Almost unthinkable in July, the Chicago Fire is now one result away from making the MLS playoffs. As many writers and pundits have noted, Cuauhtemoc Blanco’s arrival has had much to do with the turnaround, as has the appointment of Juan Carlos Osorio as Fire head coach. But Ian Plenderleith of USSoccerPlayers says that the return from injury of right-winger Chris Rolfe shouldn’t be underestimated, either.
Before missing 11 games due to an ankle injury, Rolfe had scored four goals and notched three assists for the 3-2-1 Fire, which then slumped to a dismal 1-6-3 record before the All-Star break. With Rolfe (and Blanco) in the lineup, the Fire improved to a 3-2-6 record and is now looking to solidify its place in the MLS post-season.
Not that a 3-2-6 record is the kind that wins championships, but Plenderleith says those stats don’t tell the whole story. Saturday’s 0-0 draw against D.C. United was dominated by the Fire, who outshot its opponent, nine to four. With Blanco the creative catalyst, Chad Barrett, Chris Armas, Wilman Conde, Paulo Wanchope and Rolfe have all “added considerable substance” to the team’s attack that floundered badly under former coach Dave Sarachan, Plenderleith says. Chicago plays its last game — a make or break clash versus the Galaxy — at home on Sunday.