Fire looking for a good start this season
After five seasons that produced just one playoff game, a good start would seem helpful to the morale of the Chicago Fire and its fans.
The Fire opens the season at the defending MLS Cup champion Los Angeles Galaxy on Friday (9 p.m., UniMas).
"It's huge," Fire forward Mike Magee said at Monday's kickoff luncheon about the need for a good start, "but what's more important is just our everyday atmosphere within the group. I think that's what was lacking last year. We had so many lows after we'd lose or tie, and then we'd win, those highs. We need to find a nice medium. Obviously, guaranteeing a win at L.A. is not a smart thing to do, so I won't, but it's going to be a good test for the group."
The Fire has four games in March. Snagging at least 4 of 12 standings points would go a long way toward avoiding a "here we go again" feeling.
The Fire finished 2014 in ninth place in the Eastern Conference at 6-10-18. The 18 ties were a MLS record.
"It's always big, especially in our league," Fire coach and director of soccer Frank Yallop said. "You want to get your points early so you get a good feeling about the club and the team and get some confidence. We're no different."
The big if:
There's no guarantee this season will start as scheduled. Fire captain Jeff Larentewicz and second-year midfielders Harry Shipp and Chris Ritter missed the luncheon to attend negotiations for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement between the players union and the league.
Larentowicz is on the MLSPU executive board, and Shipp and Ritter are player representatives keeping teammates apprised of the negotiations. No one would speculate if a strike can be averted.
"I'm not going to touch that," Magee said. "I'm hoping it gets sorted. Obviously, we're ready to fight for what's best for the players, but nobody wants to miss any games."
The Fire and the Galaxy play the first game scheduled for the season, so a walkout would start with them.
Magee update:
Mike Magee continues to work following knee and hip surgery. He has no timetable for a return to full action.
"I'm feeling extremely healthy and extremely unfit, but it's all great," Magee said with a laugh.
The youngest Fire:
While his former classmates were in school at Downers Grove North, Fire homegrown midfielder Collin Fernandez was introduced Monday between Greg Cochrane and 38-year-old goalkeeper Jon Busch. Fernandez, an 18-year-old first-year pro who graduated early from high school, enjoyed the moment.
"It's cool," he said. "It's a dream come true to be out here every day and doing what I love."
Fernandez is the youngest player on the roster. First-round draft pick Matt Polster, picked out of St. Louis University, is next at age 21.
What cold weather?
New Fire forward Shaun Maloney isn't scared off by a cooler-than-usual March.
"That doesn't bother me," he said. "I'm from Scotland. This is tropical."
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