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Ignacio Aliseda is nothing if not confident.
“I’m very certain that we’re going to qualify for the playoffs,” the Argentine attacker told reporters during a conference call Friday. But is crazy? Maybe not. Sure, the Chicago Fire have struggled this season. With nine points through 11 matches, the team sits 12th in the Eastern Conference standings. That’s the bad news.
The good news? In the East, the top 10 teams make the playoffs this season. Teams 1-6 qualify directly, and teams 7-10 will each compete in a play-in match.
That puts the Fire just two points out of the final playoff spot. If Chicago can somehow steal three points tonight away at Orlando City, a playoff spot won’t seen so far fetched. To do that, the Fire will need to avoid the careless defensive mistakes that have plagued the team this season, and actually finish some chances on the other end. CJ Sapong and Djordje Mihailovic are both available, which should help on the attacking end.
Orlando City SC vs. Chicago Fire FC
Saturday, September 19, 2020
MLS Regular Season Match #12 | Exploria Stadium, Orlando, FL
TV: WGN-TV (local)
Streaming: ESPN+ (sign up using our link!)
Radio: 105.1 WOJO-HD2
Live Twitter Updates: @HotTimeOldTown (from Ruben)
Next Up: Chicago Fire vs. Houston Dynamo | Wednesday, Sept. 23 | Soldier Field, Chicago | 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: M - Przemyslaw Frankowski (undisclosed injury)
Orlando City SC
- OUT: F - Dom Dwyer (knee injury)
- OUT: D - Joao Moutinho (groin injury)