
At the outset of the season, the Fire appeared to be one of Major League Soccer’s most improved teams. Under coach Ezra Hendrickson, they seemingly had established themselves as a stingy defensive group and got off to their best start since 2009 after sporting director Georg Heitz retooled the roster.
But things changed after a March 19 win over Sporting Kansas City. The Fire’s defense has fallen off, the attack has been too quiet and injuries and disciplinary issues have taken their toll.