After missing playoffs, here's what Fire must do

The Fire officially was eliminated from playoff contention with New York's victory Thursday night. While that makes two consecutive seasons without postseason play, strong results in August, September and October show the roster has potential for 2012.

Here are five things the club needs to do to have a better year next year.

1. Pick the right coachThe vote here is to remove the interim tag and technical director duties from Frank Klopas and let him coach full-time in 2012. The final vote belongs to owner Andrew Hauptman and Andell Holdings' Javier Leon, however.If they decide to look elsewhere, they could opt for a Latin coach, as they did two years ago in picking Carlos de los Cobos. Somebody like former Fire star Cuauhtémoc Blanco or former Columbus Crew star Guillermo Barros Schelotto might appeal to them, especially if they want someone with MLS experience this time, assuming either former player has interest in coaching.If they look to the college ranks, Akron's Caleb Porter is atop everyone's list. However, he turned down D.C. United last year and re-signed with Akron. Thursday he added U.S. U-23 national team coach to his responsibilities. It would take a lot of money #8212; and probably the chance to wield a lot of power within the organization #8212; to pry him away.Hauptman and Leon long were rumored to be interested in former Chivas USA and Toronto FC coach Preki, but that interest seems to have cooled. Eric Wynalda seems to want out of the broadcast studio. There are other former Fire players coaching around the league, but none of them is likely to return.If Klopas does not remain with the club, it'll be up to player personnel director Mike Jeffries to decide which 11 players the Fire protects from the Montreal Impact in the Nov. 23 expansion draft.2. Get Sebastian Grazzini fit and keep him healthy.After joining the club in late July, Grazzini was a playmaker when he was on the field. But it took him a while to regain his fitness, and his hamstrings proved bothersome. Trainer Bo Leonard and strength and conditioning coach Tony Jouaux will make Grazzini's health a top priority.3. Replace Marco PappaDutch club FC Twente was interested in Pappa this summer, and it seems likely the 23-year-old Guatemalan midfielder will head to Europe this off-season. If so, the Fire will have to replace its second-leading scorer. The draft is an option, but the club should look to an international player with experience. Word is Klopas and Jeffries are headed to Europe after the season and will have some money to work with.4. Rethink Logan Pause's roleWhen Pavel Pardo and Sebastian Grazzini arrived, Pause moved out of central midfield. First he tried right back, then he tried right midfielder, where he stuck. But Pause is far from a classic winger, and he has never been a big part of the attack.The best thing for the club might be to put the captain on the bench and bring him on in relief of Grazzini or Pardo. That will be tough to do, but Pause has always been a team player, and the Fire needs an upgrade offensively if it wants to win consistently.In Pause's place, the Fire could move forward Patrick Nyarko back to right mid.5. Find a partner for forward Dominic OduroIf the Fire moves Nyarko to midfield again, it'll open a spot up top. Diego Chaves has shown himself to be a good third or fourth forward, and Cristian Nazarit isn't likely to return. The club could turn the position over to young super-sub Orr Barouch, 19, if it purchases his contract from Tigres as expected.Or it could use one of its three open Designated Player spots to sign someone with a longer resume #8212; preferably someone not as reliant on speed getting him behind defenses to create scoring chances. After missing the playoffs an unprecedented two straight years, this is an important off-season for the Fire. It can't afford more mistakes.oschwarz@dailyherald.com#376; Follow Orrin's reports on Twitter @orrinsoccer.