Carl's Keys to the Game vs. Chicago Fire

Focus

Whitecaps FC gained four valuable points in the last two matches with a draw on the road and a win against our Cascadia rivals Seattle Sounders FC for the first time in our last game. However, the ‘Caps need to keep their heads in the game or there could be a letdown playing the Chicago Fire at home. 
There is no real history between the clubs and it is a match we should be favoured in at this point, but it’s a game that could trip us up if the team is not focused on the job at hand. We need to come out strong and make sure we dictate the tempo the match is played at. The Fire have been on a good run of form themselves lately, losing only once in their past 10 MLS matches, but most of their games have been at home so there is a chance they will come into BC Place and look to frustrate our ‘Caps straight from the whistle. We can't let that happen, we need to remain focused.
Mike Magee

We all remember Mike Magge. last year he scored the tying goal for his former team LA Galaxy that helped to knock us out of the playoffs, and send the Galaxy on their way to a second straight MLS Cup title.
Chicago have only lost onece since Mike Magee join the club. Magee has scored in every game but one (eight goals in nine games in all competitions), so he is clearly a man in form.  Currently he is the joint leader in goals in MLS with 11 (Camilo is only one behind with 10).
He sometimes likes to play on the shoulder of the last defenders and then make runs to get in behind our defence looking for those breakaways. Or he will drop deep into our midfield and make late runs into the box to get on the end of any dangerous crosses. This makes him very hard to mark, and we will have to be aware of his every movement and look to limit his opportunities on goal.
Good balance

There is a good chance we could have a lot of possession in this game if Chicago comes in with a game plan to frustrate us. That means that there is also danger in that if we throw caution to the wind and commit too many players forward at one time, we could get caught on the break.
We are at home and it up to us to take the game to the Fire but we have to keep good balance and manage the game properly. Goals have a big impact on a game, but I feel the way we are playing we can adapt to going a goal up or a goal down.
There is a reason we are still unbeaten at home and the crowd must take a lot of credit for making BC Place a tough place for the opposition. We are on a great run of form and the team’s confidence must be high feeling that they are going to win every game when they step on the field, especially in front of our home fans.