BACK FROM BREAK: The Chicago Fire will play their first regular season match since August 23rd with faint hopes for the playoffs and an agitated fan base upset with what they see on the pitch and decisions by president and general manager Nelson Rodriguez off the pitch that come off as treating the supporters groups with contempt.
The Fire are 12 points adrift of the red line and bottom of the Eastern Conference with seven matches to play. Their last league win was on June 30th. At the very least, the Fire can show that they can win again, but they need to learn how to win and that sometimes requires overcoming adversity. The Fire have won just once in league play from a trailing position this season.
The game with fellow strugglers Orlando City at home will be on FS1 at 4pm CT.
NEXT STOP: PLAYOFFS: The Red Stars will get a chance of redemption against North Caroling after their last-minute playoff loss last season at WakeMed Soccer Park. The Courage were runaway shield winners this season, but have had to work for results against the Red Stars the last two seasons.
The Red Stars will be led by Golden Boot winner Sam Kerr and will have US National Teamer Julie Ertz back in the lineup and Alyssa Naeher in goal. The only fitness question is that of Casey Short who left the USA’s friendly against Chile with a knock in San Jose.
The Red Stars are the first team to make the NWSL playoffs four consecutive seasons. But now, the challenge for the Red Stars is to get past the semifinal hurdle and on to Portland on September 22nd.
Kickoff against the Courage is at 2pm CT on Sunday on ESPN2.
INTERNATIONALS: Nicolas Hasler played 90 minutes in both of Liechtenstein’s UEFA Nations League matches over the weekend. Liechtenstein dropped their opener to Armenia, 2-1, in Yerevan; but rebounded to defeat Gibraltar, 2-0, in Vaduz. Liechtenstein are third in League D, Group 4 with FYR Macedonia leading the group on six points. Armenia are second on three points and ahead of Liechtenstein by virtue of their win.
The team that finishes first wins promotion to League C for the 2021 UEFA Nations League and clinches a playoff berth against other Group D winners for a spot in Euro 2020.
