Chicago Fire vs. Toronto FC | 2019 MLS Match Preview

Dylan Butler

2019 MLS Regular Season – Week 30
Chicago Fire vs. Toronto FC
SeatGeek Stadium – Bridgeview
September 29 – 5:00 PM ET

TV: TSN4

STREAMING: MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US

The Chicago Fire have to win both of their final games to have a chance at clinching an Audi 2019 MLS Cup Playoff berth and they host a Toronto FC squad hoping to challenge for a home playoff game when the Eastern Conference teams meet Sunday at SeatGeek Stadium.

The Fire (9-12-11) are five points below the playoff line with two games to play after extending an unbeaten streak to three games with a scoreless draw against FC Cincinnati Saturday. Nemanja Nikolic had a goal called back for offside in the 15th minute and Kenneth Kronholm made three saves to earn the clean sheet.

Toronto FC (12-10-10) are in sixth place in the East, but are just two points behind fourth-place D.C. United, who occupy the final home game berth. The Reds are unbeaten in their last eight league games, but are coming off a Canadian Championship loss on penalty kicks to rival Montreal Wednesday at BMO Field.

TFC leveled the aggregate series 1-1 on Tsubasa Endoh's 70th-minute goal. The match was decided by PKs after the 90 minutes were up and Bojan, Daniel Lovitz and Rudy Camacho converted from the spot for the Impact. Clement Diop saved Patrick Mullins, whilst Jozy Altidore struck the crossbar and Jonathan Osorio hit the left post for TFC.

This is the second meeting this year with the clubs sharing the points in a 2-2 draw at BMO Field April 6. Toronto FC got an early goal from Altidore, fell behind on momentum-changing goals from CJ Sapong and Nemanja Nikolic, then got a 76th-minute equalizer from Osorio.