The fantastic Fire free-for-all frenzy

The Chicago Fire will probably make the playoffs. Although they unbelievably enter the final week of the season still with the possibility of missing, too many crazy things need to happen for hat to occur.

But, even if they do make the post-season you have to wonder what happened to the Fire. A pre-season consensus as the, at worse, co-MLS Cup favourite, Chicago has not won a game since August 23.

T-L-T-T-T-L

It's hard to understand exactly what he problem is. Injuries have been an issue. Gonzalo Segares, William Conde, Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Brian McBride have all missed boatloads of time. They've sucked it up at home with only four wins and have been more a little leaky at the back, giving up a goal in seven of the last eight league games.

The older stars that were supposed to pace his team have trailed of and have not been as dominating as maybe was expected Blanco's five goals and eight assists is decent, no doubt, but is it DP worthy? McBride looked amazing at the start of the year, but the injury seemed to slow down his overall effectiveness (Riddle me this TFC fans, who has more goals in all competitions this year? McBride, or the man he was traded for, Chad Barrett? It's a push at seven).

There are a lot of factors at play. No one thing can be pointed to that fully explains the Fire's freefall. But, make no mistake, that's what it is. And facing a Chivas club tonight that desperately needs three points to stay in the Supporter's Shield race, confidence can't be too high in Bridgeview.

Yes, chances are that this:

(deep breath) in a 4 way tie between CHI/DC/NE/TFC, TFC would win; in a 3 way tie between CHI/DC/NE, DC would win; in a 3 way tie between CHI/DC/TFC, DC would win; in a 3 way tie between CHI/NE/TFC, CHI would win; in a 2 way tie between CHI/DC, DC would win; in a 2 way tie between CHI/NE, CHI would win; in a 2 way tie between CHI/TFC, CHI would win

won't come into play. But, the fact that it's still out there is telling for the pre-season favourites.

NOTE: Canadians can watch this one on GolTV tonight at 8 p.m. EDT