I was really relishing the chance to be able to watch some MLS action in English on a Sunday afternoon. I wasn't really excited about the teams though. Crew beat RSL last Wednesday night in a result I don't think they deserved, but again I'm biased. Chicago played to scoreless draw crapfest at Sporting KC on Thursday.
At any rate, this one had the look of another yawner for most of the game. Sure, both teams played midweek matches, but the weather was great in Columbus and both teams looked really lethargic out of the gate. The Crew had some decent chances early, but couldn't trouble Johnson's goal. The Fire never really tested Hesmer at all in the first half, and that's pretty much all there is to say about half number one, which ended scoreless.
Frank Klopas must have said something to the Fire at half time, because they came out with much more of a spring in their step for the second half. The Crew just continued to look flat, like they didn't even want to be there.
Chicago started to move the ball around pretty well, and that started to create chances. Patrick Nyarko in particular put some great balls in for the Fire. Unfortunately, they just could NOT finish at all. The final touch was lacking all afternoon, and you could feel their frustration growing.
All that changed in the 90th minute though. Will Hesmer hit the deck and got a hand on a ball coming in from wide. Unfortunately, he spilled it. Nazarit was right there for the Fire, and he poked it in to give Chicago the 0-1 win.
It certainly was the right result. Chicago played pretty well in the second half, and again, the Crew looked like they'd rather be home napping. The Fire are going to have to do better in the final third if they want to improve though. Still, it's a great win and something to build on. As for the Crew, they need a much better effort. That was pretty pathetic.
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