• Eastern rivals Chicago Fire and New York Red Bulls meet
• No Henry or Marquez for New York on their road trip
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McCarty doing well in this half. He's deeper now, since Pearce moved across to take Miller's position and Ballouchy slotted in up front. Better shape. Now New York come forward again. It's intercepted, but Chicago's counters temporarily a little more disjointed. Let's see what they can do.
Well this is interesting. McCarty races into the box to meet Ballouchy's corner and heads the ball own and past Johnson to silence the crowd. Holgersson may have got the final touch. But this game is set up nicely now.
Chicago 1 New York 1 ( MCCARTY!)
...headed clear by Gargan, but New York force the ball back and Solli harries for another corner on the other side. Good pressure here...
Ballouchy (on for Miller at half time btw) threads one through for Cooper on the edge of the box and he fashions a shot from nothing that forces Jhnson to stretch wide and parry. Corner...
Now it's pressure from New York again. A Pearce cross is cut out by Anibaba and Chicago will go to the other end. Cat and mouse at the moment.
Still 1-0 to Chicago, and now they have some possession nd are trying to move it around to tire out New York in the heat.
Berry ushers Richards out of play as New York try to free him over the top. Some stats coming up on screen to show how dominate Chicago have been at Toyota Park against New York in recent times. Not pleasant reading for Backe, though his team are trying to change things here.
Better start from New York - much faster movement. Cooper gets free on the right but his cross drops harmlessly at the far side of the Chicago box. Maybe he was looking for Cooper...
New York try some interplay of their own in the Chicago half. Lindpere in particular looks to be trying to move the ball quickly, but when it finally comes to Solli on the edge of the box, his shot is miscued.
We're off again. New York get us under way.
Just time to say that my wife, who I once falsely accused on these blogs of stealing the last soda in the fridge, has left some delicious ice tea in the fridge. OK, we're good, right?
Both Chicago and New York suffered cup disappointment during the international break, prompting one New York fan, the Viking Army's Jason Corliss (see 29 mins) to seek refuge in his record collection. His story on New York's exit to Harrisburg City Islanders is here and well worth a read.
As always, reading an intelligent person trying to make sense of the fact that they not only consent to, but actively encourage what this game does to them, is an uncomfortable look in the mirror (minus the intelligent bit, obviously...).
So far as keeping life in perspective goes, and considering todays' hosts, I'm rather a fan of Chicago's Section 8 and their Tifo's, which by soccer standards tend to be positively enlightened. When Chicago legend and all round man of the people Studs Terkel died, Section 8 members honored him with a banner, which as far as I'm concerned makes them all class. Another one of their efforts is above.
More reading in a minute - as I misspell my way through the goal kicks and stoppages of the second half...
A lively enough first half, with most of the dangerous play coming from the interchanging movement of the Chicago front four. Pearce struggled to pick up Grazzini and all too frequently was bypassed by Nyarko and Pappa while looking for him. Oduro had a lot of joy playing on the shoulder of the last man and should maybe have had a second.
New York s-l-o-w-l-y came into the game as the half went on, but McCarty looked more hemmed in the advanced midfield position than a fulcrum of attack and the attempts on goal were rare. Interestingly it looked like the Red Bulls had a t least been trying some set piece plays at corners, but no success as yet from them. They'll need to shake things up at the half and do something to join up their attack and defense. Way too much space between McCarty and Pearce.
Chicago could do with another of course and may decide to reshuffle their defense a little if New York get any more joy. Up front they'll be delighted with the movement and space they're making - Klopas will want more of the same...
One and only minute of stoppage time. McCarty bundles his way through to feed Solli as New York try to get going. They fuss and fret on the edge of the box, but eventually Chicago cut it out and that will be that for the first 45. HALF TIME: Chicago 1 New York 0. Half time thoughts in a minute.
Chicago have a free kick just inside the New York half. Grazzini will take it...short. Pappa finds Gargan who returns it neatly to Pappa on the edge of the box, but his shot is just over the bar. Dangerous stuff from Chicago.
...Conde is at the far post in anticipation of a deep one. It's duly hit long to him and he gets to it, but can only direct his header over the bar... Still 1-0 to Chicago.
Nyarko runs at Holgersson in the box but the Swede shepherds him out for a goal kick. New York move up to the other end and try to open up some space. Lindpere finds Richards smartly, and he earns a corner...
Richards has a half decent shot, but nothing doing for New York - then in the next sequence a long cross finds Solli, who catches his volley first time, forcing Johnson to tip it wide for a long, deep, wasted corner.
Miller lofts an aimless ball to the right that's easily intercepted and now Chicago stroll forward looking for space. There's plenty of it in the middle...
Gargan picks up a yellow for coming in hard on Miller. First booking.
Chicago try to switch the play with a long ball, but they've had more joy from swift interplay and New york break. Miller and Lindpere combine without ever forcing a chance. Cicago break in turn and once again a newt through ball from Grazzini finds Oduro onside(?) but he can't reach the ball before Meara. Lively stuff at both ends.
Conde is down - looks like he needs a change of boots. The surface is playing very quickly, due, apparently, to a concert on the field last night. Conde has to depart to replace his boots. Arlo discussing the potential signings for both teams after the 27th June window opens. An attacker for Chicago and a "Cheshire cat grin" from Hans Backe on who they might sign (though that's the same expression he occasionally uses for 3-0 defeats so be careful in interpreting that). Still Chicago 1 New York 0.
Klopas "kicking every ball" as they say, on the sidelines. Jason Corliss aka @jc_verbatim (of whom more at half time) from the New York Viking Army, tweets:
"@KidWeil #rbny training sessions have more bite and precision. This team is still mentally on int'l break. Ugh."
Right on cue, Chicago finish their own mini-rest and start to press again through Grazzini and Pappa.
Now Chicago come forward again but for once Oduro doesn't have the best of the New York back line and gives up a goal kick.
Richards gets free round the outside of Gargan and cuts back for Cooper, who attempts an overhead kick. That's Kenny Cooper attempting an overhead kick... Eventually a New York shot flies over. They're definitely waking up a bit though.
New York perking up a little bit by the look of it, but this is a hot day and both teams will have to take turns to ease up a little and Chicago playing within themselves now.
...some chaos in the box as New York try to work a training field corner, which eventually ricochets to Grazzini, who should head clear, but inexplicably tries to nod it back to his own player - but only succeeds in setting up Lindpere for a turn and shot that flies over the bar. Still 1-0 to Chicago.
The inexperienced Chicago back line have barely been stretched so far. At the other end Grazzini tries another one of his little sand wedge chips but Barklage is able to head it back to Meara.
Daniel Joseph is back:
"@KidWeil Well, this is going well. How hard is it to keep Dax at defensive mid?"
It does seem a little puzzling. Solli wins a corner...
McCarty picks up the ball in an advanced position and spreads it wide to Solli but his cross is overhit. Sad to say for New York, that looked like their most positive move. Very anonymous so far.
Nyarko wriggles free on the right and some sharp interplay with Grazzini and Oduro stretches New York again. Holgersson gets the final touch, but Chicago are getting a lot of joy with this movement in the final third.
Grazzini drops deep to pick up the ball and fires a shot on target that Meara has to get to his right to save. Pearce is struggling to pick him up - it's a big ask in his first game in that position.
Barklage jogs forward with the ball as New York try to press a little. Some tentative interplay ends with Solli overlapping on the outside but over-running the ball and Chicago get a goal kick.
New York carved open again as Oduro finds himself with way too much space in the box. He cuts back to the unmarked Pardo who rushes in and blazes over. Their defense needs to settle or this could get ugly, early.
Chicago stroking the ball around a little at the back and the tempo dips for a moment. Tom Lane tweets me with some tactical insight:
"@KidWeil Going 1-0 down in the first few minutes is one of the worst things to do, now New York have The Fire and the crowd to contend with"
They do seem very happy right now.
...New York get it clear and break. Richards flies down the right but Cooper is clattered as he's about to feed him. New York do nothing form the free kick and it's still Chicago 1 New York 0.
...Gargan fails to get a header on the corner, but the ball is picked up by Pappa who dummies past Holgersson and picks up a foul to the right of the box...
The movement of the Chicago frontmen is causing problems for that reconfigured Red Bulls defense. Holgersson has to stretch to push a ball over the top for Oduro out for a corner...
New York by the way, were unbeaten in 50 games after scoring first, and had become used to starting quickly in games, so this is a really bad start for them. Grazzini looking lively early on.
We said Grazzini's area might be key and he found the space to reach Nyarko who put his header smartly beyond Meara. Chicago needed that first goal - they've made things hard on themselves too often this season.
Chicago 1-0 New York NYARKO!
Section 8 in full voice (and brass by the sounds of it). New York have a free kick in their own half, which Chicago defend comfortably.
Chicago kick off, trying to extend their run of success over New York at Toyaota Park (meant to mention that in good omens). Straight away, Oduro is released by a sweet little ball by Grazzini, but he's offside.
Klopas looking crisp, Backe looking sports-casual. And we're nearly off...
Meanwhile @lukeah is bemused:
"@KidWeil @GdnUSsports after the EURO match everyone left, now it's just me watching the #rbny match, what gives?"
The lightweights, Luke. The lightweights give. Stand tall my friend, for you understand.
(Quirky, emo, acoustic guitar anthem by the way. That's a first. Classy to the last, Arlo lets it slide. Classless to the last, I don't.)
Boiling hot day in Chicago by the look of it.
Arlo White has just reminded us that Kenny Cooper has scored in his last four MLS starts.
Chicago Fire:
Johnson; Gargan, Anibaba, Berry, Segares; Pause (C), Pardo; Nyarko, Grazzini, Pappa; Oduro
New York Red Bulls:
Meara, Barklage, Holgersson, Conde, Miller, Pearce, Solli, McCarty, Lindpere, Richards, Cooper
So Friedrich doesn't recover from injury in time to make the Chicago side. Pappa comes straight back in from international duty though - and he, Nyarko and Grazzini will try to torment that New York back line. Up against them, former Fire player Wilman Conde is in at the heart of the New York defense, while Pearce will move into the holding midfield role McCarty played with such success in Marquez's earlier absence. That area may be the key to the game as Pearce adjusts. On a side note, shame to see Connor Lade out of the New York side - he can feel a little hard done by after stepping in to replace the injured Miller.
So, I had brief hopes of getting out of the house today...
Yesterday afternoon David Nelson (@ivanomartin) tweeted:
"@KidWeil RBNY viewing (w beer & stadium seating) at Upper 90 Bklyn, if @Busfield - Dome unavailable."
Not being a drinker, but being a big fan of stadium seating, I duly headed down to check out the scene in downtown Brooklyn during yesterday's Euro games - and very charming it was. Upper 90 is a soccer store that also features a mini-indoor kids training pitch, which for the course of the Euros has been transformed into a very impressive viewing arena for those games - and it's also hosting the official Red Bulls viewing party for this afternoon's match, replete with a large contingent of the Viking Army.
I did come very close to doing this minute-by-minute from there, but sadly other Guardian duties got in the way, so I'm watching from my usual seat in Parker Field at ParkerPlex Park (brought to you in association with I Can't Believe it's not Euros).
Needless to say, the cats, who had been looking forward to a quiet afternoon working on their Game of Thrones fan fiction, are dismayed. Not half as dismayed as I am that they're my only company for the afternoon. So do be kind enough to throw me a morsel of human contact by tweeting and emailing me from wherever you are, though try to go easy on how much fun it is...
Marly Rivera @MarlyRiveraESPN gets the idea:
"@KidWeil Currently in traffic headed to Toyota Park :("
That sort of thing... extra kudos for sad-face emoticons. OK, team news in a sec.
Both sides could do with a win. Chicago need to steady the ship after their recent dip in form and with the Eastern leaders, including New York, beginning to pull away. The teams who started the day around Chicago, New England and Columbus, failed to gain much ground in a 0-0 tie yesterday afternoon, but ominously Houston have leaped over them with their win over Dallas yesterday, as their home game dividend begins to kick in. Chicago will be taking to the road for 5 out of 7 games shortly and could do with arresting the slide now.
New York also have a tough little run starting today, with a midweek game against Vancouver to follow and a home rivalry game against DC United next weekend. DC memorably beat them 4-1 in Washington (in a defeat that inexplicably triggered New York's recent winning streak) and have since gone on to leapfrog New York at the top of the Eastern standings. They also won yesterday, if luckily, against Philadelphia, while Sporting KC also beat Toronto in another Eastern 6 pointer - so New York won't want to lose more ground on the leading 2.
Straight away, MBM regular Daniel Joseph (@BDanielJoseph) tweets an early fear about today's game:
"@KidWeil I believe Dax misses the next game with another yellow. If he is going to get one, I hope it is now and not against Vancouver."
Which I think is a reference to that forthcoming game against DC United.
IT'S BACK! After two weeks of full scale retinal assault trying to follow the USMNT's red and white striped wonders zigzag around my screen, while they attempted to scare Antigua, or the rather more sedate activity of watching unattended cameras slowly drift their gaze up to the sky, during grainy half-time feeds from US Open Cup games, MLS IS BACK! And as always, it's very sure of itself.
Best major international tournament in recent memory...Pah! Nothing but a curtain raiser for this afternoon's main course of Chicago Fire vs New York Red Bulls. The Red Bulls in particular have previous form with this sort of tempting fate - their 3-2 victory at Philadelphia last month kicked off moments after yet another minor foreign scuffle had ended in the same score. Naturally Kenny Cooper's "shot heard round the world" took all the headlines (much to Sergio Aguero's dismay) and today he'll be lumbering sweetly on to the Toyota Park field in an attempt to put the Euro 2012 Group of Death into perspective.
Chicago Fire have an upstager of their own in Marco "party poopa" Pappa, who in Guatemala City last week, watched the US make a hash of a dangerous free kick at one end of the pitch, before nonchalantly scoring a sweet equalizer from the corresponding position a minute later.
.
Chicago would be glad of a similar bubble-bursting exercise here today, as New York arrive in town on a 6 game unbeaten streak in league play, while Chicago have lost 3 out of their last 4. They could also do with Oduro discovering some of his earlier season form - in fact no Chicago forward has scored since Oduro's winning goal against Sporting KC over a month ago.
There are some decent omens for Chicago though. After a run of 5 wins, New York labored to a 1-1 home draw against Chivas in their last MLS game. Having come back from injury to look off the pace in that game, Henry is out for both this match and the Vancouver game in midweek - so rather than terrorizing the Fire defense he'll be at home studying DC United videos for his mooted comeback game (and definitely not watching the Euros while listening to light jazz...). Rafa Marquez is out too, though many New York fans may perk up considerably at that news. Finally, Chicago's Arne Friedrich may be back at some stage of the game, to steady a defense that has been let down by too many lapses in concentration recently - a trait I can wholly identify with.
More build up and team news soon, but for now tweet me your thoughts to @KidWeil or email me at graham.parker.freelance@guardian.co.uk and let's astonish the footballing world. Again. Read More [category Sport][tags MLS, Football, Sport, US sports]
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