Atlanta United (20-6-6, 1st in East) vs. Chicago Fire (8-17-7, 10th in East)
The league’s best takes on one of the league’s most disappointing sides in the penultimate weekend of the regular season. The Five Stripes are one point ahead of the Red Bulls for the Supporters Shield and have won four of their last five matches. However, Miguel Almiron is gone for the remainder of the regular season with a hamstring injury. Atlanta are not lacking for options though as 16-year George Bello scored in the 2-1 win over New England, two weeks ago. Also, Ezequiel Barco and Josef Martinez both scored against the Fire at Toyota Park back in May.
The Fire knocked Atlanta United out of the US Open Cup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium back in June. However, this is a different much with Atlanta expected to field more of a strong lineup. The loss against DC United was the first for the Fire despite scoring first in the match. A point will assure that the Fire will not finish bottom of the Eastern Conference which will be of comfort to no one supporting the Men in Red.
Kickoff is at 2pm on ESPN as it will go the same time as all other Eastern Conference matches.
INJURIES:
ATLANTA UNITED—OUT: D – Sal Zizzo (right knee injury), D – Mikey Ambrose (right knee surgery), M – Miguel Almiron (left hamstring injury), Hector Villalba (leg)
CHICAGO FIRE—OUT: F – Luis Solignac (right adductor injury), D – Christian Dean (right hamstring injury); QUESTIONABLE: D – Matt Polster (MCL surgery), D – Matt Polster (MCL surgery),
SUSPENDED NEXT YELLOW:
ATL: Jeff Larentowicz, Michael Parkhurst
CHI: Jorge Corrales, Johan Kappelhof, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Dax McCarty,
Referee: Drew Fischer
Assistant Referees: Oscar Mitchell-Carvalho, Cameron Blanchard
4th Official: Jose Carlos Rivero
VAR: Allen Chapman
Assistant Referees: Oscar Mitchell-Carvalho, Cameron Blanchard
4th Official: Jose Carlos Rivero
VAR: Allen Chapman
THIS YEAR:
5/05/18: CHI 1-2 ATL
6/20/18: ATL 0-1 CHI (US Open Cup)
Chicago Fire
MLS
August, 2024
