The Fire open their 2009 Superliga campaign when they host Mexican side San Luis Saturday night at Toyota Park.

The Superliga is a competition which puts top teams from the MLS against the top teams from the Mexican Primera Division. The MLS teams with the best record last season and that are not already participating in the CONCACAF Champions League were invited. This year’s MLS teams are Kansas City, Chicago, Chivas, and defending champion New England. The FMF Primera Division teams were invited based on performances during the 2008 Clausura and 2008 Apertura season and minus Champions League participants. This year’s participants from the Primera Division are Tigres, Atlas, San Luis, and Santos Laguna.

The group stage will be played over the next two weeks with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semifinals which will be played July 15. The Final will be played Aug. 5.

The Fire will play out of group A which includes Chivas USA, San Luis, and Tigres. This is the first time that the Fire have participated in the tournament. Tomorrow’s game sees the Fire up against a San Luis who finished 15th in the Clausura this year and haven’t won a match since March 21st. They are lead by veteran midfielder Braulio Luna and feature Mexican-American defender Michael Orozco who was an important part of the 2008 United States Olympic team.

After going undefeated through their first 11 games, the Fire have lost their last three. Some of the problems can be blamed on international duty with key players such as Blanco, Segares, and Soumare missing matches but the recent run of form has been disappointing. With all of the preferred players in place, the Fire should start to again string together results.

The match against San Luis will be the second time this season that the Fire have faced a team from the Primera Division. Their first game they lost at home to Club America 2-1 on April 29. The game was a mid-week friendly and was not taken too seriously by either side. Look for the Fire to take the Superliga more seriously and they will expect results.

Here is what the Fire will have to do against San Luis.

Organize Defense:
Defensive organization has been a problem for the Fire in their recent series of defeats. Look for this to improve with the likes of Soumare and Segares returning to the back. It will be up to Busch and Conde to keep their shape and keep the outside backs from over-committing on San Luis wingers.

Go Big Only When Necessary:
The Fire have been quick to play the long ball especially out of the back. Too often are these balls forced and possession is lost. The Fire need to keep the ball on the ground and possess more often in the build of attacks. This will spread the defense and open them up to make the long balls more effective.

Blanco:
Blanco has played against San Luis many times. His expertise will be needed. It has been painfully obvious in the past couple games how much the Fire need Blanco’s creative play. When Blanco is on, the Fire are tough to beat.

ASN Prediction: The Fire will prevail against a San Luis team which is only a shadow of the team that finished first in 2008 Apertura. Fire 1-0