After two game, Fire playing to expectations

It’s a long season in MLS, the longest in league history, but there’s no time to waste, especially for a team hungry just to make the playoffs.

Here’s what we know about the Fire just two games in:

Just as expected:

So far this is the same club that ended the 2011 season, and not just because there was relatively little roster turnover. It’s a team that will be organized in the back, disciplined about protecting its rear even when attacking, and it won’t easily give up late leads like it did so often the first two-thirds of last year.

The Fire plays hard, plays as a unit and works well together.

It’s a recipe that should be good enough for a playoff berth, but the Fire will have to do better if it wants to sniff MLS Cup.

Paulo Tornaghi a real find:

The young goalkeeper was the Man of the Match in Saturday’s 1-0 victory against Philadelphia, patrolling his penalty area with authority and stopping two tough free kicks late to preserve the shutout.

With regular goalkeeper Sean Johnson returning from Olympic qualifying, coach Frank Klopas has two good, young goalkeepers, and Johnson won’t be distracted by the Olympics after the U.S. team’s loss this week. Klopas didn’t seem eager to talk about Tornaghi after Saturday’s game, suggesting Johnson’s job is safe, but Johnson will need to rebound after a disappointing showing in qualifying.

If Johnson struggles, Tornaghi looks ready to step in. Both Johnson and Tornaghi need to improve their distribution.

Oduro’s 2011 not a fluke:

The good news is the Fire forward already has two goals this season. It’s unlikely he’ll finish with 34, despite his goal-a-game pace, but maybe he can surpass last year’s dozen.

Oduro is scary fast, and MLS teams will play a high back line at their own peril against him. Saturday’s goal, however, came in an unusual way for the man with the quick feet. He scored with his head.

Oduro will need to keep working on his first touch, and his finishing isn’t world class, but he’s putting the ball in the back of the net, and that’s the bottom line.

Oduro needs help:

Teams such as Los Angeles, New York, Seattle, Real Salt Lake, Colorado, even Vancouver have multiple scoring threats. Besides Oduro, which Fire player scares opposing goalkeepers? Oduro is the only Chicago player with a goal so far.

Defenses have to respect Patrick Nyarko’s speed and passing ability but not his shot; he has totaled 7 goals in just more than four years in the league. Midfielder Marco Pappa is capable but inconsistent. Federico Puppo has looked good but hasn’t finished in reserve duty so far.

Klopas could start Rafael Robayo — whom Klopas has described as a box-to-box midfielder — in place of Logan Pause to add to the attack, or he could start Puppo up top and move Nyarko to the wing in place of Pause. But Klopas doesn’t seem eager to remove his captain and risk disrupting his defense.

Somehow, someway, the Fire needs to improve its attack if it wants to make this season special.

Follow Orrin’s soccer reports on Twitter @orrinsoccer.