Eastern Conference Final Preview: Real Salt Lake, Chicago one step from final

Friday, 13 November 09, 03:33 PM · Comments (0)

Will Real Salt Lake and Yura Movsisyan be celebrating at Toyota Park Saturday night? Most agree that such an accomplishment is possible, yet a Chicago Fire win seems more probable. No matter what, it should be an entertaining encounter in front of a sellout crowd in Bridgeview.

A lot of the Fire's fortunes will come down to the health of two of their defensive players. Wilman Conde and Gonzalo Segares are both listed as questionable. If those two are fit enough on Saturday, even just Conde, it will help form the defensive backbone needed to stifle a frisky RSL attack.

And attack they will. RSL boasts one of the most enigmatic rosters, stacked with plenty of talent -- just ask Columbus -- and are the kind of team that will come in and put their best foot forward against Chicago. Fabian Espindola and Robbie Findley will likely start up top, supported in attack by a revitalized Javier Morales and Andy Williams. Hence why the health of Conde and Segares such a huge factor here.

Of course, Chicago is no slouch when it comes to attack. The departing Chris Rolfe has been a huge reason for the Fire's success, and veteran Brian McBride providing support along with the young Patrick Nyarko. Pulling the strings behind the attack is Cuauhtemoc Blanco, the main reason why the favor ultimately swings towards the Fire.

Rolfe and McBride need only to badger and bait at the RSL defense and should be able to unlock them While that won't be easy, they've got the right players to do it.

RSL proved last week that they can win away from Rio Tinto. Not only did they accomplish that, but the claret-and-cobalt showed an ability to rally after going two goals down in Columbus. That was accompanied by a touch of luck, while at the same time showing an attacking vigor that must be on display from the opening whistle.

Here are few match-ups to watch:

*Brian McBride vs. Jamison Olave. A legend in most USMNT supporter's circles, Chicago's target man is the sort to frustrate Olave with a physical, battering presence. Olave tends to blow his top from time-to-time, earning himself three ejections on the year. Might McBride try and get under Olave's skin?

*Kyle Beckerman vs. Blanco. The dreaded midfielder will be part of the RSL plan to stymie the Mexican maestro. Limiting Blanco from even touching the ball should be high on the list, as the less he sees of it, the less dangerous the Fire become.

*Findley vs. CJ Brown. If Conde can't go, the steady vet CJ Brown will likely deputize once again. And while Brown has a wealth of experience, he lacks quickness and pace that could be taken advantage of by Findley or Movsisyan.

Prediction: Chicago 2-0

In front of another excellent crowd, Chicago should be able to find the right combination to best Real Sale Lake. A lot can happen in 90 minutes (or more), but Hamlett will have the answers.

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Eastern Conference Final Preview: Real Salt Lake, Chicago one step from final

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