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Scoring magic Fire look for more offense vs. Wizards in MLS Cup
Updated: Sunday October 15, 2000 8:00 AM
By Jeff Green, CNNSI.com WASHINGTON, D.C. -- On average this year, the Kansas City Wizards' defense allowed less than a goal per game. But against the Chicago Fire's high-powered offense, that average was three goals. The two teams played twice, with Kansas City winning at home 4-3 in March and Chicago winning at home 3-2 in June. The six goals came from six different players, highlighting a dangerous variety of attacking players for a team that scored a league-best 67 goals this season. How did Chicago manage to do what so few other teams could against Kansas City? "Every game is different," said Fire coach Bob Bradley. "The first game we played them, we fell behind and obviously had to take chances. The second game, I think we played quite well at home and we were able to move the ball well enough to create some opportunities." On Sunday, Chicago's league-best offense will look to repeat its goal-scoring feat against the league's best defense in MLS Cup 2000 at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. (1:30 p.m. EDT; ABC). According to Wizards coach Bob Gansler, the previous games have little bearing. "First of all, they're so long ago," he said. "I looked at the films. I'm sure Bob looked at the films. There's a couple of little snippets that I showed the guys. I think what's more important is what the Fire did in their playoff series against New England and especially New York. That's where we're at right now." Despite the strong defensive statistics, Bradley said he is wary of the Wizards as an attacking unit. "Clearly, [Miklos] Molnar is a dangerous goal-scorer," he said, also citing the offense generated by others including playmaker Preki and right midfielder Chris Klein. Bradley agreed that Kansas City has more than one thing in common with Chicago's MLS Cup-winning side in 1998. They both were blessed with a consistent lineup throughout most of the season, and on a more disagreeable note, Bradley said that they were both unfairly labeled as "defensive teams." "I don't know where some of this stuff comes from," he said. "I think anybody in the league just looks at Kansas City and says they're a good team. "They're an organized team that can attack, that can defend. We'd like to think we have some of those qualities." While the Fire were blessed with a consistent lineup in 1998, they haven't been so lucky this year. Just this week, defensive midfielder Chris Armas and forward Ante Razov started for the United States national team on Wednesday in a World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica. Fire forward Josh Wolff was effective as a late substitute in that 0-0 draw, while Chicago midfielder Diego Gutierrez and Wizards goalkeeper Tony Meola were called up, but saw no playing time. That could work to Kansas City's advantage, as both teams otherwise have had more than a week of rest. "It could, but on the other hand, this league just about all year long has been in a Wednesday-Saturday rhythm," said Gansler. "These guys have gone through that before. I don't think it's going to play that much either way." Wolff, a possible offensive substitution on Sunday, said fatigue or disruption from the qualifier wouldn't be a factor. "We're good collectively as a team," he said. "Even if [Razov and Armas] weren't here, I would expect us to win, but now that they are here, we're going to go out there and show that we're the best team." After a successful Olympic tournament and just his second appearance with the full national team, the speedy forward said he was feeling "a little more confidence than normal." In injury news, Jesse Marsch suffered a slight concussion on Saturday when he was struck in the head with a Hristo Stoitchkov shot. He is listed as questionable for Sunday. Polish midfielder Peter Nowak again practiced with the first team on Saturday and looks set to start, while Czech defender Lubos Kubik played with the reserves and could see time as a substitute. In place of Kubik in the center of defense, Chicago has received a strong performance in the playoffs from late-season A-League call-up Tenywa Bonseu.
City could provide land for stadiumInvestor-operator Philip Anschutz is reportedly close to cutting a check to build stadiums for both the Fire and the Los Angeles Galaxy. The multibillionaire's Colorado Rapids are also exploring stadium options. Fire GM Peter Wilt said Saturday that the team had been working with the city of Chicago to hammer out a deal for a new stadium, and the city could be providing the land. "We've talked to them about a public-private partnership. They are excited about that," he said. "The city is pleased that it's not another sports team looking for a handout. "We're confident that the public entities we're working with will find a way to contribute the land." According to MLS commissioner Don Garber, "Stadiums continue to be a priority. We are moving as quickly as we can on this front. "The Los Angeles Galaxy, the MetroStars, Chicago Fire and Colorado Rapids are actively pursuing soccer-specific stadium plans," he said. "In short, this is a priority for MLS and we will get it done." In L.A, Garber said, "we are hopeful that the stadium will be built by 2002, but certainly no later than 2003. We are in advanced discussions in Chicago to finalize plans for a new stadium in that market. We want to be up no later than 2003 in Chicago as well. One of the MetroStars top priorities is to have a new stadium by 2003." A possible site the Fire had previously considered for a stadium months ago was abandoned, Wilt said, because the $20 million price tag for the land was too high. "The current location we're working with is in many ways a better site for transportation. It's closer to the downtown area. It has existing parking. It's adjacent to a busy freeway," he said. "It has two elevated train stops within two blocks."
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