In a suite high above Soldier Field, Fire midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri watched the team’s match Saturday with other teammates not on the game-day roster.
Once again, the Fire seemed just fine in his absence.
Playing without the injured Shaqiri (upper right leg) for the fourth consecutive game, the Fire beat Minnesota United 2-1 in front of an announced crowd of 12,128. Kei Kamara scored twice in the first half, and the Fire (2-1-3) handed Minnesota its first loss.
Minnesota scored on a free kick by Kervin Arriaga in the 57th minute when Fire goalkeeper Chris Brady let the ball go through his hands. The Fire then survived a late Minnesota flurry to hold on and move up to sixth place in the Eastern Conference.
Chris Brady reflects on the Fire win. #cf97 #VamosFire pic.twitter.com/TbQQEhkwZF
— Brian Sandalow (@BrianSandalow) April 9, 2023
During Shaqiri’s absence, the Fire are unbeaten (2-0-2). They’ve scored at least two goals in three of those games, with Brian Gutierrez taking over Shaqiri’s spot in the middle of their attack. The speedy midfield combination of Gutierrez, Chris Mueller and Maren Haile-Selassie has clicked, the offense is playing with a noticeable flow and the Fire have a dependable striker in Kamara.
‘‘We move off the ball a lot [and] communicate with each other a lot, so that helps us,’’ Gutierrez said. ‘‘Communication’s key, and it shows on the field. We create a lot of chances. Fortunately, we’re putting the ball in the back of the net.’’
Shaqiri was listed as questionable, and coach Ezra Hendrickson said Wednesday it was likely but not a sure thing that he would be available. It turned out Shaqiri, who also was listed as questionable before two other games he missed, didn’t suit up.
This early absence, combined with Shaqiri’s physical issues last season, could add to concerns about his dependability. Yet if he is worried about Shaqiri, Hendrickson wasn’t saying Wednesday.
‘‘We feel like when Shaq is on the pitch, we are a better team,’’ Hendrickson said. ‘‘So we want to get him back on the pitch, but we want to make sure that it’s in the right timing and that we limit the chance of him reinjuring himself.’’
Fabian Herbers on the improved attack. #cf97 #VamosFire pic.twitter.com/EUn8CzV26F
— Brian Sandalow (@BrianSandalow) April 9, 2023
As the players know, it’s not their job to decide where Shaqiri plays when he returns; it’s their job to fight for their places on the team.
‘‘Us as players, we just concentrate on our game, to be honest,’’ Haile-Selassie said. ‘‘Everyone tries to do his job as well as possible. For the rest, we have the coach who has to deal with [that].
‘‘Offensively, we are playing really well. But then obviously when Shaq’s back, we have to figure something out.’’
Just having a battle for spots in the first 11 — even if the competition includes a former Champions League winner and one of the highest-paid players in MLS history — is a good thing for the Fire.
After all, they likely will need to use their bench during the season.
‘‘We all want the team to win, and it’s a good competition,’’ Gutierrez said. ‘‘It will be good for the upcoming matches because it’s a long season.’’
