After an entertaining first half from both sides the Fire ultimately concluded another match at home in much the same fashion as the previous four games at Toyota Park, without a full three points. That's not to say there weren't positives to be taken away because there were. Set piece defending was much improved after an emphasis was placed on improving the way the team approaches dead balls during the week. Offensively the side looked cohesive and prepared throughout the first forty five minutes and only another good effort from Kasey Keller kept them off the board.
Unfortunately, despite the positives, that sounds eerily similar to much of the post game analysis throughout the first eleven matches of the season. Playing well in stretches and missed opportunities have been a common theme throughout the current 10 game winless streak although there seems to be a renewed energy as a result of the coaching change last Monday.
There's still a long way to go in the MLS season but Frank Klopas has got to find a way to begin maximizing points on home turf if the Fire are to seriously contend for a playoff spot. Consistently winning at home is mark of good teams and the next two matches at Toyota Park won't be easy. Real Salt Lake and New York visit to close out the month of June.
Player Ratings
GK Sean Johnson (7) - Johnson kept Seattle from taking the lead early with a diving save of a Lamar Neagle header in the sixth minute. He recorded three saves, all in the first half but that one was by far the most difficult. Looked relaxed and in command and even improved on balls in the air.
D Gonzalo Segares (6) - Combined well with Bone on the left side in the first half but did sky a one-time chance over the cross bar from a corner kick in the 40th minute. Solid defensively on the left side.
D Yamith Cuesta (6) - Fire defenders were solid all night in keeping only the second clean sheet of the season. Cuesta and Gibbs were both strong in the middle.
D Cory Gibbs (6) - Seattle failed to register a shot on goal in the second half and set piece defending was also greatly improved as a whole. Other than the shot in the sixth minute Seattle rarely threatened in the box.
D Bratislav Ristic (6) - His best game at right back of the last three which he has started. Did get beat in the ninth minute forcing Johnson into his second save of the match. Did well on Montero once he entered the match in the second half.
M Logan Pause (6) - Played a solid game in the middle particularly in the first half as the Fire midfield seemed able to control and push forward to front runners impressively. The second half was not so good as Seattle regained possesion but rarely threatened.
M Daniel Paladini (6) - Solid effort from Paladini as well. His 27th minute long distance strike forced Keller into his best save of the night. Followed up with a shot that just missed wide two minutes later. Combined well with Pause.
M Dominic Oduro (5) - Will also create chances with pure speed, such as the run which led to a 26th minute corner kick after chasing down a ball that seemed destined for a goal kick and another run that forced a Seattle foul from 20 yards out but you'd just like to see him develop another move other than the rush to his right.
M Corben Bone (6) - A good match on the left side for the second year player. Very active first half saw Bone involved in several plays that led to scoring chances. Took over corner kick duties in Pappa's absense and actually provided better service. Moved to a withdrawn forward spot in the 54th minute when Nyarko entered the match before being subbed out in the 67th.
F Diego Chaves (6) - Did well to move the ball in the first half but continued his spell of bad luck on the finishing end. Forced Keller into another big save in the 31st minute and had another shot on goal in the 12th that was easily handled by the Seattle keeper. Once he was subbed out in the 54th minute the offense seemed to stall. Movement and chances were minimal from that point on.
F Cristian Nazirit (5) - Decent effort from Nazirit as well causing some problems with his size. Downside was no clear cut chances on net and took a badly struck free kick attempt from 20 yards out in the 37th minute.
M Patrick Nyarko (5) - Entered the game in the 54th minute for Chaves and slotted into left mid as Bone moved forward. Did not appear hesitant after recovering from concussion symptoms and did manage a few cross attempts but none were of a dangerous variety.
F Gaston Puearari (5) - Came into the match in the 67th minute for Bone and touches were hard to come by until a last second cross in extra time narrowly missed Oduro racing toward Keller's net.
F Orr Barouch (5) - Subbed in for Nazirit in the 78th but like Puerari didn't see much of the ball. The match seemed destined for a 0-0 draw at that point.
C Frank Klopas (5) - Set piece defending appeared markedly improved over the first eleven matches and the team seemed to have a good flow in the first half. The plan of attack against Seattle also worked but substitutions early in the second half changed the dynamic of the side and the team was not the same after Chaves' departure. "We tried to push the game in the second half with the guys we brought in. I believe in my players and that's why you have subs. We didn't get the win but I felt there were alot of positives going away from this game," said Klopas after the match.
You can listen to his entire post game press conference here.
Next Up
The opener of Sporting Kansas City's Livestrong Stadium on Thursday night. Another stadium opener won't be easy even against a struggling KC team missing several players to international duty.
05 Jun, 2011--
Source: http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/chicago-fire-confidential/2011/06/fire-0-sounders-0---recap-and-ratings.html
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