Pre Chicago Fire vs RSL

The Chicago Fire come to the RioT for the very first time this Saturday. However, everyone still remembers what happened last time the fire came to RSL. Mr White, after 90 minutes of theatrics, scored a goal in stoppage time that gutted RSL on its season opener and drew the game level with only seconds to spare. Many RSL fans, like myself, still can remember the rise in blood pressure when Blanco got down on his knees (where he belongs in my opinion, if you get what I mean) and did that retarded celebration of his. I hope the players for RSL remember this game as well, and use it as motivation this Saturday.

Chicago comes into this game as THE BEST road team in the MLS. On the flip side, they are visiting, arguably, the best home side in the MLS in RSL. This factor alone makes this game very interesting to many across the league. Besides that, there are huge playoff implications with pretty much every game remaining, a win here for RSL keeps them on track for sliding into one of the last playoff spots. A draw or loss, however, drops them out of the race and puts RSL in a tight spot to get more points on the road. To say the least, this is a must-win game for RSL and its playoff hopes.

The injury report and suspension list for this game is not helpful for RSL in the least. Javier Morales is listed as doubtful with an ankle injury, Ned Grab-my-boys and Kyle Bekcerman are both suspended, and Will Johnson is listed as having a toe injury that could keep him out of the lineup (very unlikely though). That means 3 midfielers are for sure gone this game, and one listed as questionable. Accompany that with the fact that this team relies heavily on the work-rate and vision of its midfield, and you can see why this game is not going to come easily for the home side.

Come game time, though, here is what I think we will see for the starting XI of RSL:

Rimando
Wingert Olave Borchers Beltran
Russell Williams Johnson
El Khalifi Campos Espindola

There is no reason to mess with that back 4. They have been solid in the last couple of games, with some players getting breaks on the tight schedule.

Rimando should be ready to finish out the rest of the season, however Seitz showed last game that he can be a reliable backup.

Russell and Johnson will be the deciding factors this game. Will needs to clean up his touch and passes, and Russell will need to cover for Andy and keep a high work rate defensively.

Williams has shown a bit of his old flair that many, like myself, have fallen in love with lately. If he continues this, he will dominate the middle of the pitch.

The top 3 will have to put in some serious work as well. With Conde listed as probable, the already strong defensive of Chicago just got stronger. REK needs to see the ball more and whip in some quality balls. Espy will ware down his side of the field and hopefully get in behind them a time or two. Campos needs to be huge (literally) this game if RSL is to score. His presence up top should give Chicago fits and open things up for Espindola more.

I would expect to see Findley off the bench around the 60th - 70th minute for Campos. Mathis for El Khalifi around the same time. Then, depending on the situation of the game, Cox for Espy or Alexandre for Espy.

Prediction:
RSL 3 Chicago 1

Cheers,
15 to 32