Match Preview: CHI v DC

This game see’s us head over to the windy city of Chicago, Illinois. To a side who are currently sat 3rd bottom in the Eastern Conference, who have just won once in the last 6 ties, and just 5 times overall all season. Chicago have issues on and off the field, and DCU have a job to do. We have been on the road for the 3rd game in the row, and the Fire will want to burn bright once again. Can we rain on their parade? I’ll stop with these puns and look at what could happen.

DC United

DC United come off the back of the late defeat in Atlanta. A tie in which it took all the effort to keep them out for 89 minutes, to fall at the final hurdle. I hope the team are hurt from that and come out this weekend looking to score a couple of goals to make sure that doesn’t happen again. Rooney has been back in the UK the last week as he had picked up a minor knock in the game against Cincy, and should be back for this game. Ben Olsen has been consistent in the formation recently and will have a huge decision to make as Acosta has returned too. Will he go back to the 4-2-3-1 or will he continue 3-4-2-1 and drop a key attacker? If I was a betting man, I’d see Ben going back to the 4-2-3-1.

Could we see the strongest lineup out today? From what I’ve seen, we should be able to. I’d love to see Pines play but that would been dropping Acosta up top. And I’m not so sure that would happen.

Chicago Fire

Chicago have struggled all season. Recording just 5 wins all season, and none on the road. They’ve conceded 14 goals at home and scored 26 in 12 matches. Coming off the Leagues Cup (Pointless trophy) defeat in midweek, and just 1 win in the last 6 at home, they’ll be looking to add to that W column. When looking at the times they score goals, Chicago are very strong at the end of the game, somehow they manage to get something out of the tank when teams tend to wind down. They’ve also never failed to score at home in MLS this season. Their most recent win came against MLS Cup champions, Atlanta United, in which will be seen as one of the big shocks of the season, the result being 5-1.

Match Prediction

My prediction is that there will be goals. DC have scored 6 goals in the last 6 away ties, 4 coming against Cincy, and with Chicago being in a similar position right now, they’ll be looking to have a good win. DC last won in Chicago in 2015, so it isn’t the best stadium for us, however, if we can get the best side out, which is highly likely, I can see us turning the Fire over. My score prediction is…

Where to watch

In the USA, it’s being broadcast on FloFC.

Streaming: Bet365

TV: Sky Sports Football