concern for the majority of the Chicago Fire fan base: the defense. It seems almost futile to question whether a defense of Francisco Calvo and Johan Kappelhof actually bad.
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During the preseason, much noise was made about how the Fire would need a better right-back than the team’s most recent converted midfielder, Brandt Bronico. That problem seems to be remedied by recently arrived signing Boris Sekulic. But it is the heart of the backline that is an issue at present.
The New England Revolution draw pointed out something different that many Fire fans have attempted to ignore: Calvo is not very good. In the Revs’ only goal of the game, Calvo appeared to not only lose track Adam Buksa, who nipped in front, took a lovely first touch to round the flat-footed Calvo, and place a finish into the far corner.
Is it time to panic? No. Should the Fire be looking into certain options just in case? Absolutely. The Men (who until recently were) in Red made a trade earlier in the offseason for center-back Wyatt Omsberg from Minnesota United and signed a homegrown center-back in Nick Slonina. The reinforcements are there and, if Calvo’s form does not improve, — and the defense more generally, for that matter — changes may be necessary.