Columbus Here I Come!

By: irish_steve | April 25th, 2009

Its 5:30am Chicago time and very soon I will be boarding 1 of 3 busses bound for Columbus, Ohio for my first and the Fire’s fourth away game of the new MLS season. This will be the first time the Fire and I have been back to Columbus since last season’s Eastern Conference Final, which brings about terrible memories for Fire fans and players alike. The Fire promised that this season things would be different, and so far, they are correct. The Fire are unbeaten this season, with 2 wins and 3 ties. Columbus on the other hand, are winless in their 5 games to date.

The Fire have no injuries to speak of and will be looking to bounce back after 2 very disappointing draws against San Jose and KC. I know its early in the season but I really feel that this game is a make or break one for the Fire. If the Fire win in Columbus, it would be massive especially after throwing away 2 points last week. If they tie, they maintain their unbeaten record and get a point on the road but if they lose against one of their biggest rivals we will see fans beginning to call for Dennis Hamlett’s head.

Brian McBride has scored 4 goals in the first 5 games of the season and Blanco played his best game ever for the Fire last weekend, a one point placing a free kick right on the head of McBride of finished brilliantly. More of the same will be needed against a Crew team who will be desperate not to continue their dire start to the season. Conde and Segares are listed as questionable for this game but from what I’m hearing, both men will start tonight.

As a Fire fan, I am expecting nothing less than 3 points. There will be a lot of disappointed people on the busses tonight if the Fire don’t do the business on the field.

Prediction: Fire squeak a 1-0 with a late Blanco stunner!!

Fire fans who wont be in Columbus can watch this game on FSC at 6pm Central Time