Preview: Sounders vs Chicago Fire

Good match coming up.

Overview:
Seattle and Chicago are tied for second in the league table at 28 points each (behind Houston with 31 points). Seattle has 26 goals compared to Chicago's 25, while the Ravers have given up 16 goals the Fire's 20, yielding a goal differential of 5 in Seattle's favor. Both teams are on mini-hot streaks (both unbeaten in their past 3 matches).

Brian McBride is out for shoulder surgery, which leaves a pretty big hole up front for Chicago. Cuatemoc Blanco likes to pass to McBride and the two have combined for several goals this year. In the absence of McBride, look for Marco Pappa or Patrick Nyarko to be on the receiving end of Blanco passes. Blanco is on fire (ha ha) lately and was named the MLS player of the week for his performance against the SmurfQuakes. The Fire are also missing starting M Logan Pause as well as as starting D Bakary Soumare and sub D Gonzalo Segare.

Clips
Here's a shot of Blanco turning the Earthquakes' defenders inside-out before chipping a pass to Patrick Nyarko for the game winner in the 82nd minute of the game last week:

Blanco-Nyarko combo

Here's a shot of Marco Pappa scoring the week 16 MLS Goal of the Week:

Pappa picks a corner

And here's a shot of a vicious Blanco free kick against the Revolutions:
Bend it like Blanco

Bookies:
Half the money is on the Sounders with the other half split evenly between the Fire and a tie. I've punted on the Sounders for this one since the Fire's D is weak right now.