B.J. Callaghan is desperate for Nashville SC to build on his first win at the helm when they host the Chicago Fire in MLS on Wednesday.

Nashville lost nine of 10 games – going down in a penalty shoot-out after drawing the other – either side of Callaghan's appointment, but they finally turned the corner on Saturday.

Goals from Alexandre Muyl and Hany Mukhtar fired them to a 2-0 win over Atlanta United, and Callaghan sees Wednesday's clash with Chicago – who are level with

Nashville in the Eastern Conference standings – as an opportunity to build some momentum.

"We were pleased with the performance we had, we've talked about having consistent performances and stacking them up," Callaghan said.

"It's a quick turnaround, so everything we've been doing leading into Chicago has been about focusing on ourselves and making sure the guys recover.

"Then we'll just focus on the things we're good at, try to get better at those things, and we'll apply some of those ideas to the challenge that Chicago will bring. 

"They're probably looking at us the same way as we're looking at them, as a game where they want to earn three points."

Chicago also halted a miserable run of six games without a win (one draw, five defats) by beating the New York Red Bulls 2-1 last time out, moving within four points of the wild-card places.

"It's about time! It feels great, because I think we faced some adversity," Klopas said. 

"People faced adversity and stepped up, so huge credit to the team as a whole. It's important that we're still in this thing, now we have to go on the road and keep fighting."

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Nashville SC – Hany Mukhtar 

Mukhtar has scored two hat-tricks against the Fire in his MLS career, one of seven players to record multiple hat-tricks against a single opponent. 

No player in MLS history has recorded three hat-tricks against a single opponent.

Chicago Fire – Georgios Koutsias 

Koutsias has scored on each of his last two appearances. Two Fire players (Maren Haile-Selassie and Hugo Cuypers) have already scored in at least three straight games this year. 

The only previous seasons in which three different Fire players had streaks of three or more games with a goal were 2018 and 1998.

MATCH PREDICTION – NASHVILLE SC

The Fire's 1-0 home win over Nashville on July 8 was their first win in the teams' head-to-head series, after Nashville had gone unbeaten through the first four encounters (two wins, two draws).

Nashville ended an eight-match losing streak in MLS action on Saturday, beating Atlanta United 2-0 to also end a run of allowing multiple goals in eight successive games.

They might be confident of repeating the trick, with Chicago only winning three of their last 21 road games in all competitions (six draws, 12 defeats).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Nashville SC – 46.3%

Chicago Fire – 27.1%

Draw – 26.6%

Chicago Fire head coach Frank Klopas insisted his side must overcome their slow start against D.C. United in order to push for the playoffs ahead of facing the New York Red Bulls this weekend.

Klopas watched on as his side conceded twice in three minutes midway through the first half against D.C. as Christian Benteke and Gabriel Pirani’s struck to secure the triumph for the visitors.

The result leaves the Fire 14th in the Eastern Conference standings, with Klopas stressing the importance of energy from the first whistle to his players.

“We needed to come out with energy. If we did that, I felt that we were in the game,” Klopas said.

“We got that goal. And then, if you see the second half, the amount of possession, and it's a team that was sitting back, looking to counter.

“We get in good spots, and then our ability in the final 25 yards from goal, whether it's just making a play, the quality of the crosses coming in, connecting, we get in really good spots and we need to be better and sharper in the final third, in those areas.”

The Red Bulls, meanwhile, played out a 13th draw of the season on home soil against Kansas City last time out, with 16-year-old Julian Hall snatching a point in the final minute of normal time.

It marked just their second goal from their last three MLS fixtures since returning from the Leagues Cup, and they have since lost pace with the top three in the Eastern Conference but are still four points ahead of rivals New York City FC in fourth place.

Head coach Sandro Schwarz acknowledged his side's difficulties in the final third of late but insisted that his squad have addressed their lack of confidence at the top end of the pitch.

“I think it is also from the mental side,” Schwarz said. “When you did not have the best game last week, and then you concede the first goal, it is not easy for a young team.

“On this point, I am very happy we were able to get this point. This is what we can improve, and this is what we have done also to create more of these moments in the final third.

“We had big chances throughout the game, but from this point you need a goal to give you confidence to believe in your quality – this is what we have to do."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Chicago Fire – Andrew Gutman

Gutman scored Chicago’s only goal against D.C. from outside the box, the seventh Fire goal from outside the penalty area in 2024.

Chicago last scored more goals from outside the box in the 2012 season (13).

NYRB – Cory Burke

Burke has scored 28 career regular season MLS goals with eight of those coming against this weekend’s opponents.

The Jamaican has not scored more than three goals against any other MLS opponent but has scored at least once in every season he’s faced the Fire from 2018 to 2023.

MATCH PREDICTION: NYRB WIN

The Fire are unbeaten in four straight meetings with the Red Bulls (W1 D3), including a scoreless draw at Red Bull Arena in April. Chicago last went five straight unbeaten against New York in all competitions from August 2010 to June 2012 (W2 D3).

However, they have lost three straight home matches in all competitions for the third time since the start of last season. Chicago had lost three straight home matches in all competitions just twice in the club’s first 25 seasons and have never lost four in a row at home before.

While coming into the encounter as favourites, eight of the Red Bulls’ last 11 regular season matches have ended in draws (W2 L1), including all four on the road during that time. They are also winless in six straight regular season road games (D4 L2) since a win at D.C. United in May.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Chicago Fire – 27.3%

Draw – 24%

NYRB – 48.7%

Troy Lesesne is only looking up as D.C. United look to continue their playoff push against the Chicago Fire on Saturday, having won three of their last four games in MLS to close on the wild-card spots.

D.C. beat Toronto FC 3-1 last time out, with Dominique Badji and Gabriel Pirani netting late on to decide a game that remained level with 88 minutes played.

Lesesne's team are now 11th in the Eastern Conference standings, three points clear of 14th-placed Chicago and two adrift of Atlanta United in the final wild-card place.

"We're not going to back down," Lesesne said. "We still realise there's a lot to play for in 2024, but while there's an opportunity, we have to make the most of it.

"When it goes 1-1 like that, you have a choice. But for us, it's never a choice. We're going to keep trying to push."

Chicago, meanwhile, saw their own playoff hopes dented by a 4-1 defeat to pacesetters Inter Miami last time out, with Luis Suarez netting twice for the Herons.

Boss Frank Klopas knows the Fire have no time to dwell on that result, saying: "We have to rebound. With the performance, we could have been better against Miami, but I just felt the mistakes we made cost us.

"We let the game get out of hand. It's just about keeping things tight, not giving up more than one goal per game, because we will always get opportunities. 

"Now every game, we've talked about the importance of it. Other than Miami every game is against someone fighting for those spots in the playoffs.

"We'll prepare well this week and make the right decisions about who we put out on the field."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Chicago Fire – Georgios Koutsias 

Koutsias came off the bench to score the Fire's lone goal in their defeat to Miami last Saturday. 

Three of Chicago's last seven MLS goals have been scored by substitutes after only one of the club's first 26 regular-season goals in 2024 were netted by substitutes.

D.C. United – Gabriel Pirani

D.C., meanwhile, had three substitutes score in their victory over Toronto last time out, including Pirani.

Pirani has three goals in MLS this season, with only Christian Benteke – the league's leading scorer with 17 – outperforming him for D.C.

MATCH PREDICTION – CHICAGO FIRE WIN

Chicago have failed to win any of their last five matches in all competitions (one draw, four losses), following their 4-1 home defeat to Miami last time out.

They have scored in each of those games, though, and might fancy their chances of a different result against a D.C. team with just three wins in 18 away league games (seven draws, eight losses), a run that dates back to early July 2023.

Chicago are unbeaten in nine straight home matches against D.C. (three wins, six draws), last losing to them on their own turf in June 2015. This is their longest active home unbeaten run against any team in regular-season play.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Chicago Fire – 44%

D.C. United – 29.2%

Draw – 26.8%

Luis Suarez scored two and orchestrated another as Inter Miami cruised to a 4-1 win over Chicago Fire at Soldier Field on Saturday.

His shot led to the opening own goal before his second-half double put the game out of reach as Miami stretched their lead at the top of the Eastern Conference to nine points. 

Suarez played a neat one-two with Diego Gomez to set up a strike from the edge of the box, and though Chris Brady did well to save it, he pushed it straight against Tobias Salquist, who chested it over the line 25 minutes in.

The Uruguayan thumped a free header against the bar minutes later, but finally got his reward just after the break – he raced in behind before slotting a neat shot in at the near post.

Alba then picked him out for his second in the 65th minute, fizzing a low cross into the six-yard box for him to guide past Brady.

Gomez was unlucky from distance as his drilled shot hit the inside of the post before Georgios Koutsias' instinctive close-range finish beat Drake Callender.

Substitute Robert Taylor then rounded off the scoring with a lovely first-time finish in stoppage time.

Data Debrief: Suarez continues to step up in Messi's absence

Miami have now been without their talisman Lionel Messi for three months due to the Copa America and an ankle injury, but Suarez has proven once again that they still pose a threat without him.

He has scored four times from a total of 12 shots since MLS resumed, with nine of those coming in this game. 

The 37-year-old ran the show, leading the team in expected goals (1.4), shots on target (five), touches in the box (eight) and big chances (four).

The target is clear for Inter Miami this season, and that is to win MLS Cup, so says goalkeeper Drake Callender.

Miami clinched their place in the playoffs thanks to a 2-0 win over FC Cincinnati, with Luis Suarez on target.

The Herons have taken 56 points in MLS this season, and are eight points clear at the top of the Eastern Conference.

And with Lionel Messi still yet to return to full fitness, Miami are setting their sights on MLS Cup glory.

Callender said: "Of course, our goals are set super high and our standards are set super high.

"We want to win – we want to win the Eastern Conference, we want to win MLS Cup."

The Chicago Fire are next up for Miami, and Gerardo Martino wants to see his team replicate the level they displayed against Cincinnati.

"What we have to do is continue to maintain our performance," Martino said.

"We don't want to try to modify the way in which the team is facing each of the matches because we're at the final stretch, and then have to review how to play the last few games before the playoffs because they're completely different situations."

Midfielder Diego Gomez said: "We achieved our first objective, which is to make it to the playoffs. We have to keep going, we still have to keep training, we have to keep improving."

When asked about Messi's comeback, Martino explained: "Leo, like I said the other day, I can't tell you exactly what time, but he's already on the field. He is working with his physical therapist, he's out of the medical ward, he is training with a ball.

"So he has to get back in shape or recover most of his fitness that any player loses when they are out for five or six weeks and to feel confident that his injury is behind him. But it is something that I believe is not very far from happening."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Chicago Fire - Brian Gutierrez 

Gutierrez scored the equaliser from the penalty spot in the fourth minute of stoppage time in Chicago's draw with New York City FC last time out.

It was the Fire's first result-changing penalty in stoppage time of an MLS match in club history.

Inter Miami - Luis Suarez

Suarez's two goals came in the opening six minutes against Cincinnati, which is the fastest from kick-off any player has scored twice in an MLS match since Ross Paule (also two goals in the first six minutes) for the Colorado Rapids in 1998.

MATCH PREDICTION: INTER MIAMI WIN

Miami have won 14 of their last 18 regular season matches (D2 L2), including the last three in a row. The Seattle Sounders, in July-October 2018, are the only team in the post-shootout era (since 2000) to win 15 times in a span of 19 matches in a single regular season.

The Fire scored in the 78th minute and in second-half stoppage time to earn a 2-2 draw with NYCFC, the third time this season Chicago have avoided defeat in a match in which they trailed by multiple goals in the final 15 minutes.

The home side have won five of the seven all-time meetings between the Fire and Miami, including Chicago winning all three of their home matches against the Herons by a combined score of 8-2. 

However, Miami are firm favourites according to Opta's model.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Chicago Fire - 24.6%

Inter Miami - 52.4%

Draw - 23%

Nick Cushing maintains 'sky-high' levels of belief in his New York City squad as they look to bounce back from their Leagues Cup disappointment against the Chicago Fire.

NYCFC reached the quarter-finals of the Leagues Cup, only to suffer a heartbreaking penalty shoot-out defeat to the Columbus Crew last week.

They resume their MLS campaign in a strong position, though, sitting fifth in the Eastern Conference standings and holding an eight-point cushion to the play-in spots.

Cushing does not expect City's Leagues Cup exit to affect them in the run-in, saying: "I said at the start of the season, when we started slowly, that my confidence in the group is sky-high and always has been.

"We fell below our standards last season, but I said then that tough times make top teams.

"If you have guys with a work ethic as high as ours is, you'll learn from your experiences. I have sky-high belief in this group of guys.

"This team has the capability, but it's about how you move forward, it's about the character to take the knocks and move forward."

Chicago, on the other hand, resume their campaign in 14th place, though the congested nature of the Eastern standings means they are only three points off a play-in place.

Head coach Frank Klopas has been grateful for the chance to work with his players on the training ground, with their own Leagues Cup campaign ending in the group stage three weeks ago.

"Putting all pressure and expectations aside, I think we need to be prepared, which we are, and this break has given us an opportunity to really work on that and also the little details," Klopas said. 

"I think we need to go and play the game, not to overthink things, and be focused and organised without the ball."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

New York City – Santiago Rodriguez 

Thirteen (seven goals, six assists) of Rodriguez's 16 regular-season goal contributions for New York City in 2024 have come at home. 

Rodriguez has been involved in seven goals in his last five home league matches (three goals, four assists).

Chicago Fire – Hugo Cuypers 

Cuypers has recorded a team-high 11 goal contributions in regular-season play for the Fire this year (nine goals, two assists). 

The only player since 2021 with more than 11 goal contributions in a season for Chicago was Xherdan Shaqiri (18) in 2022.

MATCH PREDICTION – NEW YORK CITY WIN

New York City have won eight straight regular-season matches against Chicago, tied for the second-longest active home winning streak by one team over another in MLS.

It is also NYCFC's longest home winning run against a particular team in MLS, though they have drawn six of their last eight games in all competitions (one win, one loss).

However, a Chicago team that has lost their last three games in all competitions should not present much of a threat. This is the Fire's 10th losing streak of three or more matches since the start of the 2020 season.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

New York City – 61%

Chicago Fire – 18.5%

Draw – 20.5%

Xherdan Shaqiri has agreed to leave the Chicago Fire two and a half years on from his record-breaking transfer to the MLS club.

Former Bayern Munich, Inter and Liverpool winger Shaqiri joined the Fire from Lyon in February 2022 in a reported $7.5million deal, then a club record fee.

Shaqiri, who won the Champions League at both Bayern and Liverpool, scored 14 goals in 69 regular-season matches for Chicago.

However, the 32-year-old had not played for the club since May due to appearing for Switzerland at Euro 2024. He subsequently retired from international football.

Shaqiri does not appear ready to quit the club game, though, explaining this mutual agreement served to further his career elsewhere.

"I believe this is the right time for me to explore new opportunities in my career," he said in a statement.

"I want to thank the club and the fans for their support during my time in Chicago. I wish the Fire nothing but success moving forward."

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%