Charlotte FC (9-12-2, 7th in East) vs. Chicago Fire FC (7-10-6, 10th in East)
It’s the inaugural match between Chicago Fire FC and Charlotte FC at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. Both teams are looking to be above the playoff line in the Eastern Conference with Charlotte currently above it in seventh and the Fire two points below it in tenth.
Charlotte has impressed at home this season at 8-3-0 and recently broke a two-match losing streak with a 3-0 win on Wednesday against DC United. Karol Swiderski leads Charlotte with six goals and three assists on the year.
The Fire have had problems in recent years with first-year MLS sides. In fact, the last time they defeated a first-year MLS team in their first season was back in 2007 at Toronto FC (four losses and six draws since). They have won just two of their last eleven against first-year MLS teams since May 2015 with those wins coming against Atlanta United in 2017 and LAFC in 2018.
The Fire made some moved before the transfer window shut with goalkeeper Gaga Slonina heading to Chelsea at the end of this season and trading forward Chinoso Offor to CF Montreal for $325K in general allocation money. However, there were no additions the Fire can ill-afford more injuries with Carlos Teran now out four weeks with a thigh injury and Wyatt Omsberg out long-term. Expect Mauricio Pineda to fill in at center back alongside Rafael Czichos.
It’s a log jam in the Eastern Conference with five points separating fifth from 12th. The Fire will need wins on the road if they are going to make the playoffs and stay ahead of the jam. Charlotte may not be the easiest place to get one, but they might be able to take advantage of a team that played on Wednesday night.
Kickoff is at 6pm CT on WGN-TV.
INJURIES:
CHARLOTTE FC: QUESTIONABLE: Kerwin Vargas (knee); OUT: Vinicius Mello (left foot surgery), Adam Armour (left knee surgery)
CHICAGO FIRE FC: OUT: Jhon Espinoza (right knee), Stanislav Ivanov (right thigh), Wyatt Omsberg (left foot), Carlos Teran (right thigh)
SUSPENDED NEXT YELLOW:
CHI: Miguel Navarro
Referee: Marcos DeOliveira
Assistant Referees: Andrew Bigelow, Tyler Wyrostek
Fourth Official: Luis Arroyo
VAR: Jair Marrufo
