The Chicago Fire will take the field (unofficially) for the first time in 2017 on Saturday (6 p.m. CT), as they square off against Florida Gulf Coast University for the first of six preseason friendlies leading up to the March 4 regular season opener in Columbus. The match stream is being hosted directly through FGCUAthletics.com and will be available here at kickoff.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE LIVE STREAM
Chicago Fire Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Jorge Rodrigo Bava; Boyd Okwuono, Johan Kappelhof, Joao Meira, Brandon Vincent; Brandt Bronico #, Juninho; John Goossens, Luis Solignac, David Accam; Nemanja Nikolic
Chicago Fire Second Half: Matt Lampson; Drew Beckie, Jonathan Campbell, Matej Dekovic #, Patrick Doody; Collin Fernandez, Drew Conner, Miguel Alvarado, Daniel Johnson; David Arshakyan, Guillermo Delgado #
Indicates trialist
# Indicates unsigned SuperDraft pick
The host Eagles present an interesting opponent for the Fire's first look at outside competition, coming off a 2016 Atlantic Sun Conference championship season but playing for the first time under new head coach Jesse Cormier. Cormier arrived last month from the University of Vermont to replace longtime FGCU boss Bob Butehorn, who departed after 10 seasons for the University of South Florida.
FGCU also features one of the nation's leading returning scorers in Barcelona-born Albert Ruiz, who racked up a stellar 22 goals in 20 games as a junior last fall.
A year ago at this time, FGCU hosted another MLS side, New York City FC, for a similar preseason friendly. The Eagles held their own against a largely first-choice NYCFC lineup, which managed a slim 1-0 victory over their hosts.
On the Fire side, read up on how head coach Veljko Paunovic has prepared for Saturday's match and additionally how goalkeeper Jorge Bavahas been integrating himself into the sideover the first two weeks of preseason.
