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Since we have added some emphasis to the sports scene in San Diego as well as in Seattle (the birthplace of Prost), we are going to add another for Chicago and it’s an evolution of “Notes on Monday” and “The Deep Dish” in which yours truly will give brief reports and comment on the Fire, Stars, and Hounds as well as other coverage from the Windy City. So let’s get to it:
FIRE: Last season, the matches against FC Dallas and Toronto FC would’ve been losses. Instead of seven points, the Fire would have had just one heading to Vancouver next Saturday. Four matches in and while there are still some bugs to work out (they have conceded eight goals), there are some vast improvements. One main aspect is the play of the fullbacks.
A healthy Andrew Gutman is a vast improvement from last season as he has been able to join in the attack at times and has two goals to show for it (both equalizers). Leonardo Barroso has come on as a sub in the last two matches, and already has a goal and an assist to his name. Hugo Cuypers is still Hugo Cuypers, but is getting better service than last season and already has four goals. Sergio Oregel Jr. has improved from his nightmare debut against Columbus, and Brian Gutierrez is doing a good job anchoring midfield at the moment.
The Fire are in a good position despite numerous injuries in midfield and defense. Meanwhile, another team who has started with a lengthy injury list could not have had a worse start.
STARS: The only positive for the Stars was that Sam Staab played for the first time since July after a torn Achilles injury. Outside of that, when you saw this list on the ex-Twitter, you knew that the Stars were going to be in for a rough evening in Orlando. Hopefully, Mallory Swanson will come back soon as well Ludmilla from suspension that dates back to last season’s penultimate match in Washington.
Marta has found the Fountain of Youth in Orlando and Barbara Banda continues to be a beast in the wing. Orlando was simply the better team.
If there is some solace, the Stars opened 2021 with a 5-0 defeat at Portland, yet still wound up in the NWSL Championship match. The team needs to get healthy, and get some reinforcements, to have the same outcome this season. That starts with the home opener next Sunday against Houston (5pm CT, WFLD/Paramount+).
HOUNDS: In Major League Rugby, the Chicago Hounds are quietly building a great start to their season. The Hounds on Saturday held on for a 30-26 win over Old Glory DC at SeatGeek Stadium to continue to top the Eastern Conference at 4-1-0 (19 points) and opening up a seven-point lead on Old Glory and New England.
The Hounds raced to a 20-5 halftime lead on a try by Mac Jones, two penalties and a conversion by Chris Hilsenbeck and a penalty try late at the half hour mark following repeated DC infringements near the try line. However, Old Glory fought back cutting the lead to 23-19 before Jones got in again and Hilsenbeck converted to give the Hounds some breathing room. Old Glory cut it to 30-26, but held on with a late defensive stance to get four points on the day.
The Hounds are on the bye week this coming week before visiting NOLA Gold on March 29th (6pm CT, WPWR/ESPN+).
CHICAGO FIRE II: On Thursday, Chicago Fire II got their first win of the season in MLS NEXT Pro with a 1-0 win over Toronto FC II at SeatGeek Stadium. Bryce Richards got the game’s only goal. CF2’s next match will be on March 30th, at FC Cincinnati II (3pm, Apple TV).
