CHICAGOÂ (May 6, 2023)Â - Chicago Fire FC II will travel north to face MNUFC2 on Sunday, May 7 at the National Sports Center in Blaine, Minnesota. The Fire will look to improve upon a 0-0 draw against New York Red Bulls II last Sunday and a similar result against Minnesota in 2022. The match can be streamed on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV five minutes prior to first kick at 7 p.m. CT.
Chicago Fire II (2-3-1-0) return to the road following a 0-0 draw at home against New York Red Bulls II. The match saw both teams generate multiple chances that were snuffed out by the three goalkeepers who featured. After coming onto the pitch at halftime, Mihajlo Mišković made six of the seven saves recorded by Fire goalkeepers. But the Red Bulls’ AJ Marcucci stole the show after regulation time was up, saving two shots in a 3-0 shootout victory that gave the visitors the additional point. Chicago ended Matchday 6, and April, in ninth place with seven points.
MNUFC2 (3-2-1-0) earned the fifth spot in the Western Conference after a 1-1 road draw at Austin FC II. Diogo Pacheco gave Minnesota a second half lead with his team-leading fifth goal of the season. But Austin answered back with an 86th minute equalizer that gave both teams a point at the end of regulation. In a marathon shootout featuring eight shots taken by each team, the home side prevailed 6-5, winning the additional point and second place in the West.
KEYS TO THE MATCH
No, Diogo, No. MNUFC2 features a top 10 attack thanks in large part to Diogo Pacheco, who has scored five of his team’s 12 goals this season. Remarkably, no other player has more than a single tally this season – seven of his teammates have scored only one goal. The Fire defense will have a handful containing such a strong attacking team, but special attention will surely be placed on the Portuguese striker to keep him from providing a spark to his teammates.
Keep on Keepin’ On. Jeff Gal has led the way for most of the season at goalkeeper, starting five of the Fire’s six matches. But a knock Gal picked up midway through the first half against New York Red Bulls II gave Mihajlo Mišković his first 45 minutes of the season. His strong play kept the Red Bulls at bay throughout regulation, and he even added a save in the shootout. Despite the lack of minutes in 2023, Mišković has plenty of experience in MLS NEXT Pro, logging 990 minutes last year, earning one clean sheet. Regardless of who the ‘keeper is on Sunday, the Fire have confidence in the experience that Gal and Mišković bring to the team.
Rochester Rising. Lamonth Rochester earned his first start of the 2023 season on Sunday. The Jamaican center back paired well with Kendall Burks, helping clean up any chances created by the vaunted Red Bulls attack. Following the match, Fire II head coach Ludovic Taillandier noted the defender’s nerves early on, but recognized his growth as the match wore on and praised his strong second half. Rochester is sure to receive more looks as the season winds on and could be a valuable contributor to a strong defensive Fire team.
HOW TO WATCH
Chicago Fire FC II will travel north to face MNUFC2 on Sunday, May 7 at the National Sports Center in Blaine, Minnesota. The match can be streamed on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV five minutes prior to first kick at 7 p.m. CT.
