Verdict: Both teams to score
Best odds: 3/5
Bookmaker: Unibet
The 2022 season in the MLS ploughs on, and for Chicago Fire, the next match is set to take place on Wednesday evening (a few hours past midnight in Europe), when Toronto FC come to town to do battle at the Soldier Field.
Chicago Fire
It hasn’t been an easy campaign for Chicago Fire; or their supporters for that matter. With 19 matches played so far, they are stuck to the bottom of the table in the Eastern Conference, and their chances of reaching the play-off places seem about as likely as taking a walk on the Moon. They’ve lost 10 games so far, winning four and drawing five, which means their tally stands at 17 points at the moment.
Ezra Hendrickson’s men did, however, manage to win two of their last six matches, all played in the league. The run starts with a 3-2 defeat away to Toronto, followed by a 1-0 triumph over D.C. United who sit directly above with 17 points as well, though with two matches in hand. Then came a 2-0 defeat against Dynamo in Houston, a 1-0 win at home over Philadelphia Union, a 2-1 defeat away to San Jose Earthquakes, and a 2-3 defeat away to Columbus Crew.
At the break in that match, it seemed Chicago would emerge triumphant and finally pull away from the bottom of the Conference as Rafael Czichos and Christopher Matthew Muller put them two goals ahead. However, Crew struck back fiercely in the second half, and goals from substitutes Derrick Etienne (two) and Chucho Hernandez were enough to turn the contest upside down. To complete Chicago’s misery, defender Miguel Navarro picked up a straight red card in the 90th minute.
Team News
With Navarro obviously suspended, Jonathan Bornstein is the likeliest man to take the place on the left defensive flank, and Boris Sekulic could take the right side ahead of Jhon Espinoza. Wyatt Omsberg (foot) and Kendall Burks (knee) will be missing from the back line as well.
Upfront, Xherdan Shaqiri is set to continue in the No.10 role, behind striker Kacper Przybylko.
Toronto FC
Yes, Chicago have had a pretty rough time this season, but Toronto haven’t exactly set the league alight either. With 19 points, just two more than Chicago at the bottom, they are in 12th place, with just D.C. United separating the two sides. Toronto’s chances of reaching the play-offs are perhaps better than Chicago’s, but it’s still a long way to go with Charlotte in sixth and Cincinnati in seventh place currently seven points ahead, not to mention the likes of Columbus Crew, New England Revolution, Inter Miami and Atlanta United who are all squeezed between the play-off spots and Bob Bradley’s team.
Toronto’s run of last six games starts with that 3-2 triumph at home over Chicago, followed by a 2-0 loss in New York at the hands of Red Bulls. Having smashed Montreal 4-0 in the semifinals of the Canadian Championship, they went on to beat Atlanta United at home by 2-1, lose at home 1-2 to Columbus, lose at home 0-2 to Seattle Sounders, and draw 2-2 at home against San Jose Earthquakes.
The match against the Quakes was an exciting affair as Jeremy Ebobisse struck first for the visitors, only to see his team go behind as Deandre Kerr and Jonathan Osorio brought joy to the home supporters midway through the second half. In the end, Jack Skahan snatched a point for the Quakes two minutes into the stoppage time.
Team News
Bradley will be impatient for his newest star, former Napoli forward Lorenzo Insigne, to take to the pitch, but he’ll have to wait a bit longer as the 31-year-old Italy international recovers from a calf problem. Midfielder Noble Okello is out with a lower body issue. Midfielder Alejandro Pozuelo has left the club to join Inter Miami, but his exit is likely to provide the likes of Kerr, Luca Petrasso and Jayden Nelson with more game-time.
Nelson could partner top scorer Jesus Jimenez upfront.
Conclusion
It won’t be an easy match for either side; it’ll rather be a dogged fight with both teams scrambling to get whatever they can.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best odds: 3/5
Bookmaker: Unibet
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