Fire gear up for Cincy trip: "We want to be aggressive"

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. — Arguably the most difficult week of the Chicago Fire’s 2024 schedule is in full swing as the Men in Red travel to southern Ohio this week to take on first-placed FC Cincinnati just three days before a road test against second-placed Inter Miami on Saturday. The upcoming one-two punch comes in the aftermath of a stale 0-0 draw last weekend in which the Fire gained a point against a New York City FC team also flying high above the playoff line in fifth place.

Ahead of the roadtrip this week, we spoke with head coach Frank Klopas and midfielder Kellyn Acosta to gain the insights in the midst of this challenging but crucial stretch.

“A big opportunity”

It’s no secret that the Fire have largely disappointed this season. The standings show them just one point above Philadelphia in the Eastern Conference cellar, with only the Union, San Jose Earthquakes, and St. Louis CITY in worse positions overall. Despite that, the expanded nine-team playoff format ensures that they really aren’t out of postseason contention, even with just 11 games remaining in the regular season. Nashville SC, in ninth place, are four points above the Fire.

“It's a bit disappointing and frustrating for us, especially in some games where there were just mental lapses of concentration on the goals we've given up,” Acosta said Tuesday. “From my standpoint, the points are very close. There are four or five teams within a few points. So it's important for us, to take it game by game and go from there.”

Klopas concurred and made careful note that while the upcoming task at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati will be a difficult one, it is still a chance to get an important three points and instill confidence within the group.

“I just think it's an opportunity for us,” Klopas said. “You're playing against a very good team. I think the one thing to look at from their five losses (this season), four have been at home. For us, we want to be aggressive, that's for sure. We don't want them to get into a rhythm where they are dictating the tempo and we're dropping very deep.”

Injury updates

The Fire’s game against Cincinnati tomorrow will be impacted by injuries to key players from both teams. Pat Brennan of Cincinnati.com reported that league MVP Lucho Acosta, who exited Cincy’s last match with an injury, did not train today therefore making his questionable for participation against the Fire. Reigning MLS Defender of the Year Matt Miazga is a confirmed absence due to his season-ending injury, as is Miles Robinson, who is suspended and is joining the U.S. Olympic team in Bordeaux, France.

However, the Fire have no shortage of injuries of their own. Andrew Gutman, Carlos Terán, and Fede Navarro are chief among the confirmed absences, and while they are all working towards recoveries, none trained with the full group. Tobias Salquist is also just returning from a long injury layoff, and while he was a participant in training, he is also not necessarily ready for first team action.

“We're missing players also,” Klopas said. “Lucho is a difference-maker, but whether he plays or he doesn't, I think our game plan is still the same. We need to be aggressive. We need to be confident and good with the ball. We need to be aggressive and have different kinds of movements with the front runners.”

Alec Kann and Malik Pinto are also confirmed absences for Cincinnati; Chase Gasper is the only other player certainly out for the Fire due to injury. Xherdan Shaqiri is yet to return from the Euros, and is thus listed as unavailable for non-injury reasons.

The future of the captaincy

Ever since defender Rafa Czichos resigned the Fire captaincy in preseason, multiple players have worn the armband. Midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri was officially named captain for the season after he led the team out against Philadelphia on opening day, and he’s taken on that role in every game he’s started so far. However, the Designated Player has been away since mid-May as he fulfilled his final Swiss national team duties at the European Championships, and even as he’s set to return to Chicago in the next week, his club future is very much up in the air.

Midfielder Fabian Herbers, the Fire’s longest-serving player, was officially named vice-captain near the start of the year and has typically worn the armband when Shaqiri’s been out. Gastón Giménez is seemingly third in the order, captaining the Fire in the last two matches, but Kellyn Acosta has also taken on that responsibility on a few occasions, most notably in the first two games following Shaqiri’s abrupt departure.

Acosta is only in his first year in Chicago, but as an experienced member of the U.S. National Team and a respected player around MLS, he’s immediately stepped in as a leader. His qualities, both on and off the field, could make him a potential candidate for the captaincy in the near future, particularly with Shaqiri’s exit this summer highly probable.

“It obviously depends on the coach, but from my standpoint, you don't need to wear the armband to be a captain and be a leader out there,” Acosta said. “I’m just trying to share my experience, be vocal, and help those around me because I think you obviously want to do your job; we want to help those around us. It makes your job a little bit easier.

“I think for me, it's about just giving information, helping those around me. I think it's all about the collective and the team, and it's about doing whatever we can to better all of us in a sense.”

Until Shaqiri officially leaves, the DP will remain the captain. However, Acosta, alongside Herbers and Giménez, will certainly be in the conversation to take his place should that day come soon.

The Fire's Eastern Conference clash at Cincinnati will kick off at 6:30 PM Central Time on Wednesday night.