Chicago Fire

Saturday’s match has an afternoon kickoff, a rarity that required the Fire to adjust to the schedule.
The team’s new designated player hasn’t been a factor so far, but that hasn’t been his fault.
The Fire look good in their new kits, but they’re still winless after 2-1 loss.
For the first time since Sept. 29, 2019, the Fire will be in their traditional color when they host FC Cincinnati.
The friendlies are part of the team’s preparation for Copa America.
They couldn’t hold a late one-goal lead, allowing the Union’s Daniel Gazdag to score in the third minute of second-half stoppage time in a 2-2 draw.
By any metric, the Fire had a productive offseason, but they know they won’t be awarded any trophies for doing well in the transfer market.
Chicago opens the MLS season at Philadelphia on Feb. 24. The home opener vs. FC Cincinnati will be March 2.
Lionel Messi won the men’s Ballon d’Or for a record-extending eighth time.
A Chicago native, Lindau will be part of the U.S. Men’s Cerebral Palsy National Team that will play at the Parapan American Games next month in Santiago, Chile.
Before owner Joe Mansueto took over, the Fire were lagging behind their peers. They have a chance to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2017.
Messi earns more than the entire payroll of all but three other MLS teams. He has the highest total compensation in MLS, followed by Toronto’s Lorenzo Insigne at $15.4 million and the Fire’s Xherdan Shaqiri at $8,153,000.
What happened in their match against Charlotte is more proof that continuity isn’t the answer for the Fire.
Messi entered in the 55th minute and went scoreless for the fourth straight league game.
To truly build off Wednesday and turn many of the night’s customers into fans, postseason bids cannot be a rare occurrence for the Fire.
Messi fue excluido por Miami debido a una persistente lesión en la pierna, pero Soldier Field se llenó prácticamente en su totalidad aún sin la leyenda del fútbol.
Messi was ruled out by Miami due to a lingering leg injury, but Soldier Field was still mostly filled even without the soccer legend.
The Fire are offering discounts for 2024 tickets to fans attending Wednesday’s match, regardless of whether the injured Lionel Messi plays.
Messi joining MLS has been a boon for the league and could lead to looser roster rules that could help the Fire capitalize on Joe Mansueto’s wealth.
But an injury puts an appearance at Soldier Field next week in doubt.
The Fire have been outscored 11-1 in their last four games and look nothing like the team that surged into playoff contention before the Leagues Cup.