Match Musings: FCD vs. Chicago Fire 3/19/11

Opening night!  I have to admit, it feels so good to be back in the thick of things.  Speaking of the thick of things…plan on tuning in here every week for a little thing I like to call “Match Musings”.  Basically it’s just me, spouting off my armchair quarterback (or perhaps linking midfielder if you prefer) noise about the previous night’s match.  Last season I tended to go more of the match report route, which was adequate, but I think we’ll spend a little more time this year focused on the players and over/under-reactions.  So…let’s get to it.

Match 1

FCD 1 – 1 Chicago Fire

Game grades: (FYI, I start at 5 and work up/down.)

Kevin Hartman – 9 – Are you surprised?  Everyday, this guy makes the trade with KC look like an armed robbery.  The goal was unfortunate, but not really his fault.  Truth be told…he’s not in the game, we’re 0-1.
Zach Loyd – 7 – The assist was a thing of beauty from the moment he made a run to the corner.  I’m not secretive about my distrust/distaste for Benitez, and if Loyd keeps putting in solid performances game in and game out, I’m going to start shouting it from the rooftops.
Brek Shea – 3 – I like Brek Shea.  I really do.  That said, I saw nothing that told me he was ready to be a centerback.  He’s got all the physical attributes to fit in well there, but he has a lot of maturing to do.  The red card was unfortunate, but likely deserved.  And it wasn’t the first time he had been embarrassingly beaten.
George John – 6 – He’s not fully fit, that much is obvious.  But no major mistakes, and fought hard.
Jackson – 8 – Jackson was everywhere, disrupting everything.  Made more than one hair-pulling clearance and challenged everyone for the ball.  My MOTM.
Daniel Hernandez – 6 – He’s not fit, but he’s a fighter.  He’ll make noise, but can he hold up over the course of the season?
Eric Avila – 5 – Quiet night for one of the fan faves.  If Avila ever wants to challenge for a spot in the starting 11, he’s going to have to start making waves.
Eric Alexander – 6 – Here’s an example of a positive quiet night.  Very solid linking play, and never gave a ball away that I noticed.
Marvin Chavez – 7 – Could’ve been an 8 or 9 if he hadn’t disappeared in the 2nd half.  That said, I’m starting to agree with Schellas’ statements about him being the best man on the pitch when he’s on.
David Ferreira – 7 – So another year of drawing multiple fouls and multiple defenders.  I get the feeling that’s just how he likes it.
Milton Rodriguez – 6 – The goal was a sitter, but I’ve seen those missed.  Props on finishing it off.  Other than that, he was pretty quiet throughout the match.  It’s apparent though, judging by his goal tonight and his performance thus far in the preseason, he’s not ready to give up his starting spot.

Substitutions:

Ugo Ihemelu – 5 - Very obviously not fit, but didn’t seem to be laboring out there.  I’m not positive he would’ve come in if it hadn’t been for the Shea yellow.  With Shea out for the next match, it seems like we’ll probably see him again soon.  We’ll have to see if he can go the full 90′ against San Jose on Saturday.
Ruben Luna – 6 – I really like Luna off the bench.  He’s seen success at every level, and I’m really curious to see if that follows him.  He definitely has some fire in him, and he doesn’t like the story of a local kid making it big.
Andrew Jacobson – 4 – Pretty sloppy passing from Jacobson, and in the short time he was on the pitch, he managed to pick up a yellow card.  I like his size and toughness, but I’m not ready to call him Hernandez’s successor quite yet.

Overall, it was the perfect representation of a very early season game.  Passing was sloppy for the most part, and players were flying and falling all over the place.  Props though to FCD for fighting until the end, especially down a man for the last 35-40 minutes.

Did you watch the game?  What are your thoughts?

Category: Game Analysis