The Fire are on the road today for the first time in a month as they prepare to take on Atlanta United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium this afternoon.
Entering the match, Head Coach Ezra Hendrickson's side is unbeaten in five-straight matches, but will be looking to get back in the win column after surrendering a 2-2 draw at home to the Philadelphia Union last weekend. Atlanta find themselves in a similar situation, riding a three-match unbeaten stretch of their own, but with a pair of draws in tow. As it stands, United sit in third place in the Eastern Conference with 15 points through eight matches played.
Tune in this afternoon at 3:30 p.m. CT when today's match kicks off live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV and nationally on FS1. Take a look at how the Fire will start in the lineup notes below:
- Two changes have been made to the weekend that took on the Union last weekend at Soldier Field.
- Designated Player Xherdan Shaqiri is back in the starting XI for the first time since March 11. The Swiss international had missed four matches with a right leg injury prior to returning to the field as a second half substitution last weekend.
- Shaqiri will be flanked by Schaumburg native Chris Mueller and 2023 newcomer Maren Haile-Selassie in attacking midfield. Haile-Selassie scored his first career MLS goal in last weekend's draw with the Union, and was assisted by Mueller on the play.
- Also back in the starting XI tonight is Jonathan Dean, who spells Miguel Navarro at the fullback position. He'll lineup opposite fellow 2023 signee Arnaud Souquet out wide, with centerback tandem Rafael Czichos (c) and Carlos Terán rounding out today's Fire defensive back line.
- Fabian Herbers achieves an MLS milestone today with his inclusion in the starting lineup. The match marks Herbers' 150th regular season appearance of his MLS career since entering the league in 2016 as a member of the Philadelphia Union.
- Forward Kei Kamara starts atop the attack for the third-straight match. The 38-year-old currently leads the Fire in goals scored with three so far this season.
- The Fire's current assist leader (3) Brian Gutiérrez makes his sixth-straight start tonight.
- 19-year-old goalkeeper Chris Brady starts for the seventh-straight outing.
- Available to Hendrickson as substitutions today are goalkeeper Spencer Richey, defender Alonso Aceves, defender Miguel Navarro, defender Wyatt Omsberg, defender/midfielder Mauricio Pineda, midfielder Gastón Giménez, midfielder Federico Navarro, forward Georgios Koutsias, and forward Kacper Przybyłko.
- Midfielder Jairo Torres (right upper leg) and forward Victor Bezerra (left upper leg) are unavailable for selection due to injury tonight.
Take a look at how Atlanta will start below as their lineup becomes available:
