FC Cincinnati vs. Chicago Fire: Gameday Guide and How to Watch

With four games to go in the 2021 MLS season, the Chicago Fire visit FC Cincinnati at the beautiful new TQL Stadium Wednesday night.

The Fire are coming off a solid, 2-2 draw at Gillette Stadium Saturday night, against the league-leading New England Revolution.

“It was a great performance by us against the number one team in the league,” midfielder Brian Gutierrez said. “It gives us motivation toward the next game. We have a positive mindset—good mood around the whole team.”

Gutierrez should be a good bet to play in Cincinnati. His lingering foot issue has continued to improve, and he’s no longer questionable for this match. The Fire will again be without captain Francisco Calvo, who is undergoing MLS health and safety protocols since returning from international duty. We don’t know exactly what is causing Calvo’s status, but it’s worth noting that he, along with the entire Fire team, has been vaccinated against COVID-19.

The Fire are bad, but not nearly as bad as Cincinnati, who come into the match having lost seven games in a row. It’s a good chance for Chicago to pick up a second road win this season, before heading back to Soldier Field for the final home match of the season against Real Salt Lake on Saturday.

FC Cincinnati vs. Chicago Fire

MLS Match #31 | Wednesday, October 20 | TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, OH

Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. CT

TV: WGN-TV

Streaming: CFFC Live (in the Chicago market), ESPN+ (outside the Chicago market)

Live Twitter Updates: @HotTimeOldTown

Radio: TUDN 1200AM

Chicago Fire Injuries & Absences

QUESTIONABLE: Fabian Herbers (right thigh), Boris Sekulić (back)

OUT: Francisco Calvo (health and safety protocols), Kenneth Kronholm (right knee), Carlos Terán (right thigh)

FC Cincinnati Injuries & Absences

QUESTIONABLE: Yuya Kubo (Ankle), Gustavo Vallecilla (Hamstring)

OUT: Maikel van der Werff (Sports Hernia)

Next up for the Fire

Saturday, October 23 - Chicago Fire vs. Real Salt Lake at Soldier Field, Chicago (7 p.m. CT, WGN-TV, CFFC Live)

Wednesday, October 27 - New York City FC vs Chicago Fire at Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY (6:30 p.m. CT, WGN-TV, CFFC Live)

Sunday, November 7 - Columbus Crew vs. Chicago Fire at Lower.com Field, Columbus, OH (2:30 p.m. CT, WGN-TV, CFFC Live)