#CHIvMTL Numbers and Words: Fire begin homestand Saturday vs. Montreal Impact

With an extra week of preparation behind them due to the FIFA international window, the Chicago Fire are set to resume their 2017 MLS regular season campaign against the visiting Montreal Impact on Saturday afternoon (2 p.m. CT, CSN Chicago Plus | TICKETS). Montreal enters the contest looking for the first win of 2017, while head coach Veljko Paunovic and the Men In Red will be looking to convert a wave of off-field momentum into three points in front of the home crowd. Ahead of Saturday's Eastern Conference tilt, here are a few key facts, faces and figures to keep in mind:

Key Number: 50

It has been an aggressive start to the season for the Fire’s Eastern Conference visitors. With 50 fouls conceded through their opening three matches, the Impact have crunched their way into the 2017 MLS campaign. Those 50 fouls rank fourth-highest in MLS, despite having a game-in-hand on two of the teams with more (Portland and RSL). Just about half of that total has come in their attacking third as well, courtesy of Ignacio Piatti, Matteo Mancosu, and Patrice Bernier, who share the team high with six apiece. While Piatti isn't likely to feature on Saturday due to a groin injury and Bernier questionable, it’ll still be fair to expect an element of physicality come Saturday afternoon.

Matchup to Watch: Jonathan Campbell vs. Matteo Mancosu

With Piatti out, the Impact will likely lean on Mancosu to provide a heavier lift in attack. The Italian forward has a goal to his credit already this season, and will look to disrupt a Fire backline suffering from an absence of its own. Fire defender Johan Kappelhof was shown red early on in the Fire’s last outing at Atlanta, meaning it will likely be up to second-year North Carolina product Jonathan Campbell to step in and hold things down in the Dutchman’s stead. After his unexpected 75-minute season debut against a high-flying Atlanta side, how Campbell and Joao Meira manage the runs of Mancosu and speedster Dominic Oduro will surely be a factor in this one’s outcome.

One Big Question: Will Bastian Schweinsteiger feature?

It’s been arguably the biggest question surrounding not only this match but the club in general following the announcement that the Fire had signed 32-year-old former German National Team captain and ex-Manchester United and Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger as its most recent Designated Player signing last Tuesday. Head coach Veljko Paunovic played it coy, saying he "is going to be available,” when asked if Schweinsteiger would debut this weekend at his introductory press conference. Whether he slots in from the outset, as a substitute, or not at all will certainly be at the forefront of the home crowd’s mind come Saturday afternoon.

Did You Know?

The Chicago Fire will be playing their fourth-ever MLS match on April Fool's Day on Saturday, with one win and two defeats all-time in April 1 fixtures:

April 1, 2012: L at Colorado Rapids, 2-0
April 1, 2006: L at FC Dallas, 3-2
April 1, 2000: W at Columbus Crew SC, 2-0

Quote of the Week:

When it all comes down to it, it’s the ‘W’ that matters. Basti’s had his fair share -- A World Cup, a UEFA Champion’s League, eight Bundesliga titles, NBD -- and the Fire, to their credit, did well to lock down Toyota Park for large stretches of 2016 as well as in their 2-0 home opening win against RSL. Pleasant weather and a Schweinsteiger-sized level of anticipation should fire up the early April home crowd this weekend as the Fire look to get it done against a win-hungry IMFC side.

Fire Field Vision powered by NovaCare:

From the Media Guide:

• The Fire hold a 4-5-4 all-time regular season record against the Impact, including a 3-1-2 record in matches played at Toyota Park.
• The Men in Red hold the advantage in goals scored in the series, with 20 to the Impact’s 17.
• Impact forward Dominic Oduro spent two seasons with the Fire from 2011-12, scoring 18 goals and adding five assists.