Chicago Fire II qualify for playoffs

For the second year in a row, the Fire II have reached the postseason, thanks to their 2-1 win over the first-place Philadelphia Union II, behind goals from Peter Soudan and Omari Glasgow alongside strong goaltending from Patrick Los, particularly in the second half as the game got scrappy.

The outcome is a near-best-case scenario for the squad, who came into the last game of the season in the unusual position of fighting for the opportunity for a home playoff spot if results went their way, while still not having clinched a playoff spot at all and knowing nothing short of a victory would guarantee a return to the playoffs.

As a result of their victory and results around them, the team ended the regular season in fourth in the conference, giving the team home-field advantage for the first time in team history – though not their pick of playoff opponent awarded to the top three finishers.

This is the third consecutive season of progress under Head Coach Ludovic Tallandier: in the team’s inaugural season in 2022, they finished in eighth place and out of a playoff spot in the format used in the nascent league. In 2023, the team made the playoffs, and although they were the one lower-seeded team that no one chose to play, they ultimately fell to the New York Red Bulls II in their first playoff game.

Finishing fourth – and not getting to pick an opponent – doesn’t phase Tallandier, who said, “I would have picked any kind of team at home. If you look at the record, actually, we are the best team at home in the conference. I’m very happy to play at home and not pick my opponent.”

It’s a sentiment echoed by team captain David Poreba, now officially the MLS Next Pro Golden Boot winner, who said, “we’re excited that we get to host a playoff game, and I truly believe that this team can win against anyone,” describing the vibes in the locker room as “great.”

Despite the win and bellwether season, Tallandier isn’t satisfied. “An objective is not just doing the playoffs…. We set five games to the [MLS Next Pro] Cup, four games to the Cup.” The Fire find out who they host on Tuesday, October 8th, with a first-round date between October 18 and October 20th.

Read more:

https://meninred97.com/fire-ii-creating-a-standard-in-third-season/