Jordi Alba scored the winner for Inter Miami in a 2-1 victory over the Chicago Fire as they moved five points clear at the top of the Eastern Conference.

Matias Rojas had given the Herons an early lead before being pegged back by Rafael Czichos, but Alba's winner ensured Miami made it back-to-back wins.

FC Cincinnati's third defeat in a row, a 3-1 loss to the New York Red Bulls, means Miami now have some breathing space at the summit of the table.

The hosts were still without Lionel Messi, who watched on from the sidelines with an ankle injury, but made a quick start without their talisman.

Robert Taylor's bursting run opened up the space in behind Chicago for him to pull it back into the middle, and Rojas fired his shot across goal to pick out the bottom-right corner.

Moments later, Hugo Cuypers almost pegged them back when he benefitted from Drake Callendar's spill, but the goalkeeper recovered well to deny him.

Julian Gressel then fired a brilliant chance wide, not realising he had more time, but almost made up for it on the stroke of half-time, only to fire a powerful shot against the crossbar.

The Fire improved after the break and got their reward in the 73rd minute, with Czichos pushing out from defence before nestling a shot into the bottom-left corner.

Their joy was short-lived though, as just two minutes later, Alba made the most of a mix-up at the back and slotted into an empty net to seal the three points.

Data Debrief: Miami on target once more

Miami have scored in each of their last 11 games in MLS, their longest streak this season. In fact, they have only failed to score in two of their 25 matches in the league so far.

Alba's last strike here ensured they ended a four-match winless streak against the Fire (drawing one, losing three), having failed to beat them since August 2021. 

Inter Miami will again be without injured superstar Lionel Messi as they look to continue on their course for the Supporters' Shield on Saturday.

Miami will host Chicago Fire with Messi absent, just as he was for the midweek home win over Toronto FC.

"Leo will continue to be evaluated by our medical staff week to week," coach Tata Martino said.

"We will see how he recuperates without taking any type of risk."

Messi suffered an ankle injury while on Copa America duty with Argentina, winning that competition but appearing to hamper Inter's title hopes in the process.

But Martino's men are still well placed to achieve their goals, starting with the regular-season championship.

With victory over Toronto, in which Federico Redondo took centre stage with two goals, Miami became the first team to reach 50 points this season.

They have achieved that feat within 24 games, joining esteemed company. The only six teams to previously tally 50 points inside 24 games have gone on to win the Supporters' Shield.

Next opponents Chicago at least head into this encounter off the back of a win of their own, beating FC Cincinnati on the road on Wednesday.

"When you come on the road and get a result like this, it's a great team effort," said Fire coach Frank Klopas.

"Certain guys are playing really well at the moment, but I still feel that everyone can give more. There's a lot more potential in there with the group.

"That's why this game on Saturday is so massive for us."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Inter Miami – Federico Redondo

Miami may be missing Messi, but the supporting cast has consistently stepped up this season. They have had four different players score two or more goals in a match, tied for the most in MLS.

The latest of those was Redondo, scoring his first goals in MLS against Toronto. With an assist in that game, too, he will hope that is the start of a strong run of game.

Chicago Fire – Brian Gutierrez

The Fire have had just three goals from substitutes in 2024, yet two of those have been among their past three goals. The latest, their winner against Cincy, saw Gutierrez emerge from the bench to score.

The midfielder will not want that to develop into a consistent theme, however, surely preferring to play from the start. He had done so in each prior game going back to April.

MATCH PREDICTION: INTER MIAMI WIN

Chicago have actually won four of their six games against Miami, including the past three in a row.

But New York City FC are the only team to further extend such a streak against Miami, and their run of five straight victories ended back in 2022. Miami are a very different prospect in 2024.

Their stretch of scoring in 10 consecutive MLS matches is a club record, with their tally of 19 goals across those games showing the task that lies before Chicago – with or without Messi.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Inter Miami – 64.2%
Chicago Fire – 16.7%
Draw – 19.1%

FC Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan is desperate to find a remedy for his side's "flat" performance last time out, ahead of Chicago Fire's midweek MLS visit.

The Orange and Blue produced arguably their worst performance of their season during Sunday's 3-1 home defeat against Charlotte FC.

Cincinnati will have another chance to respond at TQL Stadium, bidding to remain top of the Eastern Conference standings after a surprise defeat in their last encounter.

Home head coach Noonan acknowledged his side must perform better.

"Our first 35 minutes were probably the worst of the year," Noonan said of the Charlotte showing. "We weren't ready, and that starts with me.

"I have to look at why it was so flat… A lot of poor performances and some avoidable mistakes on the two goals that really put the momentum in their favour.

"I think the warning signs, in terms of how we've conceded, have been there for a couple weeks now.

"There was loss of concentration, lost a mark, set pieces again… some things that we will continue to try to find answers to. Yeah, the way we're conceding goals is concerning."

The Fire, in stark contrast to Cincinnati at the summit, are just one spot from the bottom of the East table.

Chicago did manage a goalless draw with New York City FC, however, in their last match and keeping them ahead of bottom side Philadelphia Union.

Frank Klopas' side have accumulated 10 points from their last seven outings, though their away form is the worst in the Eastern Conference – with just seven points from 33 available on the road.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

FC Cincinnati – Luciano Acosta

Luciano Acosta has been the leading light for Cincinnati's attack this year, sitting top of the club's scoring charts with 11 goals from 23 MLS appearances.

The Orange and Blue forward will be integral once more if the hosts are to down the struggling Fire here.

Chicago Fire – Hugo Cuypers

It remains to be seen whether Xherdan Shaqiri will return from Euro 2024 in time for this one, having announced his international retirement for Switzerland on Monday.

Hugo Cuypers will be expected to step up in his absence again, with the striker scoring nine goals for Chicago in MLS this season – at least four more than any other team-mate.

MATCH PREDICTION – FC CINCINNATI WIN

The home side are the dominant favourites for this clash, with the Opta supercomputer backing their victory chances at a hefty 66.1% from their data-led pre-match simulations.

Cincinnati have triumphed in 12 of their last 15 MLS matches, although three defeats have come in their past eight such outings.

That trio of losses have all come on their home ground, too, yet Cincinnati will be confident of getting over the line in this one.

Klopas' visitors have failed to score in their last two outings, and that will only boost the hosts' hopes heading into this midweek clash.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

FC Cincinnati win – 66.1%

Draw – 18.4%

Chicago Fire win – 15.5%

Nick Cushing believes his New York City FC side are in a good place as they seek to improve their form on the road against Chicago Fire this weekend.

NYCFC are winless in their last three games away from home, with their latest defeat coming against Austin FC last time out as Gyasi Zardes’ double cancelled out Andres Perea's early strike.

The result leaves them in fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings, a point behind rivals New York Red Bulls ahead of the upcoming Leagues Cup break.

Despite their recent loss, Cushing’s side have impressed on home turf and is happy with the moment his players find themselves at an important stage of the season.

“I think the upcoming games are important because I think everybody in the league sees the League Cup break as a natural marker in the season,” Cushing said. “You then focus on the Leagues Cup, and then you've got the run in through until the end of the season.

“I think the only way that we have to approach it is to improve the performances from the previous games. The Austin game was vastly improved compared to the Nashville and the LA Galaxy game.

“We dominate the game, we control the game, we showed a real maturity in when to have the ball and when to go out and counterattack. We created many chances, but we just fell on the wrong side of the result.

“We have to take the positives out of the performance and we have to improve in the areas where we don't get the result and ultimately that is executing in the final third. We missed chances that we created and we gave two moments that in this league you will be punished for.

“We have to fix that fast. Whether it is understanding whether it is mentality, I think this group is in a good place."

Chicago Fire, meanwhile, suffered a third defeat in four games at the hands of San Jose Earthquakes, leaving them precariously close to the bottom of the Eastern Conference table.

Just four points separate seven teams at the wrong end of the standings, with the Fire guilty of squandering several opportunities to put important points on the board.

It was the seventh time this season that Chicago have failed to score in a game. No team has failed to do so more often in the MLS this season.

Head coach Frank Klopas acknowledged his side’s wastefulness in front of goal, insisting his players need to find that clinical edge moving forwards.

“For me, the staff and the players, it felt like a missed opportunity for us to go and pick up points,” Klopas said.

“It was probably not a game that we came out with the highest intensity of energy. I think both teams had a little bit of a slow start. We did create opportunities, but again conceded one goal.

“We created enough to come away with points. It’s disappointing because it was an opportunity with the results around us for us to pick up some important momentum and gain some ground on teams.

“We missed that opportunity. We don’t always make it easy on ourselves when those chances come and we can’t let too many more of those slide away because the season is running out.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Chicago Fire – Hugo Cuypers

Hugo Cuypers has scored in each of his last three MLS appearances at Soldier Field and will be brimming with confidence ahead of facing NYCFC.

No Fire player has had a longer single-season home scoring streak since Nemanja Nikolic scored in four straight home matches to end the 2017 campaign.

NYCFC – Tayvon Gray

Tayvon Gray continued his influential displays for NYCFC in the final third, notching his fifth assist of the season in their win over Philadelphia Union.

Only two MLS players have more assists this season without having a secondary assist (San Jose’s Cristian Espinoza — 10, New York Red Bulls’ Dante Vanzeir — six).

MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW

Heading into the encounter at Soldier Field, NYCFC hold the better head-to-head record from their previous meetings with Chicago, having lost just three times in their 20 all-time fixtures (W11, D6), including going unbeaten in their last five encounters (W4, D1).

Chicago, however, will have confidence in front of their home supporters. Of the 15 points they have taken from NYCFC, 13 have come at home (W3, D4, L2).

The Fire have won back-to-back home matches after a six-match winless run at Soldier Field from mid-April to the end of May. Chicago scored six times in their two home wins after scoring only twice in their previous six games at home.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Chicago Fire – 35%

Draw – 26%

NYCFC – 39%

Frank Klopas has no intentions of ever giving up on Chicago Fire's MLS playoff hopes ahead of their road trip to struggling San Jose Earthquakes.

The Fire fought back from two goals down to snatch a 4-3 thriller against Philadelphia Union last time out, climbing up to 13th in the Eastern Conference.

That win was the second time the Fire triumphed despite trailing by two goals in the last 10 minutes this season (also against CF Montreal in March), as they became the first team to achieve this multiple times in MLS history.

Chicago head coach Klopas lauded his side's battling but urged the Fire to improve and group together when they head to PayPal Park.

"It's great when it goes your way, but I'm not sure if we can keep doing this," Klopas said. "We had some really good chances to put the game away but we didn't do that.

"Everything is one game at a time, at some points it looked bleak. Never give up on this team, the character is strong and I believe in this group.

"It's all about the team, we have to reach our goals as a group, not as individuals."

San Jose are bottom of the Western Conference and unlikely to escape that position if their season is anything to go by.

The Earthquakes were defeated 2-0 by fellow strugglers St. Louis City in their last outing and are the second team in the post-shootout era (since 2000) with 16 losses in their first 21 matches of a season (Tampa Bay Mutiny in 2001).

PLAYERS TO WATCH

San Jose Earthquakes – Amahl Pellegrino

San Jose have had little to celebrate throughout a challenging season, and their hopes may rely on Amahi Pellegrino once again.

The Earthquakes man leads the club scoring charts this season, albeit with only five goals in MLS in 2024.

Chicago Fire – Maren Haile-Selassie

Maren Haile-Selassie has scored in four straight regular-season matches, the second Fire player to do so this year (Hugo Cuypers).

The only players with a longer streak in club history are Robert Beric (five straight in 2020) and David Accam (also five straight in 2017).

MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW

The Earthquakes may be on torrid form in MLS this year but their strong head-to-head record in this fixture suggests the draw as the most likely result.

San Jose have won three straight matches against the Fire, equalling the longest winning streak by either team in the history of the series (all competitions).

Chicago's last win over the Earthquakes was a 2-1 home victory in June 2018, though the Fire may be quietly confident due to San Jose's struggles.

The Earthquakes have lost six consecutive matches for the fourth time in club history and the third since the start of the 2018 season.

San Jose have never lost seven league games in a row, however.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

San Jose Earthquakes win – 36.3%

Draw – 26.2%

Chicago Fire win – 37.6%

Philadelphia Union head coach Jim Curtin is looking to find solutions to the small-margin failures when they travel to Chicago Fire in MLS.

The Union have not won any of their last seven matches in the league and are hoping to snap a four-game losing streak.

Their recent poor run has seen them drop to 12th in the Eastern Conference, and they are four points off a playoff place, but Curtin admits they have not been doing the little things right in recent weeks.

"The small margins are real and when things aren't going well you get exposed," he said. "It's a very fine line.

"The way things are going right now, it's never enough. We haven't been able to defend well as a team. Strange goals have gone in, and we've let ourselves down.

"It hurts. We have to find a way to turn things more in our favour. We've come up short in that area and, as coach, I take responsibility."

Chicago have now slumped to two consecutive defeats after a four-match unbeaten run and sit bottom of the table.

A home win could move them back up the table, and head coach Frank Klopas is using his full squad as he aims to get back to winning ways.

"We have three games in one week, we have to rotate some of our guys," Klopas said. "Those who missed out [against Seattle Sounders], there was nothing in there.

"We want to keep our players fresh so we can get the best results."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Chicago Fire – Maren Haile-Selassie

Maren Haile-Selassie has scored in each of his last three matches. He is the second Fire player with such a streak this season (Hugo Cuypers – four straight).

Only Luka Stojanovic (three straight in 2021) had found the net in three straight games for the Fire over the previous three seasons (2021-23).

Philadelphia Union – Andrew Rick

Dominik Yankov scored CF Montreal's winner in the 89th minute against the Union on Saturday, the fourth time this season the Union have allowed a match-winning goal at 89' or later, tied with San Jose Earthquakes for the most such goals conceded this season.

Andrew Rick will be determined to avoid doing the same again in Chicago as Philadelphia aim to get back to winning ways.

MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW

Chicago have lost only two of their last 12 home matches against the Union (W6 D4) dating back to the start of the 2014 season. The Fire have more home wins over the Union (six) than they have against any other opponent since 2014.

The Fire conceded twice from the penalty spot in their loss to Seattle on Saturday, the fourth time since the start of last season that they have allowed two goals from the spot in a match. Chicago had conceded multiple penalty goals in a match three times in the club’s first 25 MLS seasons.

Meanwhile, the Union have equaled the longest single-season regular-season losing streak in club history at four (fourth time). Philadelphia have won one of their last 14 matches (D5 L8) dating back to mid-April.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Chicago Fire – 35.5%

Draw – 26%

Philadelphia Union – 38.5%

Brian Schmetzer urged Seattle Sounders to rediscover their home form ahead of Saturday's meeting with Chicago Fire in MLS.

The hosts sit ninth in the Western Conference standings, but are 12 points adrift of the top three sides in the table.

Schmetzer's side have not won back-to-back MLS games all season, though that is a possibility when the out-of-form Chicago visit Lumen Park.

Seattle will be invigorated by last-gasp drama in their 3-2 win over FC Dallas last time out, and the head coach hopes his team can utilise that momentum going forward.

"We need to follow up that crazy, exciting, perfect for the fans, but horrible for the coaches win," he said. "We've got two more home games to come, and we need to re-establish some home form.

"I haven't mentioned it to the players, but we have discussed it internally among the coaches, how to get them more consistent and delivering on a regular basis.

"[Let's] see if we can generate some more results. We're still below the playoff line, but seven points in a week is a good number.

"Now, we talk about keeping the momentum at home going, not necessarily winning two in a row, but just re-establishing what we do here and how we go about things."

The Fire appeared to be finding form with a four-match unbeaten streak, though that was snapped with a 4-2 defeat in Orlando last weekend.

Chicago are languishing at the bottom of the Eastern Conference and have struggled on the road, managing just one win in nine away matches.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Seattle Sounders – Jordan Morris

Jordan Morris scored the 88th-minute equaliser and stoppage-time winner in Seattle's comeback win over Dallas on Saturday.

Morris is the first player in Sounders history to score both the match-tying and winning goals in the 80th minute or later of an MLS match.

Chicago Fire – Hugo Cuypers

Hugo Cuypers has scored in four consecutive matches for the Fire, the longest active goalscoring streak in MLS.

If he scores against Seattle, Cuypers will equal the longest regular-season scoring streak in the Fire's MLS history: five games by David Accam in 2017 and Robert Beric in 2020.

MATCH PREDICTION – SEATTLE SOUNDERS WIN

With the Fire enjoying a favourable head-to-head record and the Sounders in fine form, this clash was difficult to split the pair, though Seattle appear favourites for a narrow victory.

Seattle have lost only two of their last 13 matches in all competitions (won six, drawn five), with both of those defeats coming on the road.

Indeed, the Sounders are unbeaten in seven straight home games, including winning three of the last four at Lumen Field (drawn one), but Chicago should still not be ruled out.

The Fire have won their last two meetings with Seattle, one at home and one at the MLS is Back Tournament in 2020. Prior to that, Chicago had won just two of 17 meetings with the Sounders (drawn four, lost 11).

They also remain winless in Seattle in nine all-time visits (drawn two, lost seven), but have won their last two trips to the Pacific Northwest, winning 3-1 at Vancouver Whitecaps in 2022 and 2-1 at Portland Timbers in 2023.

Prior to the last two matches, Chicago had never won at any of the three Cascadia MLS teams in all competitions (drawn four, lost 19 at Portland, Seattle and Vancouver), a feat they will hope does not come back to haunt them here.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Seattle Sounders win – 54.6%

Draw – 23.3%

Chicago Fire win – 22%

Chicago Fire Frank Klopas is pleased with the impact his attacking players have been working together this season and is looking forward to seeing how they fare against Orlando City.

The Fire are level on points with their hosts heading into the game on Saturday but sit above them due to their superior goal difference.

Chicago are currently on a four-match unbeaten streak, winning each of their last two matches, with Klopas praising his players for finding their attacking groove in recent weeks.

"Going to Orlando, especially in this heat, we have to be good on the ball, it's so important, and we've worked hard on that," Klopas said. "The team is in a good moment, and they're also working extremely hard and that's very important to me.

"We've been dangerous in games when we work as a unit and quickly transition.

"It's been a big focus of ours from the beginning of the season to get more opportunities, and we've done a much better job with that, and we're showing our ability to finish chances."

Orlando are in 14th but will leapfrog their opponents with a win. However, they will need to snap a five-match winless streak in order to do that.

Head coach Oscar Pareja was once again left to lament late lapses of concentration in their 2-2 draw with Charlotte FC and is hoping to improve that against the Fire.

"It has happened in recent games where we dominate possession that we concede late goals," the head coach said.

"I think our vigilance is getting better, but [against Charlotte] we lost two duels, and they found a way to hurt us. We need to get better about controlling possession."

PLAYER TO WATCH

Orlando City – Facundo Torres

Torres, who scored Orlando's equalizer on Wednesday against Charlotte, has scored four goals in five career MLS matches against the Fire, tied for his most against any opponent (also four vs the New York Red Bulls).

Chicago Fire – Hugo Cuypers

Cuypers has recorded a goal contribution in each of his last four appearances for the Fire, the first player to do so for the club since Robert Beric in 2020 (five straight).

Chicago has posted a record of W3 D3 L1 in matches in which Cuypers has been involved in a goal this season and W1 D3 L7 when he has not.

MATCH PREDICTION: ORLANDO CITY WIN

Orlando are unbeaten in six straight matches against the Fire (W4 D2), though Chicago did manage a home draw when the sides met on May 29. The Lions have just one longer regular-season unbeaten run against a single opponent, going eight straight without defeat vs. Toronto FC from 2019-23.

However, Orlando have lost four of their last five home matches, including each of the last two. They had suffered just one defeat in their previous 16 regular-season home matches (W9 D6) before this run.

Meanwhile, Chicago have recorded back-to-back wins after winning just two of their first 16 matches this season (D6 L8). The Fire have netted six times over the two wins after scoring six total goals in their previous 11 games.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Orlando City – 54%

Draw – 23.6%

Chicago Fire – 22.4%

Sean Johnson is excited to extend his stay with Toronto FC, after penning a new contract with the club.

The goalkeeper, who has been included in the United States’ squad for the Copa America, joined Toronto ahead of the 2023 season from New York City FC.

While last season was a disappointment for the Reds, Toronto are sixth in the Eastern Conference, with 24 points from their 17 games so far in 2024.

Johnson has kept four clean sheets in 12 MLS appearances, and his good form has been rewarded with a deal that will keep him with Toronto until the end of the 2026 campaign.

Ahead of Toronto’s meeting with the Chicago Fire, Johnson told club media: “I am excited to extend my time in Toronto – the fans have welcomed me with open arms since arriving.

“TFC has a rich history of success and I’m committed to giving everything to add some more special moments for the club and the city.”

“We are happy to announce that Sean has signed an extension with Toronto as he has been an integral part of our evolution both on and off the field,” said Toronto general manager Jason Hernandez.

“Sean will continue to provide us with the consistency and stability we will need in our group as we continue to push towards reaching our full potential. His leadership has been a fundamental aspect of our team’s identity, and we look forward to Sean helping our club achieve its goals in 2024 and beyond.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Toronto FC – Federico Bernardeschi

Bernardeschi had a goal and an assist in Toronto’s draw with D.C. on June 1, taking his total to 11 goal contributions (seven goals, four assists) this season, one more than any Toronto player recorded during the 2023 campaign.

Chicago Fire – Hugo Cuypers

Cuypers scored one of the Fire’s two goals in their win over the Galaxy and has been involved in a goal in three straight MLS appearances. No player has been involved in a goal in four straight games for the Fire since Robert Beric in September-October 2020 (five straight).

MATCH PREDICTION: TORONTO WIN

Chicago snapped a nine-match winless run with a 2-1 home victory over the LA Galaxy on June 1. It was the Fire’s first multi-goal performance since their previous win, a 2-1 victory over Houston on April 6.

Toronto have scored 33 goals in its last 11 matches in all competitions (W6 D2 L3). The Reds had totalled 32 goals in their previous 43 matches dating back to March 2023.

The Reds are unbeaten in 12 straight home matches against the Fire (W7 D5) with Chicago’s last win in Toronto coming in 2012. This is Toronto’s longest home unbeaten run against any opponent in their MLS history.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Toronto FC – 44.5%

Chicago Fire – 28.7%

Draw – 26.8%

Dejan Joveljic has his eyes on the Western Conference summit as LA Galaxy bid to make it a nine-point week on Saturday, when they face the Chicago Fire at Soldier Field.

The Galaxy have won back-to-back games against Houston Dynamo (2-1) and FC Dallas (3-1) and sit second in the West, just two points behind Real Salt Lake.

Greg Vanney's team have now lost just one of their last nine matches (four wins, four draws), but Joveljic wants even more, starting in Chicago. 

"We would like to win four or five games in a row," the forward said. "But first, we have to win three and then we will see. We are in second place, so it's good, but it could be better. 

"In the playoffs, I would like to start with the first game at home. So, that means we have to be in the top four teams but, of course, our top goal is to be first."

Chicago, meanwhile, are winless in nine MLS matches (four draws, five defeats) following their 1-1 draw with Orlando City on Wednesday. 

Only the New England Revolution, with seven points, sit below them in the Eastern Conference standings. However, boss Frank Klopas has seen signs of improvement.

"I think in these last two games, we've changed how we wanted to play. We haven't got the wins, but I feel we're improving as a team," he said.

"There's a big belief in the group, but there's also frustration, for sure. There are a lot of emotions because of where we are.

"We have to keep going. It's great that we're playing on Saturday again, it's going to be a great crowd, and we have to come out with the same attitude against Galaxy."

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Chicago Fire – Hugo Cuypers 

Cuypers scored the Fire's goal in their draw with Orlando on Wednesday.

The Belgian forward has now either scored (four) or assisted (one) five of Chicago's last nine MLS goals.

LA Galaxy – Riqui Puig

While Gabriel Pec assisted Joveljic for Galaxy's first goal on Wednesday, Puig scored the third (Joveljic netted the second from the penalty spot). 

At least one of Pec or Puig have been involved in 12 of the Galaxy's last 13 non-penalty goals in MLS, including the last nine in a row.

MATCH PREDICTION – LA GALAXY

Galaxy are unbeaten in six straight MLS matches (two wins, four draws), including winning their last two in a row. 

This is LA's 18th two-match winning streak since the start of the 2021 season, but Galaxy have not won three straight matches in all competitions since a four-match streak between August and September 2020.

Galaxy have a great chance to achieve that feat this week, though, with Chicago winless in nine league games. They have gone 10 or more consecutive matches without a victory in a single regular season three times before, most recently between April and May 2022.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Chicago Fire – 32.9%

LA Galaxy – 41.5%

Draw – 25.6%

Oscar Pareja has admitted Orlando City's lack of goals in recent weeks is a cause for concern as they aim to change that against the Chicago Fire on Wednesday.

The Lions have won two of their last five matches but alternated between hitting the back of the net and failing to score during that run, getting shut out by Columbus Crew on Saturday.

Orlando are currently 10th in the Eastern Conference, two points off the playoffs, and Pareja hopes his side can add a more clinical edge against Chicago to close that gap.

"[Not scoring] is a concern, especially when you don't have the accuracy to cross or to find somebody in the box. Or if somebody is in the box but isn't precise to finish it off," Pareja said.

"The concern in the week is how can we polish them. But we have scored before, and we were collecting some games where the strikers start scoring. It's day by day, but today we need to be worried about it."

Chicago sit second from the bottom with just 11 points after only winning two games this season.

The Fire have failed to win any of their previous eight matches but snapped a four-game losing streak with their 1-1 draw against D.C. United at the weekend.

"It's about consistency now to keep going," Frank Klopas said. "We have the level, we've shown it.

"We've got to do it consistently, but [Saturday] was a step in the right direction with the attitude, the mentality, the fight with the group and playing really good football and creating good chances.

"[One] step at a time, we take it, we regroup, and now we need to come out with even more energy on Wednesday."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Chicago Fire – Kellyn Acosta

Acosta scored his second goal for the Fire on Saturday, with both coming from outside the box. The American has scored eight goals from outside the box in his regular-season MLS career, with four coming from his right foot and four from his left.

Orlando City – Nicolas Lodeiro

Orlando have scored nine goals on the road this season, with Lodeiro recording assists on five of them. Lodeiro has 38 career regular-season assists on the road, the most among active MLS players and seventh-most in MLS history.

MATCH PREDICTION – ORLANDO CITY WIN

Orlando have won four of their last five meetings with the Fire (one draw), including the last three in a row. Prior to this run, Orlando had won just three of 14 matches against Chicago (five draws, six losses) in all competitions since joining MLS in 2015.

Orlando have also won three of their last four regular-season road games (one draw), including back-to-back wins over the Philadelphia Union and San Jose Earthquakes. This is the Lions' ninth set of consecutive away wins in MLS league play, though they've never won three in a row on the road before.

Meanwhile, Chicago ended a four-match losing streak with a 1-1 draw against D.C. United on Saturday. Still, the Fire have a club record-low 11 points after 15 matches, a total only one team since 2000 has overcome to reach the playoffs: Inter Miami in the extended playoffs of 2020.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Chicago Fire – 32.1%

Draw – 27.9%

Orlando City – 40%

Frank Klopas and the Chicago Fire may not have to worry about demotion from MLS, but he wants them to adopt a "relegation battle" mentality ahead of Saturday's visit to D.C. United.

The Fire sit 14th in the Eastern Conference standings after losing four straight games, with three of those defeats coming at home including last week's 3-1 reverse against the Columbus Crew. 

Their current losing run is their fifth streak or four or more regular-season defeats since the start of 2021, though they have not lost five in a row in league play since 2018.

"The thing is trying to simplify things in practice, I think that's the most important thing with teams going through a difficult moment," Klopas said.

"The mental state of the team is obviously down. I think that's expected when you don't get results, when performances are not going your way.

"Even though there's no relegation battle in this league, we have to approach every game right now like it's a relegation fight until we can get out of this situation we're in."

D.C. are also looking to respond after back-to-back losses to the New York Red Bulls (1-4) and Inter Miami (0-1), with those results leaving them ninth in the East.

Troy Lesesne's team have won praise for their counter-pressing approach this year, but he says they still have plenty of room for improvement when playing on the break.

"No matter who the opponent is, we want to be difficult to play against and to break down, but we're also doing that so we can create," Lesesne said.

"We're top in the league for expected goals on the counterattack, but we have to finalise those situations.

"We're going to keep working on that, keep gaining those moments and keep improving." 

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

D.C. United – Christian Benteke 

Benteke has scored 11 of D.C.'s 20 goals this season, with no other team-mate netting more than once in MLS play.

D.C. United are one of two MLS teams (also the Houston Dynamo) to only have one player with multiple goals this season.

Chicago Fire – Carlos Teran 

Teran scored the Fire's only goal against the Crew last week and has now netted once for them in each of the last four seasons, making him the only player to score in each of the last four campaigns for Chicago.

The Colombian defender is hardly a goal machine, but Chicago will hope he can have an impact at both ends here.

MATCH PREDICTION – D.C. UNITED WIN 

Chicago's tally of 10 points through 14 matches in 2024 is their worst total at this stage of a season in club history.

Things may not get any better for them on Saturday against a team known for employing an energetic approach.

D.C. United recorded a 4-0 home win over Chicago in the teams' last meeting last September, and they are looking to post back-to-back victories over the Fire for the first time since a four-game winning run against them between 2014 and 2016.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

D.C. United – 47.7%

Chicago Fire – 26.6% 

Draw – 25.7% 

Frank Klopas admits he is finding things "extremely difficult" amid Chicago Fire FC's poor form as they prepare to welcome Columbus Crew to Soldier Field.

The Fire have lost three MLS games in a row, most recently going down 1-0 to Charlotte FC in midweek, and are now winless in six.

Without a win since early April, Chicago have slipped down to 14th in the Eastern Conference ahead of Saturday's visit of Columbus.

Klopas, who was appointed head coach in December after previous spells as caretaker and assistant, knows it is on him to turn things around.

"We need confidence - we're very low on that," he said. "It's not easy because I'm asked the same questions, and I'm trying to find solutions and answers. I know I keep saying it, but we have to keep going and find a way out of this. 

"I love this club and felt I could help it, so it's a difficult one for me because I wouldn't do this for any other team. It's extremely difficult in this moment because I haven't found solutions. We'll keep trying."

Columbus are seventh in the East, eight points better off than their opponents, having played a game less, and enter this contest on the back of a 3-1 win at CF Montreal.

That snapped a seven-game winless run, culminating in a 2-1 home reverse to FC Cincinnati – a loss that may prove to be a turning point for the reigning league champions.

"After the game against Cincinnati, we discussed about a specific topic," head coach Wilfried Nancy said after the win against Montreal. "For me, that was a weird game, and I explained the situation.

"That's why we were able to score goals [against Montreal]. That's why we were able to control the game. That's why we had a really good performance."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Chicago Fire - Hugo Cuypers

The Fire have failed to score in four successive home matches for the first time in their history. That leaves them just one blank short of equalling the all-time MLS record of five, set by Toronto FC in 2007 and matched by FC Cincinnati in 2020.

The onus is on the forward players to find a way past Columbus, with Hugo Cuypers registering three shots against Charlotte, each of which were on target but none finding the net. The Fire quite simply need Cuypers to find his range this weekend.

Columbus Crew - Steven Moreira

Defender Moreira proved to be Columbus' unlikely hero in the win over Montreal as he set up two goals - the first multi-assist game of a Crew career that spans 100 games in all competitions.

Moreira, who also netted in the recent 2-2 draw with Portland Timbers, is the only player to register multiple assists in a single game for Columbus in MLS this season.

MATCH PREDICTION - COLUMBUS CREW WIN

Columbus have won five of their past six meetings with Chicago, including the past three in a row. Never before have they won four straight regular-season meetings with the Fire.

Chicago's three-game losing run is their worst of the season and their worst since a five-match losing streak that ended in September last year.

The Fire's 10 points after 13 matches are the fewest they have ever registered at this stage, meanwhile, and it does not get any easier for them against a Columbus side that have won back-to-back games 3-1 on their travels.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Chicago Fire - 32.6%
Draw - 29%
Columbus Crew - 38.4%

Charlotte FC boss Dean Smith believes “mentality” is the main issue for sides daunted by away trips.

Smith takes his team to face the Chicago Fire on Wednesday, with Charlotte having taken just one point from their five away games in MLS so far this season.

But Smith struggles to see why there is such a difference in confidence between home and away fixtures.

“Mentality,” said Smith when asked what the issue was.

“I believe some people, before they even leave, have accepted it’s going to be tougher. The only reason it’s tougher is because that’s in your head. Yes, you’ve got to travel, you haven’t got home fans or home advantage, but the pitches are still the same size, you’ve still got to get into your box and score a goal, and they’ve got to get in yours and you’ve got to defend your box.

“I don’t think there’s too much in it other than you have your fans behind you and home comforts. We should have had more points on the road, our performances merited more points but we’ve not taken chances on the road so far.”

Charlotte have won their last two games, both at home, while the Fire are on a five-game winless run.

“I’ve just been watching clips of them. It’s going to be a tough game, as everyone keeps telling me, it’s tough on the road,” Smith said.

“We’ll try to change that. They got beat at the weekend so it’s a bit of a tough time for them but we have to concentrate on ourselves.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Chicago Fire – Hugo Cuypers

The Fire have failed to score in three straight regular-season home games for the third time in club history. Cuypers is their top scorer, with three goals this term, and the onus will be on him to get firing again.

Charlotte FC – Patrick Agyemang

Patrick Agyemang scored Charlotte’s winner against Nashville SC last time out, making him the team’s leading scorer in MLS in 2024, with three goals to his name.

MATCH PREDICTION: CHICAGO WIN

While Chicago are made the favourites by Opta’s model, Charlotte have recorded back-to-back shutout wins. Charlotte have never won three straight regular-season matches without conceding a goal, something no team has managed to do in MLS in 2024.

Chicago are winless in five straight games and has just 10 points through their first 12 this season (W2 D4 L6). The Fire have had fewer points at this stage of a season only once before, taking nine points through 12 matches in 2020.

Charlotte have won three straight matches against the Fire after Chicago won the first meeting, 3-2. Charlotte have never won four straight meetings with a single opponent, though.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Chicago Fire – 41.1%

Charlotte – 29.9%

Draw – 29%

Bradley Carnell has warned his St. Louis City side they can't get comfortable despite a four-game unbeaten run.

Carnell's men last lost in March, since winning one and drawing three to leave St. Louis ninth in the Western Conference, just three points behind sixth-placed Austin FC.

As his team prepares to host the Chicago Fire this weekend, Carnell has cautioned his players not to become complacent.

"We can speak so many nice positives, especially with our three clean sheets in four and there are so many good moments," Carnell said.

"But I also don't want to get comfortable with that. I don't want to be used to getting draws. I don't want to hype up getting ties."

Carnell's side will look to extend their unbeaten run against a Fire team winless in four, currently 13th in the East after a poor start.

Chicago head coach Frank Klopas hopes his team don't lose faith, telling reporters: "Our focus is to continue to stay positive with the group.

"It's a process of evaluating and looking at how we can improve as a team, and then making sure once we analyse the games we look at certain things we did well and our mistakes to look to improve.

"It's a long season. I feel the team has been playing well, but we have to find a way to get points."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

St. Louis City – Joao Klauss

No St. Louis player has managed more MLS goal contributions than Klauss so far this term, scoring three and adding an assist. He will likely lead the line on Saturday and will hope to score the goals that start turning draws into wins.

Chicago Fire – Brian Gutierrez

Despite his team's poor collective start, 20-year-old midfielder Gutierrez has performed well and leads his team with three MLS goals so far this season, while also registering an assist. He will look to build on that and try to turn his side's fortunes around, starting this Saturday.

MATCH PREDICTION – ST. LOUIS WIN

St. Louis have kept clean sheets in three of their last four matches, including in the scoreless draw with the Houston Dynamo last time out. St. Louis had managed just two clean sheets in their previous 23 matches in all competitions dating back to last July.

The Fire, meanwhile, have failed to score in four straight matches. This is the fifth time Chicago have gone four or more consecutive league matches without scoring since the start of the 2021 season.

Six of St. Louis City's last eight matches have ended in draws, but home advantage should be enough to see off a struggling Chicago team on Saturday.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

St. Louis: 55.5%

Chicago: 19%

Draw: 25.5%