No cooling Fire's postseason pressure
Fire could secure postseason berth with win on Thursday
Brian McBride understands more than anybody on the Chicago Fire what it takes to succeed in a must-win/tie situation like the one they face heading into Thursday's regular-season finale with their playoff status still unknown.
In 2008, his final season in England, McBride's team Fulham was even more desperate for a win. Fulham needed a victory in its final game to remain in the Premier League, or it would be relegated and lose out on millions of dollars.
"That game had a much greater situation," McBride said. "If you get relegated out of the league, you're out of the league. Here, if we were to lose, it may feel like if you don't make the playoffs you're out of the league, but you're not."
Fulham won 1-0 and remained in the top division. McBride now looks to use what he learned in that experience to help the Fire clinch a playoff spot with either a win or tie over Chivas USA at Toyota Park on Thursday.
"This is a big game for us," McBride said. "It's about making sure we prepare as much as possible for the actual physical side of the game and mental side of the game. We need to make sure we come together as a team and get it right on Thursday."
McBride added that it might be better for his teammates to enter Thursday's contest with some butterflies in their stomachs.
"If you're not going into this game with added excitement, then there's something wrong. I think that you turn that into a positive attitude, use that extra adrenaline to push you forward."
If the Fire were to lose to Chivas USA, there are scenarios in which they'd still make the playoffs and there are others where they wouldn't. The Fire currently have 42 points and are in second place in the Eastern Conference, a position that guarantees a team into the playoffs. If the Fire were to lose Thursday, they run the risk of falling out of second place and then would have to depend on other teams' results to see whether they qualify for one of the three remaining playoffs spots.
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Heading into this week's games, Colorado (40 points), Toronto FC (39), New England (39), D.C. United (39) and FC Dallas (39) are all in the mix with the Fire for the playoffs. The Fire hold the tiebreaker over New England and Toronto, and FC Dallas and D.C. United have it over the Fire. If Toronto, D.C., New England and Dallas win and the Fire lose, there would be a five-way tie with 42 points. The deciding factor would be the outcome of the Colorado-Real Salt Lake game. If Colorado won, Colorado, D.C. United and FC Dallas would make the playoffs. If Colorado lost or tied, D.C. United, FC Dallas and the Fire would qualify.
The situations are plentiful, but Fire goalkeeper Jon Busch hasn't been doing his research.
"I couldn't tell you any of them right now," Busch said. "Hopefully, we won't have to worry about it, God forbid. If we have to worry about that, we'll worry about that Friday."
Ultimately, Busch sees it just one way -- if the Fire win, they automatically move on.
"We got it in our hands, which is a good thing to have," Busch said. "If we take care of our own business, we're in good shape. That's where you want to be. You don't want to rely on other people to get you in the playoffs."
In 2007, the Fire encountered a similar situation. Against the Los Angeles Galaxy in the regular-season finale, the Fire needed a win or tie to clinch a playoff spot. To add to the drama, the Fire's John Thorrington scored to defeat the Galaxy 1-0 in extra time.
Thorrington is still on the Fire, but won't be able to repeat his magic as he will miss Thursday's game with an injury. It leaves an opportunity for a new hero. Maybe the goalkeeper?
"For any player, this is the best time of the season when you're getting ready for the playoffs," Busch said. "It's the time where it means the most. Either you step up to that plate or you don't get into the postseason. I love the pressure.
"At the end of the day if we don't take care of business and don't make it the playoffs, it's on us. If you're an honest player, you can say that."
Scott Powers covers the Chicago Fire for ESPNChicago.com and can be reached at spowers@espnchicago.com.
