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It's been over two weeks since the Chicago Fire last played a match, and with that match being a 2-0 loss to the Colorado Rapids, they've certainly eager to get back on the pitch in hopes of washing that taste out of their mouths. They'll get the chance on Sunday when they head south to face the Houston Dynamo, a team that's two points ahead of them in the Eastern Conference table, but one that will be without a few key players for today's game.
Dynamo midfielders Adam Moffat and Colin Clark will miss today's game due to suspension, and Brad Davis will likely be out due to injury, giving the Fire a potentially huge advantage in the midfield. Here is Zach Woosley, of SB Nation's Dynamo blog Dynamo Theory, on how the Dynamos will try and compensate for these losses:
You can't replace Brad Davis' ability to create goal opportunities and you can't replace Adam Moffat's experience and tenacity, but you can at least fill the gaps left. There's nobody on the roster than can fill in for Davis, but Kinnear will have a couple options that should at least be able to help the offense move forward and get the ball in the box. It could provide the interesting effect of not giving the Fire a single guy to key on defensively, especially with a true right winger playing out right (Colin Clark is left footed). Fortunately, the Dynamo added Nathan Sturgis in the offseason so he should cover fine for Moffat. In the end, they need a cohesive team effort, with everyone stepping up to make up for not having their usual guys in the lineup.
(via Hot Time in Old Town)
Game time/date: Sunday, April 15, 6:00 p.m. CT
Location: BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston, Tex.
TV: CSN
For more on this game, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Fire visit Hot Time in Old Town and for more on the Dynamo head over to Dynamo Theory. For more news and notes around MLS, check out SB Nation's soccer news hub.