Saturday April 21 3.30pm vs Chicago pregame

[Jack]

The unfortunate reality of relying so heavily on older players

[jaxul]

The unfortunate reality of relying so heavily on older players

....and not having enough depth. Injuries will happen and the teams with the most depth will survive in the end.

[jloome]

Uh.. You do realize Aceval is and was playing CB right? He just might come across as a midfielder because he is more interested in attack then defense. He looks sluggish all game on the backend. Never pushing full tilt... but the second he has some space to move forward he's jolting. Hell even when we win a free kick close. He gets to the spot faster then he's ever chased down a striker....

No, he's only been a CB for the past two seasons. Before that he was a LB and an occasional winger, sometimes a holder.

Also, Soolsma is one of the better tacklers on our team and understands tactical movement because of his pedigree. He's also not a natural winger; he converted there from striker when he joined TFC. So playing centrally as a midfielder probably wouldn't be difficult for him.

To me, it would be a bit of a waste, as he's a better winger, due to his guile with the ball.

[ag futbol]

Per Larson on the twitter, so far in practice: Frings in the back line. JDG, Stinson and Avila in the midfield

Sounds like an entirely reasonable choice IMO. That being said, Stinson will have to pick it up a few notches as he's looked sluggish so far this year.

[DangerRed]

Hearing rumors that Koov is out after hurting self in training. Anyone hear the same?

[ACSertL]

Does anyone know if the German centerback Arne Friedrich signed as a DP for Chicago?
I think he will be playing for Chicago this weekend (he played his first game for Chicago in their last match).
If not, why didn't Frings ask him to sign with Toronto!!!!!!!

From all that I've heard Friedrich is not on a DP contract. He would have looked pretty good in the TFC back line.

[Jack]

....and not having enough depth. Injuries will happen and the teams with the most depth will survive in the end.

In MLS, DPs aren't really replaceable by depth players. It's not like you can keep someone on the bench who can step up to replace a DP striker and expect the same quality, or even close to the same quality. Our whole league lacks depth, but TFC in particular is not deep.

[Cashcleaner]

The Fire is coming off a 1-1 draw against Houston at home and before that a 2-0 lose to Colorado away. They actually only have one win this season (against Philly) so it's not like we're up against a juggernaut here tomorrow. However, it's very well-rested team who've already enjoyed a bye-week prior to the game against Houston. Chicago is gonna be a tough opponent.

[Roogsy]

And the return of Rolfe might give them a boost. It won't be an easy game. With him back and DK out, I am leaning more towards a draw than a win. Still, of games that are winnable, I would say this is one of the best chances.

[Chevy]

Aren't all games winnable?

[KRO]

And the return of Rolfe might give them a boost. It won't be an easy game. With him back and DK out, I am leaning more towards a draw than a win. Still, of games that are winnable, I would say this is one of the best chances.

Apparently Rolfe was also injured in training and will be out for two weeks.

[pekduck]

^

yep

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...eading-weekend

7) How long can the Fire wait for Chris Rolfe?
NBC Sports Preview: TOR vs CHI


The Fire showed that they could pull off a bit of last-minute acquisition magic as the MLS transfer window closed earlier this week, bringing one of their old favorites back from Europe to add a new dimension to their front line. Rolfe, however, rolled his ankle during his first week in training and won't play against Toronto FC on Saturday. Frank Klopas & Co. will have to play the waiting game at least another week.

[Auzzy]

Apparently Rolfe was also injured in training and will be out for two weeks.

Never want to wish an injury on anyone... but thank-you thank-you thank-you.

[Roogsy]

Apparently Rolfe was also injured in training and will be out for two weeks.

Suckas!

Well then...come on 3 points!

[OgtheDim]

Koev and Rolfe both out at the same time............its that cosmic balance thing.

[Couchy81]

I'm hoping the return of Frings will push them just enough to win it, since that seemed to work last year. Also I'm going with a soccer/tfc newbie, would be nice if he saw a win his first match ever.

[Pookie]

It was a gorgeous 12th of May
Chicago Fire we did play
4 games in our history
And we hadn't scored a single goal

But that was all about to change
As Dichio took to the stage...


My how things have changed, eh?

I think everyone's expectations should be clearly on 3 points and nothing less.

[Richard]

It was a gorgeous 12th of May
Chicago Fire we did play
4 games in our history
And we hadn't scored a single goal

But that was all about to change
As Dichio took to the stage...


My how things have changed, eh?

I think everyone's expectations should be clearly on 3 points and nothing less.

I agree, they need to make this a statement game.

[Abou Sky]

I agree, they need to make this a statement game.

Avila tweeted that he just got a tattoo, wtf? He couldn't wait until Sunday?

[glaze]

I have a really good feeling about tommorow. The forecast has gotten better, its a saturday game, we showed some life last week, Frings is back. 2-0 TFC, with both being scored on the south end.

[Roogsy]

The Frings comments in the Sun's Wolstatt article seems to point to him playing on the backline instead of midfield like some were hoping. Looks like JDG & Dunfield in midfield.

[Cashcleaner]

Koev and Rolfe both out at the same time............its that cosmic balance thing.

Yeah, but remember that Soolsma is injured as well. Luckily, the inclusion of Frings helps mitigate quite a few weaknesses, though.

[ManUtd4ever]

I see the weather is right on schedule.

[bigredone]

Emory and Henry both starting? Why the hell not with Aceval in the middle.

[Ajax TFC]

No, he's only been a CB for the past two seasons. Before that he was a LB and an occasional winger, sometimes a holder.

Also, Soolsma is one of the better tacklers on our team and understands tactical movement because of his pedigree. He's also not a natural winger; he converted there from striker when he joined TFC. So playing centrally as a midfielder probably wouldn't be difficult for him.

To me, it would be a bit of a waste, as he's a better winger, due to his guile with the ball.

Soolsma came here as a winger. If my memory serves me correctly, in the interview right after he got signed he said that his position is right winger "I can also play striker, but that is not my position". Unfortunately TFC's video archives don't go back that far, so I can't link it.

[ManUtd4ever]

Cann played extremely well last week and deserves to start ahead of Emory. I would like to see an all Canadian central defense pairing of Cann and Henry as the first choice in the starting lineup moving forward, which would allow Frings to move back to his natural position as the defensive midfield anchor.

[Ajax TFC]

Avila tweeted that he just got a tattoo, wtf? He couldn't wait until Sunday?

probably figures that he wont play anyways, so why wait? That being said, he better fucking be played

[Dv23]

Here's my money-back guaranteed TFC Gameday Prediction. 2-1, Toronto.

[ryan]

Here's my money-back guaranteed TFC Gameday Prediction. 2-1, Toronto.

Money back eh?

I'll call you after the match when I sadly look at my bankroll.

[Gallade]

2-0 TFC. after 2-1 Spurs. this is a day of changing fortunes