Fire hopes for strong finish against Crew
The Chicago Fire practiced Wednesday in 46-degree weather, with 20-30 mph winds and a steady rain as they prepared for Saturday’s regular-season finale against the Columbus Crew.
Now the players and coaches hope Saturday’s match means something.
The Fire needs help if it’s going to realize its slim MLS playoff hopes, starting with Wednesday’s D.C. United-Portland match and Thursday’s New York-Philadelphia match.
“Obviously, we’re going to watch and see what happens,” Fire interim coach/technical director Frank Klopas said, “but what we’ve talked about with the group is the things that we can control. It’s great that some things go our way, but the most important thing and our focus has to be on Saturday and making sure that we finish the season strong.
“We’re playing at home, (against) a very good team, big rivalry of ours. It’s just important to be building and get better every game.”
Fire players and coaches were rooting for a draw Wednesday and a Philadelphia victory by a big margin Thursday.
“Our entire season has been a tough season. It’s been really frustrating,” veteran defendar Gonzalo Segares said. “But I think hard work pays off, and that’s why we still have a chance. The last couple of months we’ve put a lot into it and we have fought really hard.”
Fire fans seem to be excited about the way the team is finishing the season, 6-2-3 since losing at Vancouver Aug. 7. Club officials report they are nearing a sellout at Toyota Park for Saturday night’s match. The weather is expected to be better also.
Hamstrung: The Fire could be without playmaker Sebastian Grazzini, whose hamstring problems kept him out of training Wednesday. Fire interim coach Frank Klopas said Grazzini#146;s status is day-to-day.#147;It#146;s hard to say right now,#148; Klopas said about Saturday#146;s match.He#146;s back:Forward Diego Chaves had a fast start to the season, scoring his fourth goal by the end of April. He finally found his fifth Saturday, scoring in dramatic fashion as the Fire came from behind in extra time to defeat D.C. United 2-1.#147;It was great,#148; Chaves said, #147;It would have been better if we had beaten Dallas here (last week). We#146;re going to regret those 3 points we lost.#148;Chaves, acquired last winter, said he is out of contract after this season. #147;I want to be back,#148; Chaves said. #147;I don#146;t know if I#146;m going to be back, but I definitely want to.#148;Ÿ Follow Orrin#146;s soccer reports on Twitter @orrinsoccer.