The Circus Comes to Town!

By: irish_steve | September 25th, 2008

After watching the Fire get dismantled by Dallas last Sunday I decided that it would be better if I forgot about the game completely and not write about it. So with that being said lets move on to the next game which happens to be tonight against everyones favorite team to make fun of: The LA Galaxy. The Galaxy are coming off a 5-2 win over DC but that win was their first in 13 games. The Fire have lost 3 of their last 4 and are wilting at the wrong time. Everyone is talking about how “the Galaxy are back in the playoff race and are on the up” but I dont buy it. 1 win in their last 13 games is not playoff material and their free scoring attack could be shut down by the best back 4 in the league tonight. The main question for the Fire’s defense is if they can shut down Donovan and Beckham. The Fire looked lost without Bakary in the back line against Dallas and his return tonight should solidify the defense once more.

Logan Pause’s probable return to the midfield will be a massive boost for the Fire. Diego was a non factor in the midfield against Dallas. Pause has been the most consistent performer this season along with John Thorrington and both of these players will be needed tonight to shut down LA’s “Big 2.” Blanco had another terrible performance against Dallas and even after being subbed for his terrible performance, he is and will always be the first name on the team sheet. Blanco is showing his age and his presence on the field is hurting the Fire.

Everyones eyes will be on McBride, Blanco, Beckham and Donovan tonight and it is up to the rest of the Fire team to step up. If you eliminate these 4 players from the equation, the Fire have a MUCH better team on paper than LA but as of right now LA’s “Big 2″ are playing much better than the Fire’s.

Prediction: 2-2 (John Thorrington likes scoring against LA, I see him scoring again tonight)