When Chicago signed Blanco two years ago, I was sceptical. Another aging star with a me first personality and an out of control ego was not what the league needed I argued. I was wrong. Blanco was exactly what the league needed. His fiery personality, flair and highlight clip goals propelled the Chicago Fire out of the doldrums and into the ranks of contenders.
Blanco does not look like a player, he is stubby, built like a fire hydrant and chubby. He looks like that old wily veteran in my summer league, who is slow, out of shape and crafty. How could a player, who appears to be a physical wreck, compete in a league that is known for raw athleticism and speed? Skill and vision. Blanco for all of his shortcomings has a deft touch and a uncanny ability to sense the movements of players in and out of his range of vision. The minute he arrived in Chicago, Fire games started to look like soccer again. My skepticism turned into delight as I watched this physical freak dictate the pace of a game with his touch and soccer intellect. It was once again fun to watch Fire Games.
Now, two years later, I find myself once again at the Blanco crossroads. I can't deny that I love to watch the old Mexican weave his magic on the field, but the skepticism that I once felt is back and it seems to get stronger every day. Let me explain. As the season wound down last year I was keenly aware of the movements of the Chicago Fire. In my view, it was either going to be the Fire or Crew coming out the East. Much to my delight, and MLS fans across the country, that's exactly what happened. For me and many others, the battle for the East was really the MLS final. There was little doubt in my mind that the winner of this game would win the final.
Chicago started well in the game, going in front 1-0, but as the game progressed it was clear that the Crew were the better team. In the second half of that game, Columbus came at Chicago in waves. The attack, led by the creative instincts of Schellotto and the quality of the Argentinian's supporting cast was too much for the Fire to handle. The Fire, unable to mount any sort of attack, looked like they had been relegated to playing with ten men. In fact, they were playing with ten men. My old friend, Blanco, the creative genius that Chicago relied on, was no where to be found. He was gassed, exhausted and looking every inch the part of the old pro who does more talking on the pitch than playing. For better or worse the Fire were stuck with their ineffective superstar. In the MLS superstars do not come out games unless they are injured or their team is safely in front. Blanco needed to come out of that game, he was totally ineffective for much of the second half. Unfortunately, that didn't happen, therefore erasing any opportunity for the Fire to mount a late game charge.
That was last year and most Fire fans would argue, a one game anomaly. I don't see it that way. Blanco, for all of his creative juices, has reached a place where he is not going to run unless he absolutely has too and worse yet, at the end of games, can not run because of his lack of conditioning and age. Blanco can be great, can win games with a couple strokes of the ball, but will those moments eclipse the shortcomings of age and physical commitment. In the past, Blanco has managed to make it work, but as the playoffs showed last year... the post season is a different animal. It comes at the end of a gruelling season, is played in inclement weather and typically brings out a new level of physical play. Blanco, for all of his heroics in season, has not made an impact in the playoffs that does justice to his status as the second highest player in the league.
Denis Hamlett, the coach of the fire, will probably be a little more judicious in how he plays Blanco this year, giving him longer spells of rest when needed, but the fact remains, the Chicago Fire are married to an aging Superstar who demands that a game revolve around him. Since divorce is not an option, it's my opinion that the Fire, though exciting to watch, will start to sputter and cease up as the season moves deep into August. They have put all their chips on the Blanco table and it's a bet that they will lose.
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