:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67394502/1271201065.jpg.0.jpg)
The Chicago Fire are back at home at Soldier Field this afternoon, hosting the first place Columbus Crew (2:30 p.m. CT, Univision & TUDN).
These two teams met a little more than three weeks ago in Columbus, with the Crew soundly defeating the Fire 3-0. After that last meeting, Fire coach Raphael Wicky said he felt the match was far closer than the score indicated. He wasn’t wrong—the score was only 1-0 Columbus through 81 minutes, when a Darlington Nagbe golazo ended up in the back of the net, doubling the Crew’s lead, and killing Chicago’s chances of a comeback.
Since then, the Fire have struggled to score goals, but they could have a boost on the bench this afternoon. Last year’s team leading scorer CJ Sapong was back in training this week, and he could be available as an option off the bench today, Wicky said.
The Fire sit in last place in the Eastern Conference, but they’re only a few points out of a playoff spot. A win against the first-place Crew would be a great place to start turning things around
“I believe in this team,” Wicky said. “I believe in these players. I believe in what we do, that we will turn this around. I don’t know when, but I believe that if we keep working on the things we are doing not so good and doing these things better, and the team is doing a lot of things better, for example, than four weeks ago or three weeks ago, and if we keep working on creating, on the playing style, I’m pretty sure we will turn this thing around.“
Chicago Fire FC vs. Columbus Crew
Saturday, September 12, 2020
MLS Regular Season Match #11 | Soldier Field, Chicago
TV: Univision & TUDN (en español)
Streaming: @TUDNUSA Twitter (in English)
Radio: 105.1 WOJO-HD2
Live Twitter Updates: @HotTimeOldTown (from Ruben)
Next Up: Orlando City SC vs. Chicago Fire FC | Saturday, Sept. 19 | Exploria Stadium, Orlando, FL | 6:30 p.m. CT | WGN-TV & ESPN+
Chicago Fire Injuries
- OUT: GK - Kenneth Kronholm (torn ACL, meniscus tear 8/11, out for season)
- OUT: M - Luka Stojanovic (MCL surgery 7/23)
- OUT: D - Johan Kappelhof (hip flexor)
- OUT: M - Jeremiah Gutjahr (knee injury)
- QUESTIONABLE: F - Elliot Collier (undisclosed injury)
Orlando City SC
- OUT: F - Dom Dwyer (knee injury)
- OUT: D - Joao Moutinho (groin injury)