How to watch NYCFC vs. Chicago Fire; how can the Fire clinch a playoff spot?
The Chicago Fire will take to the field tonight for the final time in the 2023 regular season and will have everything to play for on Decision Day. They travel to face New York City FC, another team battling to break into the final playoff places, though both teams need a result combined with help elsewhere to clinch a spot. The Fire are looking to earn a postseason for the first time since 2017.
2023 has been a bizarre, up-and-down season for the Fire. After a rocky start and early coaching change, interim boss Frank Klopas led the Men in Red to an incredible winning run over the summer, following up by an encouraging showing in Leagues Cup. Then, as if a switch was flipped, they went on a horrid winless run, which included the longest goal drought in team history. A thumping 4-1 win over Inter Miami led by star DP Xherdan Shaqiri gave the FIre hope at reaching the postseason, but a loss to Charlotte three days later now puts them on the outside looking in.
New York City are in an even more precarious position. Since entering the league in 2015, they’ve made the playoffs in every single season barring their debut year, a streak which is on the verge of being scrapped. In order to qualify, NYCFC need to beat the Fire at Citi Field, then rely on help from Nashville and Charlotte.
How can the Fire clinch a playoff spot?
In order to reach the postseason, the Fire both need to perform at NYC and get some help from elsewhere. A win would likely be enough, provided that either CF Montréal or the New York Red Bulls drop points in their matches. Montréal will face off against the Columbus Crew, led by their own former coach, Wilfried Nancy, and for an Impact team that struggled mightily on the road, a win is a big ask. The Red Bulls are also on the road, facing seventh-placed Nashville in what should be a fairly even contest. If the Fire win and both Montréal and New York lose, the Fire would finish in eighth and host the Wild Card game next week.
A draw could also be enough, though the scenario is somewhat more unlikely. If the Fire tie NYCFC, the Red Bulls lose at Nashville, and Charlotte FC fail to beat Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami at home, the Fire would sneak into ninth place behind Montréal, regardless of what happens in Columbus. Though Charlotte should beat Miami at home, this is probably the most likely (albeit least satisfying) outcome that sees the Fire squeak into the expanded Eastern Conference nine-team bracket.
In theory, the Fire could also beat NYCFC 9-0, which would almost certainly be enough to overcome the Red Bulls’ goal differential. However, since the Fire have never won at New York City before in history, this seems a tad unlikely.
Who’s available for the Fire?
Klopas’ team is very close to a clean bill of health. Only winger Chris Mueller (right upper leg), who has been out for several months with a long-term injury, is officially ruled out for health reasons. Midfielder Gastón Giménez, who was named man of the match against Inter Miami and has been a standout in recent weeks, is also out with a suspension for yellow card accumulation.
The man likely to take his place in the starting XI is fellow Argentine Federico Navarro. Navarro has had a rough 2023 season wrecked by injuries, but after a few weeks out, he trained fully this week and will be available for selection. Navarro’s return comes as a big boost for a team notably lacking in reliable midfield depth, particularly with Giménez out for Decision Day. Defender Mauricio Pineda, who can also deputize in central midfield, was also involved in training this week after his own injury layoff, though he is less likely to start the game. Mexican DP Jairo Torres and veteran forward Kei Kamara also return to fitness after missing the last match,
Fresh off of a heroic performance at the international break, expect Xherdan Shaqiri to slot right back into the XI at the number ten position. The DP both scored and assisted for Switzerland in a Euro qualifier against Belarus and is hoping to provide another memorable moment following his brace against Miami on October 4th. Homegrown talent Brian Gutiérrez is returning from his first U.S. U-23 camp in Arizona and should start off of the left wing alongside the Swiss superstar. Goalkeeper Chris Brady, who has kept the team in countless games this season, should also play a big role after backstopping a 4-1 U.S. win over Japan on Tuesday.
Who will play for New York City FC?
While still a talented group, NYCFC don’t quite boast the big names that they have in years past. Midfielder Santi Rodríguez serves as the main focal point, leading the team in both goals and assists, with talented Brazilian youngster Talles Magno expected to start on the left side. Maxi Morales (lower body) will miss out with injury; he is their only absence.
Other familiar names include midfielder James Sands, who played for the U.S. Men’s National Team at the CONCACAF Gold Cup this summer. He’ll be alongside one-time U.S. U-23 international Andrés Perea, with newly-minted Jamaican international right back Tayvon Gray alongside them. Former U.S. U-23 goalkeeper Matt Freese should start in goal following his move from the Philadelphia Union last offseason.
How to watch the game
The match will kick off simultaneous with all the others in the Eastern Conference on Decision Day, at 5:00 PM Central Time. The game will be broadcast on Apple TV in English and Spanish with the MLS Season Pass. Chris Wittyngham will be on the call in English alongside Lori Lindsey, with Alejandro Figueredo and Daniel Chapela on the Spanish broadcast. It will also be available locally in Chicago on 890 WLS-AM radio (Max Thoma and Dasan Robinson) and TUDN 1200 AM (Omar Ramos and Raquel Ortiz).
Read More:
https://meninred97.com/the-old-ballgame-chicago-fire-vs-new-york-city-fc-decision-day-preview/
https://meninred97.com/the-fire-finally-have-something-to-play-for-on-decision-day/
https://meninred97.com/watch-chicago-fire-at-nycfc-decision-day-preview/
https://meninred97.com/around-the-world-chicago-fire-players-shine-during-international-break/
