Brian Sandalow
Sports contributor
Brian Sandalow is a sports contributor at the Chicago Sun-Times.
Entering play Saturday at D.C. United, the Fire have dropped three consecutive games since the end of the Leagues Cup.
The Fire can’t afford too many more blips like the ones they suffered against Orlando if they want to move up or just stay above the playoff line.
Sunday’s game against Orlando City represents the beginning of an 11-match period that could end with the Fire reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2017.
To get to the playoffs, the Fire will have to play at a high level against good teams in challenging conditions. Perhaps the Leagues Cup helped get the Fire ready for a stretch that will define whether 2023 was a success or failure.
The Cubs closed to 1 1⁄2 games behind the Brewers for the National League Central lead and tied the Reds for the final NL wild-card spot.
Jeimer Candelario has added depth to the lineup, which also used its legs to score Sunday.
One day after getting mauled 8-0, the Cubs jumped on the league-leading Braves with five runs in the first inning and used six pitchers to stave off Atlanta.
The Cubs will give Suzuki some time to figure things out. That kept him out of the lineup Saturday, and might do so for a little while longer.
The Fire must keep three goals in mind as they seek to build off their run of five wins in six MLS matches in their quest to return to the postseason.