2020 MLS Regular Season – Week 24
Chicago Fire FC vs. New York City FC
Soldier Field – Chicago
November 8 – 3:30 PM ET
STREAMING: MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US
LOCAL TV: WGN-TV, YES
Chicago Fire FC can clinch a berth in the Audi 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs with a Decision Day presented by AT&T victory over New York City FC when the Eastern Conference foes square off at Soldier Field Sunday afternoon.
Fire FC (5W-9L-8D) return to the friendly confines of their downtown home hoping to snap a six-match winless streak, which includes a 2-2 midweek tie against Minnesota United, their fifth draw in that span. NYCFC (11W-8L-3D) will be trying to make sure they can secure the No. 5 seed in the East in the playoffs as they look to continue their strong form down the stretch of the season.
- Playoff scenarios:How Decision Day could impact the playoff field
- What's at stake: Key races to watch for during Decision Day's 13 games
- Playoff schedule:Match schedule, dates, times and TV details
The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Fullback Anton Tinnerholm scored a goal and added an assist as NYCFC took a 3-1 win Aug. 29 at Red Bull Arena.
Chicago Fire FC
A win would have done the Fire wonders and goals by Robert Beric and Mauricio Pineda gave Chicago a two-goal lead with a little more than a half hour remaining Wednesday night. But the Loons rallied for a pair of unanswered goals, including Robin Lod's equalizer in the 80th minute. Still, a draw keeps Chicago's playoff hopes alive, though at 1.05 points per game and just above the playoff line, the margin for error is razor-thin.
"We have shown throughout the whole season that we can compete with every team, that we can beat teams," Raphael Wicky said after the match. "So I'm confident. Right now, I'm disappointed. But of course, I'm confident to go into the game against New York City at home that we can win that, of course.”
- Updated team roster
- Injury Report:
- OUT: Kenneth Kronholm (GK) - knee injury
- OUT: Luka Stojanović (M) - knee injury
- OUT: Andre Reynolds II (D) - undisclosed injury
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: Mauricio Pineda (D), Alvaro Medran (M)
- International duty: None
New York City FC
Taty Castellanos struck for a hat trick as NYCFC erased a first-half deficit to erupt for four goals without response in a 5-2 Hudson River Derby victory last Sunday at Yankee Stadium. It is the Cityzens heaviest Derby win, their third win in a row. With a top-four spot still within reach, there's plenty to play for in the Windy City.
"We knew that if we won this game that we would keep it exciting until the last game," Ronny Deila said after the match. "Now Orlando and Columbus can't [make] any mistakes. If they do, then we are (right) there if we do our job.
"Chicago's going to be a tough game. They are one of the best teams to play. If we don't [play well] there, we can get in big trouble. But at the same time, we beat them last time and we really want to do that again."
- Updated team roster
- Injury Report:
- OUT: Gedion Zelalem (M) - knee injury
- OUT: Tayvon Gray (D) - undisclosed injury
- OUT: Heber (F) - ACL injury
- OUT: James Sands (M) - fractured right foot
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: Anton Tinnerholm (D)
- International duty: None
Series Matchup at Fire FC
- Fire FC: 2 wins, 9 goals
- NYCFC: 1 win, 8 goals
- 2 draws
Officials
- Referee: Fotis Bazakos
- Assistant Referees: Andrew Bigelow, Peter Balciunas
- 4th Official: Timothy Ford
- VAR: Jose Carlos Rivero
