2020 MLS Regular Season – Week 7
Chicago Fire FC vs. FC Cincinnati
Soldier Field – Chicago
August 25 – 7:30 PM ET
STREAMING: MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US; MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada
LOCAL TV: Star64, WGN-TV
It's taken longer than anticipated, but Chicago Fire FC's downtown move will be complete Tuesday night as they host FC Cincinnati in their first match at Soldier Field.
The Fire, who previously called SeatGeek Stadium in suburban Bridgeview home, are hoping their Soldier Field opener can provide the needed boost after a 3-0 defeat at Columbus Crew SC in their restart Thursday. FC Cincinnati have proven to be a tough team to break down under former Manchester United center back Jaap Stam with the club earning a point from a 0-0 road draw against the New England Revolution.
Chicago Fire FC
There's no place like home, home is where the heart is, whatever cliche you want to throw out, Tuesday night's first match at Soldier Field is special, a massive part of the club's new-look. Unfortunately, in today's climate, the match will be played without fans in the stands at the downtown venue.
In the loss to Columbus, Chicago suffered on both sides of the field, making critical defensive errors and not capitalizing on chances in the attacking third. A day later, the club announced defensive reinforcement is coming via Colombian youth international 19-year-old defender Carlos Terán in a transfer from Colombian first division club Envigado FC.
- Updated team roster
- Injury Report:
- OUT: Jeremiah Gutjahr (M) - knee injury
- OUT: Johan Kappelhof (D) - hip flexor
- OUT: Kenneth Kronholm (GK) - knee injury
- OUT: Luka Stojanović (M) - knee injury
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution:Fabian Herbers (M)
- International duty: None
FC Cincinnati
FC Cincinnati are quickly forging a reputation as a stout defensive unit difficult to break down, which is certainly Stam's influence. They've conceded just once in the last four games with their latest clean sheet coming in a scoreless draw against D.C. United in Week 6.
“You play with 11 players on the pitch and they all need to defend,” said Stam, who was a world-class defender in his day. “It’s the whole team that is working and trying to work as a block … You see the opposition [D.C.] can’t play through and the last couple of games [FC Cincinnati] have been solid and that’s what it’s all about. We all want to go forward and create opportunities, but we don’t want to concede because from every game you want to take something out of it. And the last couple of games we’ve done that and it’s a positive thing.”
As for attacking help? Reportedly the club have made an offer for 20-year-old Argentine winger Alvaro Barreal out of Velez Sarsfield.
- Updated team roster
- Injury Report:
- OUT: Spencer Richey (GK) - concussion
- QUESTIONABLE: Saad Abdul-Salaam (M) - quad injury
- QUESTIONABLE: Siem de Jong (M) - leg injury
- QUESTIONABLE: Jimmy McLaughlin (M) - ankle injury
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: None
- International duty: None
Series Matchup at Fire
- Fire: 0 wins, 1 goal
- FC Cincinnati: 1 win, 2 goals
- 0 draws
Officials
- Referee: Elton Garcia
- Assistant Referees: Peter Manikowski, Peter Balciunas
- 4th Official: Alex Chilowicz
- VAR: Alan Kelly
