Fire winless vs. Seattle
With Saturday’s game being the last MLS match for nearly a month, the Chicago Fire will want to go into the World Cup break on a winning note. Beyond that, they’ll be looking to earn their first-ever win against Seattle.
The Fire unfortunately hold the distinction of being the only MLS club not to have beaten Seattle, going 0-5-3 all-time against the Sounders.
Fortunately, Fire head coach is one of the few in MLS that holds a winning record against Seattle, going 6-5-1 vs. the Sounders over 12 matches as head coach of the San Jose Earthquakes.
Fire/Sounders Connections
This game features five players that have played previously played for the opponent. Seattle carries former Fire forward Chad Barrett, midfielder Marco Pappa and defender Jalil Anibaba while the Fire have defenders Jhon Kennedy Hurtado and Patrick Ianni who along with Anibaba were swapped in a trade this past January.
Have a look at what all five accomplished with their former clubs.
International absences
The Fire will be happy not to have to face Clint Dempsey and DeAndre Yedlin, who are playing the U.S. Men’s National Team’s final World Cup tuneup before heading to Brazil this afternoon vs. Nigeria.
The Sounders haven’t seen too much of a drop off however as they’ve gone 2-0-1 since the pair left for camp.
Hey Seattle, welcome back to the grass
In a fun reversal of fortune, Seattle’s visit to Toyota Park Saturday will be their first game on grass since April 19 – a span of seven matches with the MLS scheduling computer lining up five home games at Century Link Field with two away matches at New England and Vancouver in between.
Gameday Giveaway from Athletico
The first 5,000 fans into Toyota Park Saturday will receive a FREE Fire drawstring bag courtesy of Athletico. Gates open at 6:30pm.
