MATCH INFO |
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|---|---|
<strong>Matchup</strong> |
Chicago Fire (2-1-2, 8 pts.) vs. New England Revolution (2-2-1, 7 pts.) |
<strong>Date</strong> |
Saturday, April 15 • 4:00 p.m. CT |
<strong>Location</strong> |
Bridgeview, Ill. • Toyota Park |
<strong>TV</strong> |
CSN Chicago Plus (Pregame: 3:30 p.m. CT) |
<strong>Spanish Radio</strong> |
<a href="http://stream.uvneng.com/wrtoam-cf"><strong>Univision América 1200 (WRTO)</strong></a> |
<strong>Match Guide</strong> |
<a href="http://www.chicago-fire.com/post/2017/04/13/match-guide-chivne-saturday-april-15"><strong>Broadcast Info, Weather, Stadium Policies and More</strong></a> |
The Fire close out a three-match homestand with a visit from the New England Revolution on Saturday (4 pm CT, CSN Chicago Plus |
TICKETS
). New England enters the contest riding a three-match unbeaten streak, but remain winless on the road through the early part of 2017. Ahead of Saturday's Eastern Conference contest, here are a few key facts, faces and figures to keep in mind:
Key Number: 55.56
What if I told you the Fire were top-3 league-wide in shooting accuracy, behind only the scorching hot attacks of Houston (63.41%) and Atlanta United (57.78)? Nemanja Nikolic and co. have put 20 of their 36 shots on frame so far (a 55.56% rate), but generating those shots has been an area of struggle to this point. Those 36 total shots (ex. blocks) are the third-lowest amount in the league through five games, ahead of only FC Dallas (35) and Colorado (25). The numbers favor the Fire to make good things happen if they can find a way to generate more opportunities.
Matchup to Watch: Juninho vs. Diego Fagundez
While the Revs’ three-headed attack of Lee Nguyen, Juan Agudelo and Kei Kamara deservedly draw their fair share of headlines, the guys putting in work beneath them deserve a steady helping of credit in making things go. Homegrown midfielder Diego Fagundez -- generally employed on the left side of the midfield diamond -- leads his team in touches (324), successful passes in the final third (88), and is second behind only Kamara (26) in touches in the opponent’s box (20). He and Fire midfielder Juninho -- who returns to eligibility after serving a red card suspension in the last round -- look primed to occupy similar spaces in this one. Keep an eye on this battle between youth and experience on Saturday afternoon.
One Big Question: Will we see a three-man Fire backline for a second consecutive match?
Head coach Veljko Paunovic rolled out a 3-4-3 against an in-form, top-heavy Columbus side last week, and -- after some savvy second half adjustments -- ultimately won his chess match with Crew SC’s Gregg Berhalter. While the Revolution offer different individual skill sets in attack than Crew SC do, they’re equally as in-form coming into the match and as dangerous across their entire (projected) front six. The x-factor here is Juninho, whose return to eligibility gives Paunovic a bit more tactical flexibility when setting his lineup.
Quote of the Week:
“In this training, we always tried to put pressure on 100%. That’s what we’ll try and carry on into the next game.”
That’s midfielder David Accam on what the team has worked on in training this week leading up to Saturday’s match. That should be a welcome insight to fans of the home team. Winning the ball high up the field and pinning the Revs in their own end is a fairly simple concept, but execution on Saturday will be key against a team that will look to do the same.
Did you know?
According to Elias, the Fire are just three helpers shy of recording their 900th MLS regular season assist. Do you think assists 898, 899, and 900 can top No. 897?
Fire Field Vision powered by NovaCare:
From the Media Guide:
- The Fire are 23-21-11 all-time in regular season matches against the Revolution and hold a 14-5-8 record in matches played at home.
- The Revolution enter the match after defeating the Houston Dynamo 2-0 at home on Saturday, April 8.
- Revolution assistant coach Tom Soehn scored two goals and added one assist in 48 matches for the Fire from 1998-2000.
