Tepid is probably not an unfair word to apply to most of MLS’s Eastern Conference in 2015. Between two expansion teams, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Montreal – CCL success notwithstanding, granted – the likely occupiers of the bottom half of the Eastern table don’t look like insurmountable obstacles. Keep in mind: one of those teams will have to make the playoffs in the new, expanded format for 2015. And TFC only has to finish ahead of four of the five to complete that task themselves.
Now, this is Toronto FC we’re talking about of course, so please don’t imagine that I’m anything but aware of the ridiculousness of claiming that they really should make the playoffs. If the Reds are going to do it, however, taking points off those Eastern Conference opponents they need to finish ahead of is the way to go about the task.
After missing out on Jermaine Jones last summer, Chicago ownership and management has made a faint hearted attempt to recapture some of the excitement that has waned in the Windy City by dipping into the designated player market in the offseason. On the other hand, many observers are not quite sure why Shaun Maloney is a designated player. The Scottish international had a number of successful seasons after coming through Celtic’s youth ranks, and a few respectable if unexceptional years after moving to the English Premier League, but is hardly a name brand beyond dedicated followers Scottish football and, at 32, unlikely to have undiscovered upside.
David Accam, on the other hand, is an interesting signing, and in some sense the type of chance that some fans would like to see more MLS teams take. The young Ghanaian has been climbing the ranks of European football in Sweden after finding an unconventional route to the professional game by winning a contest to find undiscovered talent. So far Accam has been limited to a second half appearance in the Fire’s loss in San Jose, but his addition did add energy and directness to a largely lifeless looking Chicago attack.
Finally, Kennedy Igboananike is another forward grabbed from Swedish football. More experienced than Accam, but still only 26, Igboananike has yet to complete a full 90 minutes in MLS or notch his first goal.
Regardless of the designated players, it is homegrown signing Harry Shipp who is fast becoming the identifiable face of Chicago’s franchise. After a breakout season in 2014 the young American now seems like the possible difference between the Fire and increased irrelevance. A goal in San Jose and an assist on the Fire’s game-winner last week show Shipp’s importance: he’s literally been involved in all of Chicago’s goals to date this season.
Putting out the Fire has never been easy for Toronto FC in Bridgeview as a failure to win in nine visits will attest. Stop Shipp, however, and this could be the time they finally leave the home of their Great Lakes rival with all three points.