In 2007, the Fire had the fifth-best defense, giving up 36 goals in 30 games. But the 2008 season began with one of their lead defenders, veteran C.J. Brown, sidelined by injury. Under new coach Denis Hamlett, the plan was to use four backs instead of three, and he called upon waiver wire pickup Brandon Prideaux and second-year defender Bakary Soumare to work with long-time left back Gonzalo Segares. Finding the fourth back would take time, and Hamlett had a lot of candidates to choose from.
Behind that line would stand veteran goalkeeper Jon Busch, who would have to make up for what he lacks in height (at 5-10) with the desire to succeed as he attempted to make a comeback after a couple of injury-plagued seasons with the Columbus Crew.
Fast forward to mid-September. The Fire are 11-7-5, own the second-best record in the league, and lead the league in goals against and shutouts.
With Wilman Conde settled into the fourth defender spot, the Fire have given up 18 goals in 23 games, and with their 1-0 win against the New York Red Bulls last Saturday, have recorded 10 shutouts. The Red Bulls, who entered the game with a six-game unbeaten streak, recorded just two shots on goal in the game.
"Everybody plays their role and that is the key," Busch said. "Nobody tries to do too much. Everybody just does their job. When you do your job, the guy beside you knows what you are going to do and knows what he has to do. And you are seeing the result. (They gave up) two shots against a very dangerous team."
Conde, who joined the Fire late last season in order to play for former coach Juan Carlos Osorio, had to be convinced to stay after Osorio took his whistle to New York. After struggles early, Conde settled into a center back position next to Soumare.
Soumare played as a defensive midfielder position last season, but under Hamlett was moved to center back, a position of incredible responsibility. Although he is responsible for an own goal this season, he has started in 22 of the 23 games (he was suspended for yellow card accumulation for one game) and been a strong, intimidating force in the back, standing 6-4 (although he looks taller because he is standing in front of Busch).
"To see Baky mature into the player he is, in front of me, in that position, is a joy for me to watch," Busch said. "He is a tremendous athlete and he is getting the soccer brain. He is learning how to play the position. He is a beast."
Soumare played as a defender at the University of Virginia, so he appreciated the opportunity to return to his favored spot.
"I was drafted out of college as a defender," Soumare said. "Last year I was just filling in. This year I am back in my original position. It is a great opportunity for me.
"This is a different level, and it is so much faster (than college)," he continued. "I think playing the middle helps me, with my feet, getting smarter, as far as not getting the fouls. I am a work in progress, and there is still room for improvement, but I am getting more comfortable."
The Fire also gets offensive contributions from the back. Against New York, Soumare had two chances for assists when he sent long balls to the left side, setting up first Justin Mapp and then Mike Banner on naked runs toward goal. Neither turned into goals, but the opportunities were there because Soumare got the ball to them.
Prideaux also had his own chance to score. In the second half, Prideaux stole the ball near midfield and dribbled all the way to the top right corner of the penalty area before taking a surprise shot.
Segares has two goals and Conde has one for the Fire, who lead the league with a plus-12 goal differential.
There are five teams in the league that have scored more goals than the Fire, but it doesn't matter when you simply don't allow the other team to score at all.
"Our group feels we can definitely win games with a single goal in a match the way we're playing," Hamlett said.
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