Chicago Fire vs. D.C. United: Gameday Guide and How to Watch

The Chicago Fire are back at Soldier Field Wednesday night against D.C. United (7 p.m. CT, WGN-TV/CFFC Live), looking to forget about the brutal 5-1 loss to Nashville SC last time out.

Fire fans could see the debut of Stanislav Ivanov, the speedy winger who had insiders raving before he picked up a knee injury in preseason. After taking part in full team training last week, Ivanov was added to the roster on Monday. It’s very unlikely he’s ready to start after spending so much time away, but an appearance off the bench would make sense as he works up to full match fitness.

The Fire will be without defender Johan Kappelhof, who is serving a suspension for the red card he picked up in the first half against Nashville. Head coach Raphael Wicky is also away dealing with a family matter in Switzerland, so assistant Frank Klopas will be in charge for the second straight game.

After the dismal performance against Nashville, Klopas may want to give the players a bit of advice from fellow coach Ted Lasso—”be a goldfish”—something forward Chinonso Offor seems to understand.

“We just take our minds off the last game, and concentrate on this game,” Offor said, channeling his inner Sam Obisanya. “Give everything 100 percent.”

Some fans were stunned to see Jonathan Bornstein, who had been a key part of the team’s two game winning streak prior to Nashville, on the bench last Saturday. It’s likely with the team facing three games in eight days, it was just a bit of rest for the 36-year-old. If Klopas keeps the same 3-5-2, Bornstein is a shoo in to start tonight, especially considering Francisco Calvo is still gone on international duty, and Carlos Terán remains injured.

Watch Out: With his next yellow card, Fire midfielder Fabian Herbers faces a suspension for yellow card accumulation. Álvaro Medrán is two yellows away from a suspension.

Chicago Fire vs. D.C. United

MLS Match #14 | Wednesday, July 21 | Soldier Field, Chicago

Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. CT

TV: WGN-TV

Chicago Area Steaming: CFFC Live - free at ChicagoFireFC.com or the Chicago Fire mobile app for fans living in the Chicago TV market

Out of Market Streaming: ESPN+ (use our link to subscribe and help support Hot Time!)

Radio: 105.1 FM

Live Twitter Updates: @HotTimeOldTown

Chicago Fire Injuries & Absences

• OUT: Kenneth Kronholm (right knee)
• OUT: Carlos Terán (right shin)
• OUT: Francisco Calvo (international duty)
• OUT: Johan Kappelhof (red card suspension)

D.C. United Injuries & Absences

• OUT: Brendan Hines-Ike (injury)
• OUT: Paul Arriola (international duty)
• OUT: Donovan Pines (international duty)

Next up for the Fire

Saturday, July 24 - Chicago Fire vs. Toronto FC at Soldier Field, Chicago (7 p.m. CT, WGN-TV/CFFC Live)

Sunday, August 1 - Philadelphia Union vs. Chicago Fire at Subaru Park, Chester, PA (5 p.m. CT, UniMas)