Chicago Fire
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.
Kamara scored his 144th career goal, moving him within one of Landon Donovan (145) for second on MLS’ career scoring list. Chris Wondolowski is the all-time leader with 171.
The Argentinian great’s first game in Fort Lauderdale would be against Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup.
From May 6 through last Saturday, the Fire competed in 11 matches. The tight schedule forced them to rotate the squad, and injuries made coach Frank Klopas’ job even tougher.
To make something of a season that’s already teetering, the Fire must respond to adversity much better than they did against the Dynamo.
“After winning the World Cup and not being able to return to Barcelona, it was my turn to go to the league of the United States to live football in another way,” Messi said.
LAFC won both the Supporters’ Shield and the MLS Cup last fall, but fell short of an unprecedented treble for an MLS club.
The Fire are proud of their U.S. Open Cup pedigree, but as they look ahead to a Tuesday quarterfinal, the franchise is trying to reverse a recent slide in the competition.
When it was confirmed the Fire wouldn’t release Chris Brady or Brian Gutierrez to play for the United States in the tournament, the decision brought an array of opinions. As always, there are two sides to this argument.
While neither is a star, Herbers and Pineda provide value because coach Frank Klopas can trust them in numerous spots in the formation.
The addition of the San Diego franchise balances MLS at 15 teams per conference. A team name and crest will be revealed in the future.
The Fire are counting on Klopas to correct some of the issues that led to Ezra Hendrickson’s downfall and turn this year around.
Sporting director Georg Heitz has missed on every designated player he’s signed. His best moves have been selling teenagers to European clubs, he’s shown no ability to build an MLS winner and has the Fire on track to miss the playoffs for a fourth straight year under his watch. Yet Heitz still has his job, but Hendrickson doesn’t.
Forty-three games into his time with the Fire, Hendrickson is still searching for a way for his team to hold leads.
Entering the game Saturday against the New York Red Bulls at Soldier Field, the Fire are 2-2-4 but have turned victories into ties, and now ties into losses. To avoid doing that again, Hendrickson stressed the Fire need to act like an egg.
Money the soccer team pays in rent to the housing authority will go toward its projects. “I’d like to make one point crystal clear: CHA will fulfill our commitment to developing new housing in this area,” said CHA CEO Tracey Scott.
Max Thoma and Dasan Robinson will call the games, with Max Anderson filling in for Thoma on select games. The broadcasts will include 30-minute pregame and postgame shows.
Shaqiri didn’t elaborate on what the Fire need to learn exactly, but the designated player pinpointed issues that need to be addressed.
The Fire ran their unbeaten streak to five but missed a chance to beat the reigning Eastern Conference champions.
Last Saturday, Brady recovered from an error to make two crucial saves and preserve a win.
Saturday’s match against Nashville SC starts a three-game homestand for the Fire, who only have two league wins this year in Chicago.
Before victories at Portland and Kansas City, the Fire’s 2023 season resembled their usual slog, one that was destined to end at the final whistle of the regular season.
Souquet, 31, moved from French side Montpellier to the Fire during the offseason.
Real Madrid, Manchester City and Chelsea already earned places as recent Champions League winners for the expanded tournament lineup. MLS’ Seattle Sounders also are in the lineup.
Now with Chelsea, the former Fire goalkeeper is developing both on and off the field.
Concacaf has not announced dates for the Soldier Field matches.
Kei Kamara scored twice, and the Fire earned their first home victory of the season.
While there are encouraging signs, the Fire have only won once in five tries entering Saturday’s game against Minnesota.
After allowing five goals in their last two games, the Fire earned their first shutout of 2023.
Gutierrez has been playing well, giving coach Ezra Hendrickson a good problem to solve as Shaqiri nears return.
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