The Chicago Fire welcome D.C. United to Toyota Park Saturday night (LIVE 7:00pm CT on My50/TWCSC/La Ley 107.9 FM). Here are five things you should know going into the match.
D.C. United Absences
Those looking to give a welcome back clap to former Fire forward Chris Rolfe tonight won’t be able to as the United attacker is recovering from a broken arm suffered in training a few weeks ago. United will also be without team leading scorer Fabian Espindola who is suspended for Saturday’s match after receiving a red card in D.C.’s 1-0 defeat at Red Bull on September 10.
Florent Sinama-Pongolle and Robert Earnshaw available
The Frenchman arrived back from Paris, P-1 Visa in hand on Wednesday with the club officially receiving his international transfer certificate on Friday afternoon making him eligible for Saturday’s match vs. D.C. United.
“If he’s cleared to play he’ll be available,” Fire head coach Frank Yallop said Thursday. “He adds good quality and know how. He’s been around and is at a good age. Adding him is going to round out the squad this year and moving forward. If you get good footballers on the field, it’s going to help us. He’s a good soccer player, he thinks the game and I think he definitely can help us.”
Robert Earnshaw also seems set to return, providing another good piece of news for Yallop after the Welshman was left out of the squad the past two matches with a dead leg. Earnshaw has scored a goal in each of his first two appearances for the Fire, despite playing just 52 minutes so far.
Sanna Nyassi Doubtful
With good news comes the bad as Sanna Nyassi who has linked up recently with front line partner Quincy Amarikwa in the absence of Earnshaw and Mike Magee is doubtful for Saturday’s game after Yallop said he was dealing with a groin injury.
Nyassi’s availability will likely mean Yallop will have to shuffle his lineup or insert Earnshaw or Sinama-Pongolle next to Amarikwa.
Quincy Amarikwa Double Digits
Speaking of #QuincyTime, Amarikwa sits just one goal from becoming the 15th player in club history to score double digits across all competitions in a season. Amarikwa has a career high seven goals in the league this season to go along with two in U.S. Open Cup play.
The 14 players that have accomplished this feat for the Fire: DaMarcus Beasley (10; 2003), Andy Herron (13; 2006), Nate Jaqua (10; 2006), Roman Kosecki (10; 1998), Dema Kovalenko (15, 2000; 10, 2001), Lubos Kubik (11; 1998), Mike Magee (18; 2013), Dominic Oduro (14; 2011), Damani Ralph (14; 2003-2004), Ante Razov (11, 1998; 18, 1999; 25, 2000; 17, 2002; 18, 2003), Chris Rolfe (10; 2008), Hristo Stoitchkov (14; 2000), Josh Wolff (10, 1999; 13, 2000), Eric Wynalda (13; 2001)
With seven matches left, it’s conceivable that Amarikwa could become the seventh player in Fire history to reach double digits in regular season play.
Chicago Fire Weekly
On Saturday’s addition of Chicago Fire Weekly, myself, Fred Huebner and Kevin Egan reviewed the past week, spoke with Fire defender Lovel Palmer and previewed Saturday’s match vs. D.C. with The Washington Post’s Steven Goff.
