When chairman Joe Mansueto spoke with the Sun-Times on Thursday, the Fire were at the bottom of the league. But even with that record, Manseto had a positive tone about the 2020 campaign.
“I like our chances over the course of the season,” Mansueto said.
On Saturday, the Fire were unable to back up their owner, surrendering a two-goal lead in a 2-2 draw with the Columbus Crew. Robert Beric’s strike ended a personal seven-game dry spell and Djordje Mihailovic connected before leaving with an ankle injury in the 22nd minute, but Fatai Alashe’s 68th-minute score and Gyasi Zardes’ 88th-minute equalizer extended the Fire’s winless streak to four.
“For sure, we are not happy,” Beric said. “This is more (of) a loss for us.”
Saturday’s match was similar to many of the 10 this season that preceded the tie. There were some promising moments, but the Fire missed chances to ice the match and were unable to seal three points against one of the best teams in MLS.
Like Beric, Fire coach Raphael Wicky said Saturday felt like a defeat, though he also saw a lot of positives from what he called a “good performance.”
“We create a lot, the team has a plan and I saw that today,” Wicky said. “It’s just, obviously, in our situation, you need wins and when you have two minutes before the end and you’re still winning and you have such big chances, it doesn’t feel good.”
What Mansueto wants to see is constant improvement, and he said he’s witnessing it. Mansueto likes the performance of Wicky and sporting director Georg Heitz, and thinks the Fire (2-6-3, nine points) have exciting talent and will get better as they continue to jell.
“The direction is up,” Mansueto said. “Every game I think they’re getting better. I’m still very optimistic about this season. The first goal is let’s make the playoffs, and I have full confidence in Georg and Rapha, and so we’ll get there.”
Like he has whenever he’s spoken with the media, Mansueto again made it clear that the Fire are trying to construct something that will last. Mansueto spoke about how the Fire are building out the scouting department, complimenting Heitz’s plan for that part of the club and hoping it will unearth promising young talent.
“What I’m trying to do from my position is to build a great organization, one that is positioned for long-term sustainable success,” Mansueto said. “That’s about getting the right people in place, getting the right culture in place and to start to make those big organizational changes that will then lead to results on the field. It’s not so much a matter of ‘Hey, we’ve got to sign Player X or Player Y and then everything will be great.’ It’s about, let’s get the organization set first. Let’s get the right people, and then those good results will happen.
“I couldn’t be happier with Georg and (technical director) Sebastian (Pelzer) and Rapha and the whole sporting side.”
