All I Need Is Everything: Fire-Toronto halftime

Well, that’s more like it. Everything but the payoff – I haven’t seen the Fire play this coherently, and (importantly to this aesthete) beautifully in a long time. That said, we need points; the screw is tightening on both teams, and the second half could go any of a hundred different ways.

Quick prediction: Someone will get sent off in the second half, probably after the first goal when desperation sets in. Annnd a few notes:

-The Shape: De los Cobos looks to have fashioned a tactic that’s something like a lopsided 4-2-4, or possibly a 3-4-3. Ljungberg and Castillo are interchanging a great deal, FL staying a bit more stationary, while John plays a classic target role. Banner’s work rate on the left flank is on display, as he’s covering the flank both ways. Robinson has looked fantastic as the more aggressive of the centerbacks. And Logan Pause is winning me over as the anchor of midfield – he’ll never be Xabi Alonso, but he works his butt off and plays simply, allowing more expressive players to do their thing.

– Waving the Banner: I’ve spent the better part of two seasons wishing Mike Banner to the USL. I can admit when I’m wrong – Banner’s looked fantastic up and down the left touchline tonight. He had one lovely moment around the 30th minute when he stepped around pressure and hit a sharp diagonal ball maybe 70 yards right to the feet of Nyarko, and hasn’t balanced the scales with moments of braindeath.

Oh please, oh please, fellas, play until the final whistle tonight. Oh please, oh please.

Category: Chicago Fire