Chicago Fire vs. New York Red Bulls - MLS #20 - Gamethread - 12:00 PM CST - Comcast SportsNet

While some of you are polishing off your morning coffee and maybe even a late breakfast, the Chicago Fire will be kicking off a rare Noon matchup against the New York Red Bulls. As we have stated previously, this match has huge implications on the Eastern Conference Standings. Both teams will be facing sweltering heat in New York, with game time temperatures expected to be pushing the 100 degree mark.

Although this is a hot, midweek game, it looks like we will see most of the preferred XI for both teams. One notable exception will be Arne Friedrich, who will be serving a suspension for his red card (yellow card accumulation) in the Vancouver match. Although subsequent replays have shown the call should have been on Austin Berry and not Arne, there is nothing the team can do about it now. Only straight red cards can be appealed in MLS, so the Fire will most likely turn to the young CB tandem of Jalil Anibaba and Austin Berry.

For those of you in the Chicagoland area, don't forget that we here at Hot Time In Old Town are having a watch party at Mother Hubbard's for the game. So, if you can take a long lunch, be there or be square. In fact, if you can convince your boss that you have caught that "exotic flu going around", that might be even better. Lineups will be posted when announced. Please join us if you can, and hopefully by mid afternoon today we will be celebrating all 3 Fire points.