2020 MLS Regular Season – Week 17
Chicago Fire FC vs. D.C. United
Soldier Field – Chicago
October 11 – 7:30 PM ET
STREAMING: MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US
LOCAL TV: WJLA 24/7 News, WGN-TV
Chicago Fire FC are looking to extend a home winning streak to three games when they take on struggling D.C. United Sunday night at Soldier Field.
Fire FC (4W-8L-4D) are coming off a 1-0 loss to Sporting Kansas City Wednesday night, while D.C. United (2W-9L-5D) suffered a fourth straight loss in a seven-match winless streak with a 4-1 defeat at New York City FC.
The teams have played to a draw in each of the last three meetings, including a 0-0 stalemate last July in Bridgeview.
Chicago Fire FC
The Fire had their three-match unbeaten run snapped Wednesday night, falling 1-0 at Sporting KC. Winston Reid, on loan from Premier League side West Ham United, headed home from close range in the 67th minute, with the Fire unable to produce a response.
"On the road, you're not going to get six, seven, eight, hundred percent chances like we had, two or three, and that was the difference," Raphael Wicky said. "They had that one set piece where they scored and we were not able to score. But overall, again a lot of positives, we have to take that. It hurts right now, a lot. Players, as well, they are inside; their heads are down. But tomorrow we have to get up and keep moving forward and keep working and take the positives out of that.”
- Updated team roster
- Injury Report:
- OUT: Jeremiah Gutjahr (M) - knee injury
- OUT: Kenneth Kronholm (GK) - knee injury
- OUT: Luka Stojanović (M) - knee injury
- OUT: Brandt Bronico (M) - knee injury
- Suspended: Francisco Calvo (D)
- Suspended after next caution: None
- International duty: Gaston Gimenez (M), Miguel Navarro (D)
D.C. United
The struggle is real and continues for D.C. United, which conceded a penalty inside the opening five minutes and suffered a 4-1 defeat at Yankee Stadium Wednesday night. Ola Kamara responded from the penalty spot to equalize in the 12th minute, but the Cityens scored three times after halftime to pull away.
It marked the end of the Ben Olsen era as head coach. After 10 years at the helm, and 22 in the organization after a legendary playing career, Olsen and the club have parted ways, effective immediately. Assistant coach Chad Ashton takes over as interim manager.
“It is now time for a change. It is the right move," Olsen said in a statement. "The club needs a new face and this is the right time for the club and also for me personally to move in a different direction. I spent the last 22 years waking up every morning thinking about how I could try to make this club better. I definitely didn’t get everything right, but I know I always gave everything I had to try to help this club achieve success. I want to thank everyone at the club, past and present, and all our fans for their support throughout this journey. I am very much looking forward to my next chapter and supporting the club I love.”
- Updated team roster
- Injury Report:
- OUT: Paul Arriola (M) - ACL injury
- OUT: Edison Flores (M) - facial injury
- OUT: Ulises Segura (M) - undisclosed injury
- OUT: Felipe (M) - ACL injury
- OUT: Mohammed Abu (M) - undisclosed injury
- OUT: Steve Birnbaum (D) - undisclosed injury
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: Frederic Brillant (D), Russell Canouse (D)
- International duty: None
Series Matchup at Fire FC
- Fire FC: 11 wins, 46 goals
- D.C. United: 7 wins, 33 goals
- 12 draws
Officials
- Referee: Allen Chapman
- Assistant Referees: Cameron Blanchard, Andrew Bigelow
- 4th Official: Alex Chilowicz
- VAR: Malik Badawi
