MLS Preview: Chicago vs. Toronto

Unfortunately for Fire fans, what started as a season of promise with daring talk of a trip to the MLS Cup Final in Washington has turned into a season of change. With changes at major positions, including the head coach, rumors of several groups looking to purchase Chicago Fire and an offense that has been nothing short of abominable (Fire have only scored more than 1 goal twice this season, and have been shut out in 3 of their last 4 outings.)

For Tossers fans, it's a season of firsts, and sadly for their Windy City opposition, most of their firsts seem to come against the Fire. Toronto's first goal was scored against Chicago in the Grand Opening of BMO Field; a result that stood up as TFC held on to record their first win that day, defeating Fire 3-1. Toronto has never won on the road, and Fire fans fear they may be witnessing another first.

Things to keep in mind for today's game.

Players returning
While Toronto was not heavily affected by Copa America call-ups, the Fire should see Justin Mapp back in red today. Mapp is characteristic of brilliance, and total apathy. The Section 8 hopeful certainly wish that there will be some renewed urgency in Mapp's game now that he has been given a look by the US National Team at the Gold Cup and Copa America. The Fire also get Ivan Guerrero back from Honduras and Gonzalo Segares from Costa Rica. Osei Telesford is back from Trinidad & Tobago international duty, but is injured and may not play.

Defense
Chicago's backline must hold today if it is to have any chance. Toronto carved them up North of the border, making the aging line look inexperienced. Bakary Soumare is back in the lineup having served his 1-game suspension from his red card on Sunday.

Scoring First
If Toronto can get on the board first, then the Red Patch Boys and U-Sector can already put one point in the bag and fly back to Toronto with a share of the points. Chicago has not come from behind to win since June 28, 2006. Before that, it was September 17, 2005. So in any competition, the Fire have come from behind to win only twice in almost the last two years.

Role Players need to impress
Juan Carlos Osorio (formerly of Manchester City and Colombia's Club Millionarios) is taking command of the Fire's fortunes on Monday. It is believed he will radically transform the team, and that could mean the end of the Fire careers for underperformers Chad Barrett and Logan Pause. Players could well be playing for their jobs. The same issue is at hand on the other side of the midfield line as TFC skipper Mo Johnston has made a record number of trades this summer.

YNSA Prediction: Chicago Fire 1:1 Toronto FC