to win a championship," said Sarachan. "We just lacked consistency. If I were to look at the areas that I didn't think we did well, it's that I think we surrendered more goals than we should have and I felt going into this year that would be one area we would be better at."
In fact, the only teams that had to pick the ball out of the back of their own net more times than the Fire did (50 goals against in 32 regular season games) were expansion clubs Chivas USA (67) and Real Salt Lake (65).
"We gave up way too many goals this year," lamented defensive midfield stalwart Chris Armas, who played in 22 games this season for the Fire before succumbing to a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee. "It's a team issue, not a back four or back three issue."
The Fire had similar difficulties in 2004 when they allowed 44 goals in 30 games and Sarachan looked to address the defensive weaknesses prior to 2005. The club brought in Honduran internationals Samuel Caballero and Ivan Guerrero, drafted 23-year-old Costa Rican youth international Gonzalo Segares and Notre Dame product Jack Stewart. Though most of those defenders performed well individually and added something to the squad, they failed to create cohesiveness with each other and Chicago's defensive veterans C.J. Brown and Jim Curtin.
"We went through a little bit where we were changing formations this year and changing personnel and that's always tough on chemistry," said defender Logan Pause, who played in a career-high 27 games (30 including playoffs) in 2005. "We're going to add some young players through the draft and hopefully they will step up and perform like Gonzalo ... and Jack Stewart did this year."
An up-and-down start to the season was highlighted by a dramatic stoppage-time victory in the club's home opener against the San Jose Earthquakes and convincing wins over Columbus and Real Salt Lake. But it wasn't all smooth sailing as Chicago dropped two early-season encounters to the Revs and was beaten easily by the MetroStars, getting shutout a combined 8-0 in those three important Eastern Conference clashes.
However, the club seemed to finally find their form in the approach to the midseason break for the 2005 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game. Sarachan's side put together its only winning streak of more than two games through the whole season with a four-game run at the end of June and beginning of July. In their last eight games before the All-Star Game, Chicago produced a 5-2-1 record in all competitions, which included a U.S. Open Cup victory on the road against the Western Mass Pioneers and a 3-1 loss to Italian powerhouse AC Milan at Soldier Field in a friendly.
"I thought we found a good rhythm in the middle part of the year, even on the road," said Sarachan. "We had a real good stretch I believe in June ... where we put together a good streak of games."
The inconsistencies would resume after the break, though, the club never posting more than two consecutive wins or losses for the remainder of the season, including the MLS Cup Playoffs. Having a young, inexperienced side likely aided in the Fire's struggles to put together a solid run. However, there were several bright spots as well, particularly in rookies Segares and Chris Rolfe.
Rolfe, a University of Dayton product, finished as the club's top scorer in 2005 with eight goals and five assists in 28 games. He was a part of the side from Opening Day, recording his first professional goal in his second appearance to help the Fire earn a draw with D.C. United on April 9. His quickness, nose for the goal and ability to strike the ball with either foot made him a constant threat, surprising defenses around the nation and even drawing the attention of U.S. national team head coach Bruce Arena. Rolfe earned his first cap on Nov. 12 in the USA's 1-1 draw with Scotland in Glasgow.
"He got a little sniff (with the national team) recently. I think there's going to be more where that came from," said Armas of the 22-year-old striker. "I think he's one of the purest finishers I've seen in this league. I'd put him up there. He's not as proven as Landon (Donovan) and the (Brian) McBrides out there, but around the goal people are going to be surprised at how well he finishes the ball. He's got this instinct that in 10 years in the league, I've not really seen."
Rolfe's offensive spark helped the Fire hold on to a playoff spot, which the Fire then took advantage of by knocking out United on their own turf. But Chicago didn't have the same result in New England, falling asleep early to let Shalrie Joseph in behind the defense to set up Clint Dempsey for the only goal of the game. In the blink of an eye, the Fire's season was over.
There is a lot to look forward to in the Windy City for 2006, though. The club will move into their new home in Bridgeview, Ill., in what promises to be one of the premier soccer stadiums in the U.S. Couple that thrill with the Fire's chance to add some depth in both defense and attack before next season and they could very well be championship contenders.
Jonathan Nierman is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
