Chicago Fire Vs Vancouver Whitecaps: 3 things to watch for – Group B finale
By Harvey Cruz
The Chicago Fire face the Vancouver Whitecaps in their final game of Group B of the MLS is Back Tournament on Thursday morning. Here are three things to watch for.
The Chicago Fire come into Thursday morning’s contest against the Vancouver Whitecaps knowing a win guarantees them second place in the group. They will move onto the Round of 16 with a win or draw, and against a depleted Vancouver, will surely fancy their chances.
This group has provided stiff challenges to all squads involved. The San Jose Earthquakes have qualified as group winners, while the Seattle Sounders are already confirmed as either the second-place qualifiers or one of the top four third-place teams. Now the Fire are looking to join them.
Here are three things to watch for.
3. Chicago Fire aim for second place
The Chicago Fire have been one of the pleasant surprises of the tournament, despite all the adversity the club had to go through in the offseason. Huge roster turnover, a manager change, a logo change and a lackluster start, it seemed as though the Fire would struggle in Orlando. And yet, they have enjoyed success since being moved to Group B.
They opened the group beating Seattle in a rematch from an earlier defeat. They were then overwhelmed by San Jose but still have their fate in their own hands.
Against the Whitecaps, a win or draw will be enough to advance to the Round of 16. Head coach Raphael Wicky has steadied the ship, and in speaking to reporters, won’t mess around with the permutations:
"“Like I always said, and I repeat myself, there’s no easy games here. It’s not because they lost two games that there is going to be an easy game. It’s going to be a tough game. It’s a tournament. There‘s not a lot of rest time between our last game and their last game, so we will see, but I expect a similar style like they did in the last two games.”"
Four points will be enough to qualify as one of the four best third-place teams. Finishing second, though, would be a big boost for the club who had low expectations entering the competition.