Addition Through Addition

Ives gives a pretty good rundown of the playoff race. He points out that, out of the three teams vying for that final playoff spot, the Fire is the only one that has significantly improved itself going into the home stretch.

Which is true, but first, that might only be enough to get us into contention, and not actually into the playoffs, given the tough schedule Ives describes, the injury to Justin Mapp, and the team's continued inability to link the midfield and the forwards. Second, I continue to find it amazing at the Chicago franchise's unwillingness to trade with other MLS teams. All three new players were acquisitions. Of the current roster, only Diego Gutierrez and Justin Mapp were acquired via trade. Armas was technically a trade, I think, but that prior to the team having ever played a game. Someone correct me if I'm missing anyone.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised by this. With Dave Sarachan, it was his somewhat misguided loyalty and deep belief in his guys, then compounded by John Guppy's tendency to overvalue his assets to the point where deals just aren't possible. Now, it's the latter, plus Juan Carlos Osorio almost certainly not knowing enough about MLS players to know who he might even want. But it's still kind of striking to me.