Preview: Toronto FC versus Chicago Fire

Few expected the Fire to be currently above Toronto FC in the table heading into this match. The Fire are coming off a 2-1 away win at New York Red Bulls and things look better than they did the previous week with some stellar play by goalkeeper Richard Sanchez and Aleksandar Katai stepping up his game after being benched.

What the Fire hope to do is end their six-match losing streak against the defending champions after going unbeaten against TFC in the 12 matches before that. It remains to be seen if Sanchez’s performance against the Red Bulls is what we will see in the future, or an outlier. Is there also enough confidence to put Bastian Schweinsteiger back in the midfield and let Grant Lillard partner Johan Kappelhof in central defense? Mo Adams showed some promise in his first career start last week.

What will be the mindset of Toronto FC be after their heartbreaking loss on Wednesday in the CONCACAF Champions League Final against Chivas in Guadalajara on penalties? Most of the regulars should be available for selection this time after the club had fielded mostly reserves while in the competition. However, TFC must now start from the rear of the field and five points and five teams behind the red line.

The Fire’s two wins this year were smash-and-grab in nature. Long-term injuries to players like Michael de Leeuw and Djordje Mihailovic and a lack of a true #10 pretty much dictate that they win more matches in a smash-and-grab nature. A similar effort will likely be needed if the Fire are going to leave Toronto with at least a point.

Kickoff for the match is 2pm CT on ESPN+ in the United States and CTV in Canada.

Referee: Alan Kelly
Assistant Referees: Brian Dunn, Logan Brown
4th Official: Nima Saghafi
VAR: Kevin Terry Jr.

TORONTO FC — OUT: D – Nick Hagglund (hamstring); QUESTIONABLE: M – Victor Vazquez (back spasms); PROBABLE: D – Chris Mavinga (abdominal discomfort), D – Gregory van der Wiel (Achilles), F – Jozy Altidore (foot), D – Justin Morrow (calf strain), D – Drew Moor (undisclosed)

CHICAGO FIRE — OUT: M – Djordje Mihailovic (right ACL surgery), F – Michael de Leeuw (left ACL surgery), D – Jorge Corrales (infection), D – Matt Polster (MCL sprain), F – Luis Solignac (left quad);

04/21/2017:  TOR 3-1 CHI

08/19/2017:  CHI 1-3 TOR