The Fire will look to build on a lengthy undefeated streak
on Wednesday as they entertain Real Salt Lake in the Windy City. Chicago are
currently 6th in the Eastern conference and Real Salt Lake sit 4th
over in the West.
Chicago has not lost since a May 21 defeat to the
Philadelphia Union (who play Kansas tonight), which translates into a five-game unbeaten run.
During that span, the Fire won one and drew two on a
three-match road trip, including last weekend's 1-1 tie with the New England
Revolution.
Opening the scoring was Dominic Oduro, who scored his fourth
goal of the season in the 31st minute. From there, the Revolution
salvaged a point with a quick retaliation to begin the second half.
Now the Fire return home to face off against a solid Real
Salt Lake side.
The Royals are making up some fixtures and this mid-week
test in Chicago will be integral to their hopes of rising up the Western
Conference table.
At the moment Salt Lake is fourth in the standings at 22
points, with a total of three losses through 13 fixtures.
Over the weekend the team was at home to DC United, the game
finishing at a 1-1 deadlock. Fabian Espindola converted from the penalty spot
in the first half for the hosts before DCU's Charlie Davies did the same in the
second.
Look out for another hard-fought encounter this Wednesday.
Soccer odds at Bodog reflect that notion, with Chicago at +140 dds to win at
home while Real Salt Lake is quoted at +185 to stamp down those three points.
Fire can make a statement with another good showing
Fabian Espindola leads this Real Salt Lake squad with four
goals to his name so far in the 2011-2012 MLS season. He's scored three of
those in his last four appearances so I'm sure he fancies his chances of
another productive effort on Wednesday.
The Royals have had to adjust since star playmaker Javier
Morales went down with a broken leg. The Argentinean had racked up two goals
and two assists in five games before suffering the break.
In the midfield Jean-Michel Alexandre and Collen Warner have
tried to fill in admirably and have done so. They have been rising to the
occasion and will look to clamp down on Marco Pappa and the Fire.
Pappa has been the maestro in the middle for Chicago,
scoring four times and also picking up an assist in domestic play.
He should be back in town after representing Guatemala in
the Gold Cup, his nation losing to Mexico in the quarter-finals. Who will need
to step up to help?
Dominic Oduro has been the main beneficiary up top, finding
the back of the net four times in 15 appearances. Him and Diego Gonzalo Chaves
(three goals) have been quite productive until this point.
The jury on Real Salt Lake is still out, especially with
Morales missing in action, but the squad appears to have the depth to keep up
and hang with just about anyone.
That said, the Fire are picking up one positive result after
another and have been competitive in practically every meeting thus far this
season. Not to mention they have the most draws in the entire MLS with nine.
Do not be startled if we see another stalemate here on
Wednesday and I look to the draw in soccer betting.
FREE Pick: Chicago 1 Real Salt Lake 1