After a stretch of three games at Soldier Field, the Fire are back on the road this weekend. In this stretch of three games, the Fire were unbeaten, yet only came away with all three points in one match. Against D.C. United three weeks ago, the Fire were unable to find a breakthrough in a 0-0 draw that certainly warranted a Fire goal and last week against Philadelphia, the Fire blew their third 2-0 lead of the season and conceded yet another draw.
In terms of records, the Fire’s opponents also have drawn twice and won just once in their last three matches.
The Fire have been plagued with injuries since matchweek one, but the return of Xherdan Shaqiri last weekend might be a sign of things turning around for Chicago. Although he is again listed as questionable for tonight’s match, we’ll most likely see Shaq feature in the 2nd half as he did last week against Philly. Neither Jairo Torres nor Federico Navarro made the squad for last week’s match against the Union. Although it looks unlikely that Torres is fit enough to make tonight’s match, manager Ezra Hendrickson reported that Navarro will most likely be involved tonight.
Another concern in terms of injuries in midfield is Gastón Giménez. Although he is not listed on the injury report, Gastón was subbed off at halftime last weekend and did not train with the Fire for the majority of the week. Victor Bezerra is the only Fire player who has been 100% ruled out for tonight’s match, everyone else’s inclusion remains possible.
For Atlanta, Ozzie Alonso and former Premier League and USMNT goalkeeper Brad Guzan are both ruled out of tonight’s match.
Questionable inclusions include Giorgios Giakoumakis, Franco Ibarra, and World Cup winner Thiago Almada. Fire fans will certainly be hoping that Almada and Gakoumakis aren’t fit enough to make the match as the pair has 4 goals each in addition to Almada’s 5 assists thus far this season.
Chicago Fire vs. Atlanta United
MLS Matchday 9 | Saturday, April 23 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Kickoff: 3:30 PM CST
Watch: Fox Sports 1 / Free on Apple TV
Commentators: Steve Cangialosi / Danny Higginbotham
