Chicago Fire FC vs. New England Revolution | 2020 MLS Match Preview

CHI-NE Week 10 09-06-2020

2020 MLS Regular Season – Week 10
Chicago Fire FC vs. New England Revolution
Soldier Field – Chicago
September 6 – 7:30 PM ET


STREAMING: MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, on DAZN in Canada


LOCAL TV: NBC Sports Boston, WGN-TV


Chicago Fire FC are hoping for a repeat performance of their Soldier Field reboot when they convincingly defeated FC Cincinnati, but they'll take on a New England Revolution squad that will be revved up to rebound from a resounding 2-0 home defeat to New York City FC Wednesday. 


This is the second meeting between the teams this year after they shared the points in a 1-1 draw at Gillette Stadium March 7. Adam Buksa scored his first goal for his new club, but veteran Jonathan Bornstein leveled in the second half for Chicago.


Chicago Fire FC


Ignacio Aliseda had a potential go-ahead goal midway through the second half disallowed for a handball, and the Fire were arguably the better side after halftime. But unlike eight days earlier in their 3-0 win over Cincy in their long-awaited return to Soldier Field, they couldn't find the finishing touch and settled for a 0-0 draw at Nippert Stadium.


"It's not an easy place to play here as you guys all know. No one really scores here much. No one really wins here," Raphael Wicky said. "They are very tough to play in their 5-3-2, we knew that so we started a bit slow and then we actually had to fight into the game which was very, very positive and we actually fought ourselves into the game.”

Chicago Fire FC vs. New England Revolution | 2020 MLS Match Preview - Project Starting XI
  • 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
    • OUT: CJ Sapong (F) - undisclosed injury
  • Suspended: None
  • Suspended after next caution: Fabian Herbers (M)
  • International duty: None


New England Revolution


The Revs' seven-match unbeaten streak was snapped Wednesday in emphatic fashion with New York City FC dominating in their trip to Gillette Stadium. There were few positive takeaways for Bruce Arena on the night. But the coach said the Revs struggles in the attacking third aren't about chance creation.


“We've created enough chances in games to get more goals, and whether you want to call it the final touch or not, that's up to you and all,” Arena said in his virtual press conference Friday. “But we clearly need to be better with our chances and create more as well.”

Chicago Fire FC vs. New England Revolution | 2020 MLS Match Preview - Project Starting XI
  • Updated team roster
  • Injury Report:
    • OUT: Luis Caicedo (M) - right knee injury
    • OUT: Carles Gil (M) - left Achilles injury
  • Suspended: None
  • Suspended after next caution: None
  • International duty: None


Series Matchup at Fire FC


  • Fire FC: 17 wins, 60 goals
  • Revolution: 5 wins, 36 goals
  • 9 draws


Officials


  • Referee: Robert Sibiga
  • Assistant Referees: Peter Balciunas, Benjamin Hall-Volpenhein
  • 4th Official: Ismir Pekmic
  • VAR: Hilario Grajeda