Chicago Fire FC hits the road for the team's first away trip of the 2023 season on Saturday night, as they get set for a 6:30 p.m. CT kickoff against the Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park.
Philadelphia - the 2022 MLS Cup runners up - enter Saturday's match coming off of a 0-0 draw in El Salvador against Alianza FC in the Concacaf Champions League Round of 16. Through two matches in MLS regular season play, the Union are 1-1-0, most recently dropping a 2-0 result to Inter Miami on the road last weekend. The Fire began their season last weekend at Soldier Field, when midfielder Fabian Herbers helped secure a share of the points in a 1-1 draw against New York City FC.
Tonight's match in Philadelphia can be found on MLS Season Pass live on the Apple TV app at 6:30 p.m. CT. With kickoff just under an hour away, here are the details on tonight's Fire starting XI and bench:
- Five changes have been made to the Head Coach Ezra Hendrickson's lineup following last weekend's season opening draw against NYCFC.
- 19-year-old Homegrown goalkeeper Chris Brady gets the start in net tonight, the second of his career following his Fire debut in last year's regular season finale against New England. Brady is coming off of a right upper leg injury that saw him miss last weekend's match.
- New signing Kei Kamara makes his first Fire start as part of tonight's attacking unit. Kamara made his Club debut last weekend against NYCFC in a 45-minute shift as a second half substitution, helping to create the team's equalizer.
- After scoring the equalizing goal last weekend - and subsequently being named to the MLS Team of the Matchday for his effort - Fabian Herbers slots into the opening XI to make his first start of the season against his former club.
- Also making their first starts of the 2023 season are midfielder Gastón Giménez and defender Kendall Burks. Giménez makes his 60th start for the Fire (67th appearance overall), while Burks suits up for his third career start after making four appearances in his rookie season last year.
- Designated Player Xherdan Shaqiri slots into the heart of the Fire midfield tonight, starting for the 29th time since arriving at the start of the 2022 season.
- Forward Kacper Przybyłko starts for the second straight match, leading the Fire attack from the forward position tonight.
- 2023 signing Arnaud Souquet is also back in the starting lineup tonight after making his Fire debut last Saturday.
- Coming off of his 60th career start for the Fire last weekend, Miguel Navarro returns as part of tonight's first XI.
- Rounding out tonight's defensive unit are centerback pairing Rafael Czichos and Carlos Teràn. Czichos will captain the squad this evening.
- Available to Hendrickson as substitutions tonight are goalkeeper Spencer Richey, defender Jonathan Dean, defender Wyatt Omsberg, defender/midfielder Maurico Pineda, midfielder Javier Casas Jr., midfielder Brian Gutiérrez, midfielder Maren Haile-Selassie, winger Chris Mueller, and forward Missael Rodriguez.
- Defender Justin Reynolds (left ankle), midfielder Jairo Torres (right upper leg), and midfielder Federico Navarro (left upper leg) are unavailable for selection due to injury tonight.
Take a look at how the Union will start below as the lineup becomes available:
