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Fire Tue Jul 01 2008
Punches and Bodies Flying
It was an eventful weekend for The Chicago Fire. First, two of their top players got into a fist fight. As Ives Galarcep, points out, if you’re Wilman Conde and you want to leave the Chicago Fire, maybe the best way to go about it is taking a few swings at Blanco. But then again, if Conde really wanted out, maybe he wouldn't have played so well Saturday night. Blanco played too, by the way, and they seemed to have the air cleared enough that you sure couldn't tell they had to be pulled apart the day before.
Another starter Saturday night we hadn’t seen much from this year was Andy Herron. He's never been my favorite player, but after you have to feel for the guy. After being called back a bit late to the team he led in scoring in 2006, he hasn't really gotten much of a chance to play this year due to the early season success. With the team on a losing streak and the goals suddenly drying up, Herron finally got his chance against the Earthquakes. And in he looked every bit ready to take that chance as he connected with a spectacular bicycle kick. Only, the shot went straight to the goalie and Herron landed awkwardly on his head which caused a flurry from the ENT, some nervous moments in the crowd, and finally an ovation from Herron as he thankfully got up and left the field under his own power. His replacement, Chad Barrett, tried to top him minutes later with a bicycle kick effort of his own. Unfortunately, in true 2007 Chad Barrett form he missed the ball completely. At least he stuck the landing better than Herron.
And that was pretty much the end of the excitement as the Fire could only manage a 0-0. It stops the losing streak, at least, but you have to start wondering where the next goal will come from if they can't light up an expansion team at home. Hopefully they'll fare better against their minor league US Open Cup competition the Cleveland City Stars tonight. But they should be wary. The Fire went out against a minor league team last year, and the Cleveland team does feature former Fire player Floyd Franks.
