Chicagoans currently on a five-game losing streak
The Fire will play for its season, Saturday night at 7:30pm when it visits Montreal (TICKETS– TVA Sports, 98.5fm). Nothing less. Now at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings with nine games left to play, seven points away from the Impact and that sixth and final MLS Cup playoff spot, Chicago will need to find a way to win if it wants to have a thin chance of booking its ticket to the fall tournament. The only hiccup is that Veljko Paunovic’s squad has lost all its games since the beginning of July, except one – and it was against USL side Louisville City FC, in the U.S. Open Cup. Not to mention that Bastian Schweinsteiger and associates have scored just twice in their last five games: a stunner from way out from the German world champion, and an indirect free kick. Here are the three keys to Saturday night’s matchup against the side from Illinois.
- Congest the middle
The Fire has a hard time creating opportunities these days. Confidence is running low and the team prefers playing long balls on the flanks rather than going through the middle – which hasn’t necessarily worked, proven by Chicago’s offensive output. The Bleu-blanc-noir’s trifecta in midfield will need to be efficient in preventative coverage and in putting the opponent under pressure, especially Schweinsteiger, to avoid quality passes in behind.
- Impose their style of play
Here’s a good opportunity for the Impact to play some good football. On the road, the Fire prefers leaving its opponent the majority of possession. The Bleu-blanc-noir, especially at Stade Saputo, likes to circulate the ball and build patiently by completing numerous passes. Expect the Impact’s offense to shine against a defense that won’t be able to count on regulars Jonathan Campbell and Matt Polster, both out injured.
- Press and recover in the final third
The Impact proved, against the Portland Timbers and against Real Salt Lake, that its pressing is efficient. Against a team like the Chicago Fire, who doesn’t really develop its play from the back, opportunities to push the block forward to regain possession of the ball after losing it will be limited, but can create opportunities for Montreal’s forwards, while instilling doubt in centre-backs Vincent and Kappelhof.
