Inter Miami CF vs. Chicago Fire FC
DRV PNK Stadium
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Chicago Fire FC begin their 25th season where they began their first. The stadium is different as well as the team, but it is hoped that the Fire will begin this season like they did that season with a win in Fort Lauderdale. The Fire have not won their opening match since 2009 (8 losses, 4 draws).
There is some optimism heading into this season now that Xherdan Shaqiri, Kacper Przybylko, and Raphael Czichos are on the squad to bring veteran leadership to a team that sorely lacked it last season. There’s also new coach Ezra Hendrickson who is heading his first club after years as an assistant at both Seattle and Columbus.
One player who may not feature for the Fire is midfielder Federico Navarro who is a question mark with a knee injury.
Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham has preached for patience as the Herons are re-tooling yet again after a poor 2021 season. Sporting director Chris Henderson offloaded 17 players from last season and brought in players like DeAndre Yedlin. About the only other familiar face for the Herons is Gonzalo Higuain after brother Federico retired after last season.
It is expected to be a tough third season for Inter Miami, though last season they got the split with the Fire with each team winning at home. It has been a tough decade plus for the the Fire, they need Shaqiri to be the marquee player in attack he can be and Przybylko to score goals like he did in Philadelphia. Other than that, they need to reduce the mistakes and mental errors that dogged this team in 2021. Getting off to a winning start will continue the optimism going into the home opening a week from Saturday vs. Orlando.
Kickoff is at 5pm CT on WGN-TV and online at CF97 Live.
