Going Stale: Chicago Fire 0, Charlotte FC 1
CHICAGO, Ill. — The hapless Chicago Fire's miserable start to the 2024 season continued on a forgettable Wednesday night at Soldier Field as they lost to Charlotte FC, 1-0.
Aiming to respond to a weeks-long skid that has the Fire winless in five, under-pressure head coach Frank Klopas only made minor changes to his eleven. Center back Rafa Czichos returned in place of Mauricio Pineda, and Arnaud Souquet replaced Allan Arigoni, who was injured last Saturday against St. Louis. Fede Navarro got the nod ahead of Fabian Herbers in the only non-injury-related swap.
Tactically, the Fire have been incredibly predictable this season, a trend which continued against Charlotte. Much as they have for the majority of 2024, Klopas’ team tried to be patient in building from the back but often turned to hopeful balls over the top when Charlotte’s patient press wouldn’t bite.
Center forward Hugo Cuypers was often the target of such hopeful balls, as he has been time and time again since arriving in a reported $12 million deal this offseason. Once again, he was left largely unassisted, and provided little threat in front of goal.
Captain and top earner Xherdan Shaqiri showed several glimpses of his quality in the early stages, but without plentiful assistance in transition, it couldn’t result in any goal threats. The Swiss national team star had one hopeful opportunity when he caught Charlotte keeper Kristijan Kahlina off his line, but his optimistic shot missed the goal by a few feet. It was the Fire’s best chance of the first half.
Charlotte, who entered the game comfortably in a playoff spot and had won every game they’ve ever played at Soldier Field, also had a slow start. They were patient, expecting the Fire to be architects of their own downfall without any sort of attacking rhythm, but couldn’t provide any goal threat of their own. Late in the half, Fire defender Carlos Terán was forced to make a goal-line clearance in a frantic moment in front of his net, and that was the closest either team came to scoring before the half.
Visiting head coach Dean Smith, who most recently held Premier League posts at Aston Villa, Norwich City, and Leicester City, made changes at halftime that clearly worked. Charlotte were immediately the most dangerous team coming out of the break, and Fire #1 Chris Brady was put to work in the first 15 minutes of the half.
Though the 20-year-old keeper made an improbable save from close range, he couldn’t stop Ashley Westwood’s free-kick a few minutes later. The ex-Premier League midfielder ripped a set piece from distance past Brady, and while there were plenty of questions around the correctness of Terán’s foul on the build-up to the play, but protests were to no avail.
The loudest cheer of the 90 minutes game eight minutes after the goal when 20-year-old Fire II winger Omari Glasgow was introduced. The speedy and incisive Guyanese international was called up on a short-term loan to the first team due to Maren Haile-Selassie’s injury, but due to his appearance against Charlotte he won’t be able to appear in MLS again unless he is awarded a full first team contract over the summer.
Despite some good moments from Glasgow which excited the crowd, the Fire ultimately provided little attacking danger, and Charlotte were able to cruise to another win and shutout. Kahlina's 96th minute save on Terán was the final nail in the coffin extending the Fire's goal-less run at home to four games with just one point in that span.
Klopas, who has already been under pressure from the outside, is surely now facing increasing pressure from within as his team lacks ideas, cohesion, and identity. With a huge test against Wilfried Nancy and Columbus on Saturday, it seems he's one borrowed time.
