CHICAGO (May 26, 2023) – Chicago Fire FC II will host Crown Legacy FC for the first time in MLS NEXT Pro action Sunday, May 28 at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois. The Fire will hope to exploit its home field advantage against a first place CLFC side that has only suffered one hiccup all season long. Coverage of the match will begin five minutes before a scheduled 5 p.m. CT first kick on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
The Fire (2-4-3-0) return to SeatGeek Stadium after a tough 3-2 loss at Toronto FC II in Canada. The visitors jumped out to a strong start, dominating possession and chances in front of goal until forcing Toronto into a handball in the box. Fire midfielder Harold Osorio then stepped up to the spot and scored his third goal in as many matches, grabbing the team’s golden boot lead along the way. He then contributed an assist on Michael Nesci’s first goal early in the second half before the home side flipped a switch and scored three unanswered to win the game.
In its inaugural season, Crown Legacy FC (7-1-2-1) has enjoyed an unprecedented level of success, holding on to first place of the Eastern Conference throughout much of 2023. Following its lone loss of the season against an inspired Huntsville City FC side playing its first home game in history, the Charlotte FC affiliate returned home to take on Philadelphia Union II. The visitors took a 2-0 lead into the break before CLFC answered back early in the second half to cut the deficit in half. But Vinicius Mello stole the show with a 90th minute equalizer that sent the match to a shootout, in which his side easily dispatched the Union 4-2 to earn an additional point.
KEYS TO THE MATCH
Osorio on Fire, Redux. Last week’s match preview focused on Harold Osorio’s hot streak of play, scoring two goals in two matches at the time of publication. The midfielder went on to justify his inclusion as a key to the match by scoring a third and adding an assist along the way. Despite the loss, Osorio’s current form has sparked a Fire attack that had sputtered before his regular inclusion in the lineup following an injury. He will look – once more – to lead the team to its first win in nearly two months.
Encara Nesci. The Chicago Fire Academy has developed players that have made key contributions for both the first and second teams in 2023. The latest to star for a Fire side was Michael Nesci, who notched the first goal of his career in professional play Sunday at TFC II. Nesci appeared in only four matches in 2022, even recording an assist in a 2-0 win at FC Cincinnati 2 on September 11. But the young forward has already matched that total early on 2023, and the technique displayed in his first goal can only grant him the confidence needed to continue to star for the team.
HOW TO WATCH
Chicago Fire FC II will host Crown Legacy FC for the first time in MLS NEXT Pro action Sunday, May 28 at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois. Coverage of the match will begin five minutes before a scheduled 5 p.m. CT first kick on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. Entry to the stadium will be an hour prior to the start of the match and is free to all fans.
