4-game home stand step in right direction
It would be foolish to say the Chicago Fire have completely turned things around with 22 matches remaining in the Major League Soccer season.
But after a 3-1 victory Wednesday night against Orlando City at Soldier Field — and going 2-1-1 in a four-game homestand — the Fire at least are taking a step in the right direction.
And for the first time under coach Raphael Wicky, the Fire (3-7-2, 11 points) won after conceding the game’s first goal.
“Like we always said, winning gives you the most confidence,” Wicky said. “We have to build from that, we have to keep working and believing in what we do. And we know that we can beat a lot of teams in this league. But it often depends on little details and really making this extra step and really working for the team. That’s going to be the base for the next three, four months.”
Designated player Robert Berić ended his 10-game scoreless drought, finding the back of the net for the first time since the opening five minutes of the season.
Perhaps of equal importance, the victory came against an Orlando City team that entered Wednesday’s match second in the Eastern Conference and is likely to be playing deep into the MLS Cup playoffs.
“We knew that if we just kept the faith here and kept doing the right things and keep working hard in training ... things will start to turn a little bit,” goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth said. “And over the last two or three games we’ve seen that a little bit. (It’s) something we need to continue to do and not rest and relax. Now we need to keep pushing forward and trying to get points.”
The homestand didn’t get off to a great start with a 1-0 loss to FC Cincinnati, toward the end of which fans chanted, “Wicky out.”
But the Fire’s fortunes improved in their next three matches, picking up a 3-3 draw against the Philadelphia Union, a 3-0 win against Atlanta United and Wednesday’s victory.
“That point was very important,” Sekulić said of the draw with the Union. “In that moment we wanted to win, but in the end I think it was maybe that turning point.
“But we will see, it’s just seven points. We still have (22 games remaining), so we are far from a playoff spot. We should be happy but calm.”
Formation changes Wicky made before playing the Union — switching from a 4-2-3-1 to a 3-5-2 — have resulted in nine goals in three matches, and midfielder Álvaro Medrán’s improved play largely has dictated the Fire attack.
But the Fire tightened up in the back as well, something Wicky was quick to point out.
“I’m very happy about the performance of the team over the last three games, creating and scoring a lot of goals,” Wicky said. “But also having a good structure defensively, even today. We had a great goalie who saved us in difficult moments, but that’s needed in games.”
After entering the homestand with just four points, taking seven of a possible 12 is something the Fire can build off. They head to Tennessee to play Nashville SC on July 17 before returning to Soldier Field for two matches.
Of course, the Fire are aware that maximizing their point total at home is crucial if they want to have a shot at the postseason. After Aug. 15, the Fire have just four home matches versus 11 on the road — an imbalance that puts extra pressure on performances over the next month.
“Obviously we’d like to take more points at home,” Shuttleworth said. “That being said, it’s been a tough start to the year for us. Getting two wins in a row going into an away game is big, and we can keep that confidence and try to use that momentum to get points on the road.”