Chicago Fire vs. New York Red Bulls: Gameday Guide and How to Watch

The Chicago Fire open the back half of the 2021 MLS season at home against the New York Red Bulls tonight (5 p.m. CT, WGN-TV, CFFC Live), looking to avenge a 2-0 loss at Red Bull Arena earlier this season.

After tonight, there are just five games left at home, and 11 on the road. It’s a brutal stretch to close the season, and if Chicago wants to maintain any glimmer of hope of making the postseason, three points is a must.

“We know how Red Bull plays,” Fire defender Francisco Calvo said. “They’re a really difficult team to break down. They like to play long balls, second balls, but we’re ready for that. We know how to play them. If we control the ball, we’re gonna do a lot of trouble for them.”

Defender Carlos Terán is finally off the injury report for the Fire, but Miguel Navarro is still listed as out, and goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth is questionable. If he can’t go, 17 year old Gabriel Slonina will get a second-straight start. Slonina made four saves and earned a clean sheet in his first pro appearance on Wednesday in a 0-0 draw with NYCFC.

Midfielder Fabian Herbers is back after a one-game suspension for yellow card accumulation, and defender Wyatt Omsberg is also available, after serving his suspension for the DOGSO red card he picked up against Philadelphia.

Watch out, Álvaro: If he picks up a yellow card today, Fire midfielder Álvaro Medrán faces a one-game suspension for yellow card accumulation.

READ: What can we expect from Federico Navarro, the Fire’s new signing who was once described as having “three lungs”?

Chicago Fire vs. New York Red Bulls

MLS Match #18 | Sunday, August 8 | Soldier Field, Chicago

Kickoff: 5:00 p.m. CT

TV: WGN-TV

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

Radio: TUDN 1200AM

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: Bobby Shuttleworth (left knee)

New York Red Bulls Injuries & Absences

• OUT: Aaron Long (Achilles)
• OUT: Youba Diarra (hamstring)
• OUT: Cameron Harper (hip)
• QUESTIONABLE: Danny Royer (thigh)
• QUESTIONABLE: Andres Reyes (hamstring)

Next up for the Fire

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)

Saturday, August 21 - Orlando City vs. Chicago Fire at Exploria Stadium, Orlando, FL (7 p.m. CT, WGN-TV, CFFC Live)

Saturday, August 28 - New York Red Bulls vs. Chicago Fire at Red Bull Arena, Harrison, NJ (5 p.m. CT, WGN-TV, CFFC Live)