Tag: Chicago Fire Preview

NYCFC vs Chicago Fire: Preview

On Friday, May 15th NYCFC will host the Chicago Fire at 7 p.m. ET.

Form

Chicago’s form is an enigma. They love mini-streaks. 3 losses, 3 wins, and now 2 losses. Hopefully this’ll be their third loss in a row, just for the sake of consistency.

Chicago have a quality-ish team. Harry Shipp, David Accam, and Shaun Maloney all have the individual firepower to take over a game, but often struggle to do so. Accam wreaked havoc down NYC’s right side against Brovsky last time they played, so expect NYC to be prepared for that.

Or they won’t. Whatever. NYC need to get their shit together, but I don’t expect anything from them at this point.

It’s kinda fun now though…When will NYC get a win? How long will we wait? This is exciting! In a depressing sort of way.

Lineups

Chicago (4-4-1-1): Johnson (GK), Jones (LB), Larentowicz (CB), Adailton (CB), Gehrig (RB), Accam (LM), Polster (CM), Ritter (CM), Shipp (RM), Maloney (CAM), Guly (ST)

-Accam returns from a game suspension and will be looking to get his team back to winning ways

NYC: (4-4-2): Saunders (GK), RJ Allen (LB), Wingert (CB), Hernandez (CB), Williams (RB), Jacobson (CM), Mix (CM), Grabavoy (LM), Shelton (RM), Mullins (ST), Villa (ST)

-Calle and Nemec are STILL fighting injuries. Nemec is looking near 100 percent and should make the bench.

-RJ Allen could keep his place after an assist in a lively performance again Red Bulls, but could be dropped for Brovsky/Calle.

-It’s likely Mix will get the start over Ballouchy, but expect him to be fighting to stay on the pitch after last weekend’s early sub.

Final Thoughts

Deep Dish sucks!

Actually, no it doesn’t, it’s just not legally pizza. It’s something else, a separate denomination of cheese-tomatosauce-bread dishes.

Point is, much like last weekend, all we’ve got for bragging rights is that New York is better than Chicago. And they’ve got worse pizza.

We are home. While that hasn’t mattered much this season, you’d hope we want this win more than Chicago. Or who knows.

Let’s go team!

NYCFC vs Chicago Fire: Preview

On Friday, April 24th at 8pm, NYCFC travel to Toyota Park to take on the Chicago Fire.

Form

Chicago haven’t played a game for over two weeks, and they will hope that doesn’t interfere with their good run of form.

After a dicey start to the season Chicago recorded back to back home wins against Philadelphia and Toronto. Granted, neither of those teams have necessarily lit up the MLS this season, but NYC lost and tied against Philly.

DP and former “free-kick-which-relegated-QPR” taker Shaun Maloney will look to bolster his strong partnership with Chicago native Harry Shipp as they take on a weak NYCFC side. If these two have a strong game together it could be a long night for NYC fans.

NYCFC are on a dismal run of form. Nothing is going right at the moment. Copious injuries, horrible finishing, losing at home, and just overall poor play. It is difficult to imagine NYCFC coming out of Chicago with anything more than 1 point, but then again, this is the MLS. Colorado Rapids did beat FC Dallas in Texas 4 nil. If that’s possible then I don’t rule anything out.

If NYC are to pull off an upset here, they’ll have to play to their potential, and then some.

Lineups

Chicago (4-2-3-1): Busch (GK), Jones (LB), Adailton (CB), Larentowicz (CB), Gehrig (RB), Stephens (CM), Polster (CM), Accam (LM), Maloney (CAM), Shipp (RM), Amarikwa (ST)

-Stephens is struggling with an injury and may be replaced by Chris Ritter

NYCFC (4-3-3): Saunders (GK), Calle (LB), Wingert (CB), Watson-Siriboe (CB), Brovsky (RB), Jacobson (CM), Ballouchy (CM), Grabavoy (CM), Velasquez (RM), Shelton (LM), Mullins (ST)

-David Villa did not train with the team on Wednesday, and looks a doubt. Mix Diskerud could make it back but also looks a doubt.

-Shay Facey is back in training and could get a spot on the bench. Defender Williams is an injury doubt.

-Jason Hernandez is still out, but likely will return for the Seattle game.

Final Thoughts

NYCFC will be looking for inspiration from an injury laden team on a poor run of form.

Kreis may opt to keep his formation, as it did result in the most shots NYC have taken this season. Although Mullins had a very solid game, he often drifted wide in order to pick up the ball and then would cross it into the centre, only for no one to be there. It might be worth hauling off a midfielder for Nemec so Mullins has someone to aim for.

While Chicago aren’t the strongest team in the league, their trio of Ghanian DP Accam, Scottish DP Maloney, and youth product Shipp will probably be too much for NYCFC to handle.

Tune in tomorrow on Univision or their live stream tomorrow at 8pm to find out.