Unable to finish their chances or keep the opposition from burying theirs, the Fire’s five-game league unbeaten streak came to a crashing halt Saturday night in Columbus, where they fell to the Crew 2-1.
Apart from stopping the Fire’s streak – which dated all the way back to May 15 – Saturday night’s loss denied the fourth place Fire from advancing further up the Eastern Conference table. Chicago, which would have pulled to within four points of the first place Crew with a win, drops ten points behind the Conference leaders with the loss.
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One of the main reasons for the Fire’s disappointing defeat was a lack of finishing. Despite finding the net a respectable 18 times this season, Chicago has experienced more than its fair share of woes in front of net in 2010 – something that continued Saturday night.
The main culprit for the Fire this time was winger Patrick Nyarko. The Ghanaian – who, despite his six assists, has yet to score a goal for Chicago this season – missed several golden opportunities to equalize.
Three Nyarko misses stick out. The first came in the 59th minute, when fellow winger Marco Pappa served a swerving ball in from the right flank onto the head of Nyarko. Despite the fact that he was relatively unmarked, Nyarko, who is not known for his aerial ability, headed the ball well wide of the post.
Nyarko’s second, and best, opportunity came just six minutes later. Midfielder Mike Banner made a marauding run down the left side of the field, eventually arriving in the box with several of his teammates. Banner lifted his head up and found Nyarko, who was again unmarked, 15 yards from goal just to the left of center. Nyarko hit a right footed shot with his first touch, but disappointingly missed the target, failing to capitalize on the opportunity.
He had a chance to totally redeem himself in the 74th, but his first touch of a Pappa back heel let him down and he couldn’t overcome a tough angle, hitting his shot wide of Crew keeper William Hesmer’s near post from eight yards out.
Despite his notable misses, Nyarko was far from the only Chicago attacker who was unsuccessful in the finishing department. Forward Brian McBride and midfielders Baggio Husidic and Mike Banner all failed to hit the target from decent positions – something that will leave head coach Carlos de los Cobos scratching his head.
But the offense wasn’t alone in their struggles; the defense also has room to improve heading into Thursday night’s nationally televised match against Real Salt Lake. Keeper Andrew Dykstra fumbled the ball away after he came out to collect a Guillermo Barros Schelotto through ball – allowing Adam Moffat to finish his chance. The Fire’s second-year goalie will feel that he should have been able to hold the ball better in that particular instance.
Also of concern along the backline was the inability of the outside backs to get into the attack. Both Dasan Robinson and Krzysztof Krol struggled in support – something that could be a byproduct of the Fire’s extra time match against the Charleston Battery in Tuesday’s U.S. Open Cup match.
The Fire will need to limit their mistakes (and improve their finishing), all while dealing with a quick turnaround if they want to get a result against Salt Lake – who sit second in the league with 27 points.
