The Chicago Fire came into Giants Stadium on Saturday night knowing that getting a result likely hinged on their ability to lock down star New York striker Juan Pablo Angel.
With Red Bulls teen sensation Jozy Altidore, who scored five goals in four matches in August, out of the lineup with a lower leg injury, Angel was clearly was the focus for the visitors.
And for the most part, Chicago executed its game plan -- except for one brief moment in the second half that eventually cost them the match.
"I think we limited him to one chance in the whole game," said Fire coach Juan Carlos Osorio of Angel after his team's 1-0 loss. "He proved today he only needs one chance to score."
New York rookie winger Dane Richards set up Angel's 75th-minute winner, battling through Fire defenders Diego Gutierrez and Gonzalo Segares before finding the Colombian with a brilliant ball on the left side. Veteran defender C.J. Brown was covering the ground behind them, but opted not leave the middle to cover Angel. It was a decision he would later regret.
"I'd rather the ball go right than down the middle in that situation, but I probably should have cheated a little more to the right to make Richards think twice about playing that ball," Brown said afterward.
Chicago's Mexican international star Cuauhtemoc Blanco, who has been a revelation since joining the club in late July, had a relatively quiet night. He wowed the crowd with several exquisite touches, but mostly was shackled by the Red Bulls whenever he got the ball.
"I think it was for difficult for him toady because he only had one (forward) in front of him," Osorio said. "In the other games he played with two strikers and he always had two options."
Brown felt that Blanco had done enough to help the team earn a point, and he also spoke glowingly about what the high-profile star has added to the team since his arrival six weeks ago.
"I think we got some good stuff out of him. He's going to get you one or two chances a game and you've got to be able to finish them," said Brown.
"I've been very impressed with him," he added. "His attitude's been great. He's a riot in the locker room. On the field, he doesn't take days off. He's getting nicks and bruises every game and he keeps playing. He's earning his paycheck, he wants to win and I appreciate that."
Despite the setback, Osorio still was happy to be back at the Meadowlands; he was an assistant with the New York club in 2000 and part of 2001 before coaching stints in England and Colombia.
And the Fire boss is optimistic that his squad will be more dangerous in the coming weeks, continuing its late push for a playoff spot -- especially once winger Justin Mapp returns from his ankle injury.
"Offensively, we need to produce more. It was hard for Paulo (Wanchope) to play basically by himself up front tonight," Osorio said. "We need more from the wide players. I think we will get that when Justin comes back."
Doug McIntyre is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
