The Chicago Fire’s game at Montreal ended quickly Wednesday when it fell behind 3-0 after just 38 minutes. That was all the scoring in the Fire’s fourth loss in its last five games, more losses thanin its first 20 games. Coach Veljko Paunovic is awaiting a reaction when Chicago hosts league leader Toronto FC in its biggest match of the season.
Piatti-Mancosu show.Paunovic wanted to the Fire put Wednesday’s game behind it quickly. Ignacio Piatti scored twice and Matteo Mancosu converted a penalty for the Impact, which has won three in a row tomove into striking distance of the top six in the Eastern Conference.
“We didn’t do our job well,” said Paunovic. “We made defensive mistakes, but we have to move forward.”
Home sweet home. The immediate future looks more promising for the Fire, which will play four its next five games at home, where itis 10-0-1.
Best MLS home records:
TEAM W-L-T
Chicago 10-0-1
Houston 9-0-3
Toronto FC 9-0-3
Sporting KC 7-0-5
NYCFC 8-1-3
“We have a very important game in just a couple of days against Toronto,” added Paunovic, “and it’s probably the match of the season. It’sa great opportunity for us to bounce back. We have to see the reality, and that reality is that we didn’t improve our position — 41 points, third place; we to get back to our form, andI’m sure that the guys will react well as we prepare for Saturday.”
EasternConference:
