The Chicago Fire will look to extend their five-match unbeaten streak and consolidate their playoff position at BC Place against the Vancouver Whitecaps. Despite a rash of injuries and a lack of depth, Veljko Paunovic has done more with less and the Fire got a crucial come-from-behind win over New York City FC last Saturday night.

However, the Fire are 0-11-4 all-time in Cascadia and 0-3-0 all-time in all competitions in Vancouver. The Fire did get a draw in Seattle two weeks ago.

Aleksandar Katai leads the Fire with eight goals on the season, including two in the win over NYCFC. He is currently on loan untilJuly 31stand the Fire still need to figure out keeping him at least through the end of this season.

Vancouver have followed a six-match unbeaten streak with back-to-back losses. Last Sunday’s loss at home to Colorado was the result of a fluky goal and not being able to get anything past Tim Howard. Despite that, the Whitecaps remain in sixth position in the West, just a point clear of Houston and LA Galaxy. Joint-scoring leader Cristian Techera is serving the second of a three-match ban for offensive language during the loss at Philadelphia.

It’s suffice to say that both teams have been mysteries wrapped inside enigmas this season. Consistency has been an issue for both sides this season as a whole. The Fire will come into this match the more confident side and will look to end the hoodoo in Cascadia at least in Vancouver. Their last visit in 2016 was a 2-1 loss after a late goal by Blas Perez.

Kickoff is at9:30pmon ESPN+ in Chicago and the United States and TSN2 and DAZN in Canada.

SUSPENDED:

VAN:  Cristian Techera

SUSPENDED NEXT YELLOW:

CHI:  Kevin Ellis

INJURIES:

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC—DOUBTFUL:  G – Stefan Marinovic (left knee sprain); QUESTIONABLE: D – Kendall Waston (left groin strain)

CHICAGO FIRE–OUT: M – Djordje Mihailovic (right ACL surgery), F – Michael de Leeuw (left ACL surgery), D – Matt Polster (MCL surgery), GK – Patrick McLain (hamstring injury), D – Drew Conner (right calf injury), F – Luis Solignac (left quad injury); QUESTIONABLE: D – Kevin Ellis (left hamstring injury), M – Daniel Johnson (head injury)

Referee:  Robert Sibiga

4th Official:  Drew Fischer

VAR:  Jon Freemon

LAST YEAR:

7/01/17:  CHI 4-0 VAN