FIRE: It’s a worrying sign when Chicago Fire FC have more red cards (four) than goals (three) in the month of April. As stated last Saturday, it is already the most red cards in a single season for the Fire since 2013. The four reds in four league matches is more than the three in the past 62 league matches dating back to the start of the 2020 season.
No Rafael Czichos or Jhon Duran for Atlanta this coming Saturday (5pm, WGN), but Jairo Torres is now in town from Atlas and Chris Mueller may be coming as well. The Fire need all the goal-scoring help they can get to get back into the swing of things in the Eastern Conference.
TORRES: Jairo Torres will wear #7 for the Fire (similar when playing for the Mexican National Team), but he expects to be very versatile in midfield.
“In truth, a coach once told me that I’m a player that I’m very versatile and that’s how players get seen more when they’re able to play everywhere,” said Torres at his introductory press conference on Tuesday. “So I’m going to play wherever I’m needed. And wherever they put me, I’m going to do my best wherever I’m on the field.”
Torres has been following the Fire since signing and there is one player is especially looking forward to playing with. No points for guessing who that is.
“Ever since I signed I’ve been watching the team and following along, watching games, checking scores,” said Torres. “A player that stands out is Xherdan (Shaqiri). He’s an exceptional player, a world-class player. And really all of my teammates have great quality. They’re great players. And maybe recently in the games there have been some ejections and things that maybe haven’t favored the team very well.
“ButI think it’s going to be a great team, and a very competitive team. And I’m here to compete for my spot as well.”
RED STARS: Few teams have done more with less than the Chicago Red Stars. Without the likes of Casey Kreuger, Rachel Hill, Kealia Watt, Tierna Davidson, and Mallory Pugh; the Red Stars still managed to get a 2-1 win in their opening regular season match over Racing Louisville. The depth will be tested again in Bridgeview on Saturday against Washington (unless Washington win their Challenge Cup semifinal on Wednesday against OL Reign). It will be the first meeting since last year’s NWSL Championship match and the Red Stars will be looking to extract some sort of revenge against the Spirit.
Should Washington win their Challenge Cup semifinal, that would postpone Saturday’s match as the Spirit would be playing in the Challenge Cup final that day against Kansas City or North Carolina. The Red Stars’ next game would likely be at San Diego Wave on May 15th.
Chicago Fire
Chicago Red Stars
