The Fire Begin Third and Final Phase of Preseason

The Chicago Fire are rounding the preseason home stretch into the new MLS season. Per the official press release:

The Men In Red will train at IMG from Feb. 12-23 before a brief stop in Orlando on the 24th, and will additionally play four matches over the course of the next 13 days as they continue to gear up for their March 10 season opener at Toyota Park against Sporting Kansas City.

So here’s what the rest of the agenda looks like before the Fire come back home:

• Wednesday, Feb. 14 vs. the Montreal Impact - IMG Academy - 6 p.m. CT
• Saturday, Feb. 17 vs. Florida Gulf Coast University - IMG Academy - 3:30 p.m. CT
• Wednesday, Feb. 21 vs. Nashville SC - IMG Academy - 3 p.m. CT
• Saturday, Feb. 24 at Orlando City SC - Orlando City Stadium - 10 a.m. CT

As we mentioned yesterday, the Fire have welcomed former USYNT midfielder Omar Castro as a trialist. The former Eintracht Braunschweig squad member joins Joshua Gatt and undrafted SuperDraft rookie Albert Ruiz from the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles for this final stretch of preseason.

Bastian Schweinsteiger is also back with the team— and he has the Instagram posts to prove it.

This is an important trip for the German International as he looks to build on last season’s great performance. It will be interesting to see if he hits the field this preseason or if Paunovic holds off to preserve his legs for the long campaign ahead.

The Fire’s last preseason commitments include 2018 Chicago Fire Foundation Season Kickoff Luncheon on Monday, Feb. 26th and a friendly against USL affiliate Tulsa Roughnecks at Toyota Park on Saturday, March 3.

Here’s to a great season!