D.C. United might have won the Supporters' Shield for having the best regular-season record in Major League Soccer but the Chicago Fire will have momentum on their side when the two face off Thursday in first leg of their Eastern Conference Semifinal Series.
No. 4 seed Chicago is in the midst of an eight-game unbeaten streak, capped by a 1-0 victory against Los Angeles in the season finale Sunday in Bridgeview to help send the Fire to the MLS Cup Playoffs. Fire forward and leading team scorer Chad Barrett believes his squad is ready to continue their winning ways against D.C.
"I don't know how other teams look at us but we have an eight-game unbeaten streak and no matter how many ties or wins we had in that span that's a good achievement," Barrett said. "But we can't go off of the last eight games or what we achieved in regular season. This is the postseason and it's a whole different game."
United has the best goal differential in MLS play, scoring 22 more goals than they allowed in the regular season. Three reasons for that are Luciano Emilio, Christian Gomez and Jaime Moreno. Emilio led MLS with 20 goals while Gomez (10 goals) and Moreno (seven goals) add to a front three in the United attack.
"You look at their offense and it is pretty dangerous with Moreno, Emilio and Gomez," said Fire defender C.J. Brown. "Those guys can score at will if you give them the time and space. We need to prevent them from getting lots of cross passes and penetration and try to limit their touches."
For the season, Chicago's offensive statistics are not impressive. However, since the arrival of Mexican international superstar and recently named team MVP Cuauhtémoc Blanco in late July, the offense has been generating more chances to score.
"We had 10 shots on goal against (L.A. 'keeper Joe) Cannon on Sunday but we just weren't able to finish as often as we would have liked," Barrett said. "I feel it's only a matter of time before we capitalize and finish more consistently."
One area that has been consistent for Chicago is its play in goal. Fire 'keeper Matt Pickens set a team record with 10 shutouts in a season when he blanked the Galaxy on Sunday at Toyota Park. The previous mark was nine set by former Fire goalie Zach Thornton in 2001.
"I think we're playing some pretty tough defense. I think probably the toughest in the league," Pickens said. "We're on an eight-game unbeaten streak and that gives me confidence as a goalkeeper and helps our forwards too so that they know that we won't give up anything in the back."
Although Moreno and Emilio are suffering with ankle injuries, both strikers are listed as probable for Thursday's tilt.
"Playing against the No. 1 team is not easy but we've had some good games against them," Brown said. "They've been in tough games and pressure games. We need to apply pressure early and finish on the opportunities that we do have against them."
Barrett believes that the rough first half that the Fire had in 2007 can pay dividends in the playoffs.
"We have a very strong bench," Barrett said. "We have guys that played a lot early in the season and I know when they get into the game, they won't be nervous and they'll play well for us."
Tim Hilton is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
