MATCH INFO |
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|---|---|
<strong>Matchup</strong> |
Chicago Fire (7-3-4, 25 pts.) vs. Atlanta United FC (5-5-3, 18 pts.) |
<strong>Date</strong> |
Saturday, June 10 • 3:00 p.m. CT |
<strong>Location</strong> |
Bridgeview, Ill. • Toyota Park |
<strong>TV</strong> |
UniMas and <strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/UnivisionDeportes/videos/10155091960023432/">Facebook Live</a></strong> |
<strong>Spanish Radio</strong> |
<a href="http://stream.uvneng.com/wrtoam-cf"><strong>Univision América 1200 (WRTO)</strong></a> |
<b>MLS Match Preview</b> |
<a href="https://www.chicago-fire.com/post/2017/06/07/preview-fire-look-measure-revenge-saturday-vs-atlanta-toyota-park"><b>Projected lineups, injuries, and more</b></a> |
Following last Saturday's tough road draw at Orlando City, the Chicago Fire return home to welcome Eastern Conference expansion side Atlanta United FC for their first-ever contest at Toyota Park on Saturday (3 pm CT | TICKETS).
These two have met once already this season in Atlanta, with the home side claiming full points following an early red card shown to defender Johan Kappelhof. With a light MLS schedule due to the FIFA international break, #CHIvATL is one of just three on the league's docket this weekend, giving the Men In Red (25 pts.) a chance to climb within one point of Eastern Conference and Supporters' Shield-leading Toronto FC (29 pts.)
Ahead of this weekend's replay, here are a few key facts, faces and figures to keep in mind:
Key number: 2.15
Despite coming off of a 3-1 loss at Vancouver last weekend, Atlanta enter Saturday's matchup in Chicago still boasting one of the league's most potent attacks statistically. Head coach Tata Martino's side are the only team in MLS still averaging more than two goals scored per game (2.15), a number aided by the 4-0 scoreline they walked away with the last time these two teams met in March. Atlanta could see the return of the dynamic Josef Martinez, who scored twice against the Fire in March and is listed as questionable with a quad injury, while target man Kenwyne Jones is out of contention while away on national team duty with Trinidad and Tobago.
Matchup to watch: Matt Polster vs. Yamil Asad
There are lineup assumptions being made with this matchup, first and foremost that Matt Polster returns to right back following a stint in central midfield out of necessity last weekend. Should he slot back in along the right side of the defense, he'll face a stiff test from Argentinian midfielder Yamil Asad. Asad has assisted on seven goals this year from the left side of the Atlanta attack, second in MLS behind only Toronto's Victor Vazquez. Atlanta has additionally shown a willingness to overload the left side of the field, throwing fullback Greg Garza well forward into the attack to combine with Asad and a wide-drifting Miguel Almiron. Polster's energetic play on the Chicago flank earned him a preliminary call up to the USMNT's Gold Cup roster, and will be key to limiting opportunities for the Atlanta offense.
One Big Question: Will Miguel Almiron be a factor?
Atlanta midfielder and Designated Player Miguel Almiron's presence (or lack thereof) in Saturday's match could very well be a factor in this one's outcome. Almiron went 77 minutes for the Paraguayan Men's National Team in a 1-0 friendly defeat against Peru on Thursday night. Almiron will rejoin his side ahead of Saturday's match in Chicago, but whether Martino opts to deploy the 23-year-old from the outset remains anyone's guess. Chicago will be without a key midfield presence of their own, as Dax McCarty remains with the U.S. Men's National Team ahead of it's World Cup Qualifying match against Mexico on Sunday.
Quote of the Week:
The Fire are riding a 6-0-1 home record into their return to Toyota Park on Saturday, which includes wins in five straight. Their six total home wins are also the league's second-best haul, behind only Houston's seven. Atlanta are no slouch on the road, however, entering the match having gone 2-3-3 in eight matches and averaging better than a point-per-game outside the state of Georgia. This will be a very good test for head coach Veljko Paunovic and his Men In Red.
Fire Field Vision powered by NovaCare:
From the media guide:
- The Fire have several ties to their new Eastern Conference foes. Veteran midfielder Jeff Larentowicz now calls Atlanta home after serving as a fixture in the Fire lineup from 2013-15, the same seasons during which current Atlanta starting goalkeeper Alec Kann was a member of the Men In Red. Carlos Bocanegra, the former standout Chicago Fire (2000-03) and U.S. Men’s National Team defender, now serves Atlanta as the club’s technical director.
- Additionally, GK Kyle Reynish spent the 2014 season with the Fire, appearing in one MLS match.
- The Fire’s rookie midfielder Daniel Johnson hails from Duluth, Ga., an Atlanta suburb. Though he spent 2009-12 with the West Ham Academy, Johnson represented Greater Atlanta Christian School and Georgia United when he returned to the United States.
