MLS Regular Season | Match #29
New England Revolution at Chicago Fire FC
Saturday, September 23 | 8:30 p.m. ET
Soldier Field | Chicago, Illinois
Watch: FREE on Apple TV
English Talent: Erik Krakauer (Play-by-Play), Lloyd Sam (Analyst)
Spanish Talent: Moises Linares (Play-by-Play), Luis Gerardo Bucci (Analyst)
Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub (English); 1260 AM Nossa Radio (Portuguese)
Radio Talent: Brad Feldman (Play-by-Play), Charlie Davies (Analyst)
CURRENT FORM
New England Revolution
5th in Eastern Conference (13-6-9, 48 pts.)
Last Result | 2-1 loss at Colorado Rapids
The New England Revolution have sights set on securing an Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoff place in this weekend’s trip to Chicago Fire FC. In the final leg of a three-game road stretch, the Revs can clinch a postseason spot with a win or draw at Soldier Field, setting the squad back on track after a frustrating period of results. Last-gasp draws with Austin FC and Minnesota United FC were followed by a 2-1 defeat at the Colorado Rapids last time out, and the team are looking to bounce back with a crucial three points. Having dropped to fifth place in the Eastern Conference (though with a game in hand on three of the top four), the Revolution are targeting homefield advantage in the playoffs, standing as the only side in MLS to remain unbeaten on their own turf in 2023. However, last victorious on the road in May against Toronto FC, New England (under interim head coach Clint Peay’s stewardship) will look to sharpen up at both ends of the pitch in their final six games – with three of those fixtures to be hosted at Gillette Stadium – eager to mount a strong bid for silverware.
PLAYOFF-CLINCHING SCENARIOS
New England Revolution will secure an Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs berth with:
1. New England Revolution WIN/DRAW at Chicago Fire FC OR
2. D.C. United LOSS/DRAW vs. New York Red Bulls
Chicago Fire FC
11th in Eastern Conference (8-12-9, 33 pts.)
Last Result | 3-0 loss at Columbus Crew
Currently three points shy of the playoff line, Chicago Fire FC are hoping to kickstart their season following a difficult run. Heading into Saturday’s game on the back of a 3-0 defeat at the Columbus Crew (which saw star man Xherdan Shaqiri sent off and consequently suspended for the Revs’ visit), the Illinois outfit were last victorious in July, defeating Toronto FC 1-0 in MLS action before edging a five-goal Leagues Cup thriller against Minnesota United FC. Winless in their last eight games in all competitions (with just one goal scored in their last seven), they have shipped the second-most goals in the Eastern Conference this term (45) and third-most leaguewide. With just five regular season matches to go, the Fire are looking to reignite their campaign in a bid to claim a postseason place. Chicago have only lost three times at Soldier Field in league play in 2023 (5-3-6) but have fallen to defeat in their last three home games, and will look to rebuild their fortress for the Revs’ visit to the Windy City.
HEAD-TO-HEAD HISTORY
Saturday’s showdown at Soldier Field marks the 90th competitive meeting between the two sides, as the series edges closer to its century encounter. New England have won 33 and drawn 19 of the previous fixtures, and are unbeaten in the last nine (3-0-6). The last four games have ended in stalemate – most recently, a topsy-turvy 3-3 draw in May, in which the Revs battled back from two goals down and then 3-2 down to earn a tie late on in Foxborough. The Revolution are also undefeated in four visits to Chicago, triumphant in two of those trips.
Overall Record vs. Chicago: 33-37-19
Away Record vs. Chicago: 8-25-11
Last meeting at Gillette Stadium: Revs 3, Fire 3 (May 27, 2023)
Last meeting in Chicago: Revs 1, Fire 1 (October 9, 2022)
KEY PLAYERS
Revolution defender Omar González
With New England having endured a tough time with injuries across the back line in recent weeks, González has stepped into the fold, playing every minute of the last five games. The veteran defender, who boasts a wealth of experience (including a hat trick of MLS Cup successes), clocked his 300th appearance in regular and postseason action in last weekend’s trip to the Colorado Rapids, marking the occasion with his first goal for the club – an injury-time header. After helping the Revolution to a clean sheet against the New York Red Bulls in his second appearance back in the starting XI, he was then named on the MLS Team of the Matchday bench for a solid performance in the 1-1 draw at Minnesota United. Speaking after the win over the Red Bulls, he expressed his delight to be back in action, declaring he prides himself on keeping clean sheets. Though his goal in Colorado demonstrated his attacking threat and aerial ability, the towering 6-foot-5 center back will certainly be striving for another shutout in Chicago to boost the Revs’ chances of three points.
Fire goalkeeper Chris Brady
With Chicago having struggled at the sharp end of the pitch in a torrid run of form since Leagues Cup began, it has been a difficult job for the defense to try and keep the club’s playoff hopes alive. Prior to the midseason tournament, the Illinois outfit had kept four clean sheets in five games (on a run of five wins in six), and though they have shipped 14 goals since regular season action resumed, a star performance from their goalkeeper against CF Montréal last weekend preserved a precious point to spark a glimmer of hope. Just 19 years old, the Homegrown shot-stopper (who made his MLS debut against the Revolution last year) has notched 84 saves in his 25 MLS starts this term. He recorded his career-high seventh clean sheet of the campaign – the second-highest return for a Fire goalkeeper in the last six seasons – with a string of excellent stops at Stade Saputo. His influential display earned praise from head coach Frank Klopas, as well as an inclusion in the MLS Team of the Matchday. A USMNT youth international, Brady played a key role in helping his country to the 2022 Concacaf Under-20 Championship, claiming the Golden Glove award, and will hope to produce another crucial contribution against the fourth-highest scorers in the East to aid his side’s postseason push.
STATUS REPORT
New England Revolution
New goalkeeper Tomáš Vaclík has joined up with the squad after receiving international clearance, though interim head coach Clint Peay admits the game could arrive too soon for the shot-stopper’s involvement. Elsewhere, Matt Polster could return after serving a suspension for yellow card accumulation against Colorado, and Maciel made his long-awaited comeback for Revs II on Sunday afternoon following an Achilles injury. Gustavo Bou (leg) and Henry Kessler (hamstring) are continuing to make progress on the training pitch, but Brandon Bye (ACL) and Dylan Borrero (knee) remain unavailable.
Chicago Fire FC
Xherdan Shaqiri is suspended for the game following his red card in Wednesday night’s defeat to the Columbus Crew, while Arnaud Souquet will also miss out due to yellow card accumulation. Kacper Przybylko, Jonathan Dean and Carlos Teran all returned to action in the game in Ohio but Mauricio Pineda and Rafael Czichos were withdrawn with knocks. Federico Navarro has also missed the last two matches with a leg injury, while Chris Mueller (right leg), Javier Casas (right leg) and Victor Bezerra (right leg) are long-term absentees.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
Revolution interim head coach Clint Peay on the team’s mindset after Saturday’s loss to the Rapids:
“Good, obviously disappointed with the results as anyone would be, but I think that they recognize the collective and individual errors that were made in the game and they own it, and I think they're ready to move forward and keep pushing. There’s a lot of talent, the qualities of the players, the experience of the players. You think we’ll win the day. I think there's been obviously a tremendous amount of distractions, which can wear on the minds of players, but I think at the end of the day, they’re focused. They want to be successful and they’re hungry to work and commit to that. Everyone’s been really good in training. Attitudes have been great and the guys have been working hard and working together well. Physically they’re fine, no issues there.”
On Chicago Fire FC and the importance of finishing near the top of the standings to host playoff games:
“They're at home, and they still have a lot to play for. They’re right in the hunt still so I suspect that they’re going to still want to go for it. I don’t think their identity changes too much from what we’ve seen, it’s just personnel. I think they’re going to try to be hard to play against and make it difficult for us in terms of how we build up the game. They’re very good in transition so I suspect they want to take advantage of that.
“Every point matters. We know that and our intention is to get maximum points every game. As I said before, it's a tight race. Max three points is critical for all the teams. We are all fighting for that, so I don't think it's any different for us. We don’t suspect that it's going to be an easy game. They’re not going to give us the points, but we understand we have to go there, and it’s a road game for us, so we have to go there and earn it.”
On having a full week of training with the team, his coaching style and ideas he’s looking to implement:
“It’s been good. We’ve been able to introduce some ideas, and the guys have been really good with receiving those ideas. It’s just nice to be able to do it on the field with a full week, explore it a little bit and get some feedback from the players. It’s been a really good week so far.
“I think first and foremost, it's a collective idea and identity where people are working together on both sides of the ball, clear roles, understanding the responsibilities, and an intensity and urgency about how we play so that we can be successful going forward, but also defend responsibly.”
On the addition of Tab Ramos to the staff as an assistant coach:
“Obviously [there’s] a tremendous amount of experience with Tab. He knows the ins and outs of MLS and so I think he can be valuable in that regard. And just as a player, he's been there on the field – he understands what the players go through, so he can connect with them also emotionally in terms of dealing with a new coach and the struggles of what they’re going through. I think he’ll be valuable in that regard.”
On whether he has a sense of his best starting XI:
“We’ve got a lot of depth. I think there are some guys that can be interchangeable in that [starting] XI, but I don’t think there’s going to be big changes from what we’ve seen over the last few weeks in terms of the starting XI. I just think that at the end of the day, depending on the opponent, we just have to make the best decisions for what’s going to make sense. There are some midweek games coming up so the idea of resting and rotating players if it makes sense – to keep everyone fresh – will be something that we have to consider.”
Revolution defender DeJuan Jones on the vibes in the locker room and Chicago Fire FC:
“The vibes are good. Tough loss there [at Colorado], but we're staying positive and we're getting ready for the next game. We need to get some momentum heading into playoffs, so we’re looking forward to the next game.
“We know [Chicago] are in the East and it's a big game for us. They're pushing for the playoffs, like they are every year, so going down there is going to be a tough game, but we're excited for that challenge.”
On mounting a run to close the regular season and fighting for homefield advantage in the playoffs:
“It starts in practice. This week, we're going to be really focused. [Tuesday] was a really good session to start the week and we've just got to build momentum, get that win, and I think we'll start going from there. That’s what we're pushing for – a home playoff game – and to host one of the series. So again, we've got to finish top four. It's really competitive, so we've got to start getting results.”
On playing under Clint Peay:
“The guys are good. Guys are adapting to what he's saying, and he's given us really good, new ideas. Guys are excited. It's a new opportunity, a new coach, so different guys can get minutes. Everyone's really putting it in hard this week in training and we’ll see what the lineup this weekend, but it’s going to be really competitive to get into the team.”
On the arrival of Tomáš Vaclík:
“It's good. We signed him and he's finally here. We're excited to see what he brings. We hear he's a good goalkeeper, so we're excited to see what he can do for us.”
Revolution midfielder Nacho Gil on how the team is approaching Saturday’s game:
“We feel good. In the end, what we need to do is forget about that loss quickly and focus on Chicago and the next three points, which is what’s important now.”
On the team’s potential:
“I think it’s what we’ve shown all year. We’ve been in second place for the majority of the year. We’re in a down moment right now, but this team is capable of finishing as high as we can and fighting for MLS [Cup], which is what we want.”
On how he feels physically after returning to play:
“I feel good. Every week, I’m feeling better. It had been a long time for me without playing. My last game had been against Chicago over there [last season]. Little by little, I’m feeling better. I want to be there for the team and help in any way I can.”
On how Carles Gil has led the team in recent weeks:
“In the end, Carles has been very good, as has the rest of the team. It’s been a very complicated situation for us, with the [winless] streak, but I think the team has cleaned our heads. We need to think about Chicago and the games that remain.”
On his impressions of Clint Peay and Marcelo Santos:
“It’s been good. We’ve been together for little time. Little by little, they’ll begin to implement their ideas. We’re here for whatever they need. They bring a lot of energy to the team, as do we. We’re here to give our best effort, because there are few games left and we have to push.”
