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The Chicago Fire kick off a three game home stand at Soldier Field tonight, hosting New York City FC (7 p.m. CT, WGN-TV, CFFC Live).
It marks the first time these two teams have played in 2021. Last time they met, it was NYCFC keeping the Fire out of the 2020 playoffs after a wild, 4-3 game at Soldier Field to close out last season.
During a recent Soldier Field home stand, the Fire were able to break out of a scoring slump, scoring nine goals in three games. The team has struggled to score since then, but they hope to turn it around tonight.
“We’ve been working pretty hard in the trainings, being more serious, even when there are no goalkeepers,” said Fire forward Chinonso Offor, who, last time out, earned a start over Robert Berić. “It’s been helping us, and we hope to continue from there.”
The Fire will be without Fabian Herbers, who is serving a one game suspension for yellow card accumulation. Wyatt Omsberg is also slated to be suspended after his controversial red card against Philadelphia, although Chicago has appealed, and should get a decision from the review board sometime today. If the Fire are successful in overturning the red, Omsberg can play.
Chicago’s injury report has one glaring issue: Bobby Shuttleworth, who leads the Eastern Conference in saves, is listed as questionable for the match. If he can’t go, we’ll see the debut of teenager Gabriel Slonina in goal.
Chicago Fire vs. New York City FC
MLS Match #17 | Wednesday, August 4 | Soldier Field, Chicago
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. CT
TV: WGN-TV
Streaming: CFFC Live (in the Chicago market), ESPN+ (outside the Chicago market)
Radio: WOJO 105.1 FM
Live Twitter Updates: @HotTimeOldTown
Chicago Fire Injuries & Absences
- OUT: Kenneth Kronholm (right knee)
- OUT: Javier Casas Jr. (right shin)
- OUT: Miguel Navarro (right knee)
- QUESTIONABLE: Carlos Teran (right shin)
- QUESTIONABLE: Elliot Collier (left foot)
- QUESTIONABLE: Bobby Shuttleworth (left knee)
NYCFC Injuries & Absences
- OUT: Heber (knee)
- OUT: Talles Magno (undisclosed)
Next up for the Fire
Sunday, August 8 - Chicago Fire vs. New York Red Bulls at Soldier Field, Chicago (5 p.m. CT, WGN-TV, CFFC Live)
Sunday, August 15 - Chicago Fire vs. Columbus Crew at Soldier Field, Chicago (5 p.m. CT, WGN-TV. CFFC Live)
Wednesday, August 18 - Inter Miami vs. Chicago Fire at DRV PNK Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, FL (6:30 p.m. CT, WGN-TV, CFFC Live)