The red-hot Chicago Fire will look to maintain its status as the best team in MLS by beating D.C. United tonight at Toyota Park (8:30 p.m., FSC).
These teams met a month ago at RFK Stadium and the Fire dominated the action, beating D.C. United in their own stadium, 2-0, back on May 8. D.C. is playing a little better than they were back then, but still haven’t found the type of form expected of them before the season.
Chicago is coming off a bye week and should be rested, but the concern will be whether the Fire can step up their form at home, which hasn’t been as good as their road form this season.
If you will be watching the match, and will be online, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play by play in the comments section below.
Enjoy the match.
The goal by Emilio was impressive. He cut inside of two players before unleashing a shot that was so decisive it was like there was no question in his mind he was going to score and win the game for DC. I think the cards to Gallardo and Namoff angered and motivated DC.
chicago looked tactically lost when it went to 10 men… as a chicago fan, bad loss.. very bad loss, congrats to dc, 3 well earned points.
Fatigue has been notable in the last 10+ minutes of the game.
Final whistle is blown and a BIG road win and 3 points for DCU!!
Wisc – I would watch the end of match, because it was open, exciting end to end action which unfortunately is rare in MLS.
Rolfe tries to crash his way into DC’s box. Doesn’t make it. Free kick by Chicago. Poor execution and the final whistle blows. DC wins 2-1 after being down to 9 men.
DCU with a 2nd goal in the 3rd minute of stoppage time as Emilio beats Busch to the near post from just inside the top right corner of the 18 yard box.
Great goal by Emilio! 4 mins of stoppage. Chicago tries to come right back but completely muff the cross into the box. Goal kick DC.
Yeah I do. But it doesn’t beat it watching live.
thanks guys.. this is better!!
Chicago coming forward again. Chicago passing around just outside the DC box, broken up and Emilio on a break ties the game!
If you have FSC, it is being replayed tomorrow afternoon and Monday night.
Exciting game with end to end action. Action may be staying mostly in DC’s end now though.
Its been a while since I last saw a game with 10 v 9.
God, I wish I was watching this game!
Namoff on Blanco again! Yellow card, second of the game and on the same person. Namoff gone and DCU down to 10 men.
That makes 5 red cards in MLS action tonight.
Side note – RSL & KC are still 0-0 in the 64th and Aristotle, still no one else has a comment on that thread.
Gonzales sends a nice cross into the box which finds Carr who makes contact with his head but the header, even though on target, is weak and easily saved. Missed opportunity for Chicago.
Sorry Chente, but it’s a touchy situation since we just saw the same kind of thing in the Columbus vs SJ game.
Corner kick from DC goes into the box and everyone falls down as the ball passes right through the box. Chicago tries to break and Namoff fouls Blanco who demands a yellow card for Namoff and gets it.
Damn, that deflected shot just about Busch.
Very dangerous sequence of plays by DCU, but unfortunately could not find the net.
DCM:
I don’t think I agree. I think there has to be a distinction between committing an act fully and making a gesture like you’re going to. If you’re right I think players in Gallardo’s situation should make that head butt like Zinedine Zidane’s and at least get the satisfaction of the retaliation they are going to be punished for.
enough with the red cards already… can someone say a bit about how the game is going. who’s controlling possession and so on?
It’s unfortunate to say the least that Prideaux was given the opportunity to knee, stomp & stand over Gallardo like he was. That would have been the end of it if the ref took control as we both stated earlier. You just can not retaliate the way Gallardo did and not expect a red.
Now come on DCU, get a second!!
Aristotle – I agree with your description. I just believe when you lead with your head like Gallardo did, you should get a red card regardless.
Come on DC!
Brant:
If you’re still there. Do you think Mexico should have given their head coaching job to a Mexican?
The double red cards bring back the WC ’06 final. I’m convinced that the 4th offical watched a replay which I thought they weren’t allowed to do. Why else did he wait 3 minutes to wave over the ref. It sure wasn’t the linesman. I’m sure the ref will lie in his report about that.
That elbow to Emilio was worse than the so called head butt by Gallardo.
DCM:
Apart from the initial foul Prideaux wouldn’t even let Gallardo get up. He pushed him down into the ground when he was trying to get up and then kicked at him. I don’t think that’s even. If Gallardo was going to get sent off he should have at least executed the head butt. As it was, Gallardo just kind of pushed his head at him and barely brushed his chin. If he had really wanted to head butt him he could have. I’m tired of the referees treating a gesture the same as the actual act.
Aristotle – I agree. Like I said earlier, if you leave it to the players to police the game these things will happen.
Some how DCU finally puts the ball in the goal and it’s 1-1.
Justice!
The referee should have been carding Prideaux before Gallardo even got up. If he had, Gallardo would still be on the field right now. Now he’s wrecked the game and ruined DCU’s chances in their next game.
Prideaux hacked Gallardo and when Gallardo stood up he put his head into Prideaux’s chest/chin. So both got well deserved reds.
Brant:
This is ridiculous. We were just talking about this. Gallardo gets mugged and responds with more of gesture of a headbutt than an actual headbutt, and he is severely punished and determined to be the villain. Same old crap.
What happened?
YELLOW [50th minute]: Devon McTavish(DC)
Red card?!
OK – saw the replay. Retaliator always gets punished. Gallardo did get stomped on…
Chicago Sub:
ON – Calen Carr
OFF – Justin Mapp
Sven, really? Why? Checking out the quality of MLS or looking to bring Blanco back?
great for soccer, after the tornados its crisp and clear.
supposedly sven is in the house as well, put on a show guys
How are the conditions? I’ve just got the Gamecast & the Match Tracker.
great crowd, great game so far. wish every game was this fast paced with good attacking soccer
very enjoyable game thus far 1-0 chicago at half
YELLOW [37th minute]: Bakary Soumare
YELLOW [29th minute]: Blanco
GOAL [27th minute]: Barrett(Blanco)
Gallardo missed a good oppurtunity to score 12 min.
The first of many yellows that usally come when these two get together.
blano put on a good shot, but an easy save by the goalie in the 3 min.
Watching it
I’m stuck at work (projectionist). Anyone keeeping up with the game tonight?