There’s not a whole lot to say about this game. The Fire are heading into this match as clear underdogs. New York City can clinch a playoff spot with a win. The Men In Red will be playing for spite and trying to make them wait a few more days. Chicago deep dish pizza is the best and all your jokes about it being a casserole are stolen from Jon Stewart, who isn’t even that funny.

Alright good talk everyone, let’s do this thing.

Chicago Fire all-time MLS record vs New York City FC: 2W-3D-3L, 12 GF / 15 GA, 9 pts out of 24

Chicago Fire away MLS record vs New York City FC: 0W-2D-2L, 4 GF / 8 GA, 2 pts out of 12

Previously On...

Two points from their last three games. They’re actually haven’t won a game since August 12th, when they beat Toronto FC. Six game winless streak. Of course, they’re probably looking at us as an easy win. The Fire will have to find a way to complicate matters.

Suggested Lineup

Sanchez; Vincent, Schweinsteiger, Kappelhof, Hasler; Bronico, McCarty; De Leeuw, Mihailovic, Katai; Nikolic

Same lineup from Saturday. I don’t think it’ll fare as well against NYCFC, but this is probably the best we can do right now.

(I’m operating under the assumption that Basti will play. I’m also expecting to be proven wrong.)

Keys To The Match

Score First: The Fire have scored first in the last two games. They earned four points out of six. I’m just saying, the numbers speak for themselves.

Call Me Ismael: Y’all, Ismael Tajouri-Shradi is good at soccer. If the Fire have any hope of getting anything out of this game, they need to figure out how to shut him down. Hardly anyone has managed it this season so, uh.

Redemption Songs: There’s no sugar coating this— Richard Sanchez needs to step the fuck up. The midfield and defense are going to be overrun. It’s NYC, it’s what they do. Sanchez can put it good games. It’s the consistency that’s the problem. We need him to have a good game.

How To Watch

Television: N/A

Streaming: ESPN+

Final Thoughts

Can the Fire grind out a result? Let us know in the comments below!