The Chicago Fire welcome the Vancouver Whitecaps to Toyota Park Wednesday night (7:00pm CT on My50/TWCSC). Here are five things to know going into the match...
Welcome Sanna Nyassi
The Chicago Fire made their third addition of midseason on Tuesday, acquiring Gambian international winger Sanna Nyassi from the Montreal Impact in exchange for Dilly Duka.
Fire head coach Frank Yallop explained Tuesday that the swap had been in the works for a while but was held up by Nyassi’s recovery from a high ankle sprain.
That said, don’t expect to see Nyassi for the Fire tonight and probably not Saturday vs. Columbus as he’s about a week away from a return to full training.
Razvan Cocis
Another new Fire signing Razvan Cocis made his club debut in the team’s 2-0 friendly loss to Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend. The Romanian international’s 30 minutes in the second half were his first action since the end to his season in Ukraine this past May.
With Cocis obviously not 90 minutes fit, he’s probably unlikely to play Wednesday but Yallop did leave open the possibility in his post-game press conference following the Spurs friendly.
“I wanted to see how he was doing and he was fine. I didn’t want to push him too much to get him injured and not be available for the next few weeks. Probably not available for Wednesday, I’ll talk to him but we’ll see.”
Start of a Big Stretch
There likely is no bigger stretch than the next four games the Fire have on their schedule. Three straight home league games beginning tonight vs. Vancouver, Saturday vs. Columbus and August 10 vs. New York before an all-important U.S. Open Cup semifinal visit to Seattle on August 13.
With the team just four points out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, taking advantage of the home games in front of the team will be vitally important. A strong run at home could also provide a boost for the Open Cup match in Cascadia, a place the Fire have yet to win in since 2009.
Donate to the GCFD Food Drive Tonight
The club will be holding a food drive to benefit the Greater Chicago Food Depository at tonight’s game. Fans are asked to bring shelf-stable food items to Fire Fest (outside Gate C) beginning at 5:30pm and to all gates when they open at 6:30pm.
For more information on The Greater Chicago Food Depository, please click here.
Food Trucks at Toyota Park
Rushing to the game from work tonight? Looking for a food option?
You’re in luck, tonight marks the debut of Food Trucks at Toyota Park as Babycakes Gourmet Pancakes will be out just north of Fire Fest. Take a look at their website and follow them on Twitter @BabyCakesTruck.
