Chicago Fire Welcome Toronto FC to Toyota Park Saturday

A pair of clubs each sitting on three points square off Saturday with plans to improve their standing in the table, with Toronto FC visiting the Chicago Fire at Toyota Park.

Pregame coverage begins at 1:30 p.m. CT with the CSN Chicago pregame show hosted by Dan Kelly, Kevin Egan and Danielle Slaton, followed by kickoff at 2 p.m. A Spanish language radio broadcast also will be available courtesy of ESPN Deportes 97.5 FM in Chicago.

Tickets are available online until 11 a.m. CT Saturday and may also be purchased on match day at Toyota Park.

WHO’S IN, WHO’S OUT

• The Fire were successful in securing their first three points of the season last Sunday vs. Philadelphia despite two of their Designated Players -- midfielders Shaun Maloney (Scotland) and David Accam (Ghana) -- being away on international duty. Their opponent, however, suffered a gut-wrenching 2-1 defeat at Real Salt Lake with the likes of Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore each fulfilling their duties with the U.S. National Team.

Yallop, who turns 51 on Saturday, welcomes both back into the fold this week, with Maloney returning to training Wednesday and Accam a day later.

"I'm now settling in, I don't think there will be any more travels soon so I'm happy to be back," Accam said Friday. "I think I'm in good condition now, I just need to get 90 minutes in but at the moment I'm feeling good and hopefully I get the start [Saturday]."

Although he's been on the pitch for just 45 minutes thus far in the regular season, Accam has liked what he has seen and experienced in his new league. 

"I've been really impressed, there are a lot of qualities to this league," he said. "What you hear from outside is different from when you come in. From my first game in San Jose, it's been different. The speed, the quality, it's been really impressive."

The opportunity for both Maloney and Accam to feature in the Starting XI for the first time leaves Yallop with selection decisions that may have ripple effects on the likes of Joevin Jones, Michael Stephens, and others who produced strong performances against the Union.

• Following training on Thursday, however, Yallop indicated the Fire could be without goalkeeper Sean Johnson due to an eye injury suffered in Wednesday’s training. Johnson’s absence would mean a second start in three home matches this season for the veteran Jon Busch, who made his 297th MLS start in a 1-0 loss to Vancouver Whitecaps FC on March 14.

• As reported earlier in the week, a Fire midfield that dictated play against the Union continues to add parts, including recent acquisition Victor Perez on loan. The 27-year-old Spaniard trained throughout the week as he builds match fitness and could feature in the 18 for the Men In Red on the weekend.

Also sighted at recent training sessions was the full participation of Razvan Cocis, who has been working his way back from a foot injury suffered late in preseason training. Cocis' defensive midfield position has been ably filled of late by rookie Matt Polster.

CHICAGO FIRE VS. TORONTO FC
• The Chicago Fire are aiming to make it 10 matches in a row without a loss at Toyota Park against Toronto FC. The Fire are 4-0-5 all-time at home against Toronto FC with a 12-7 goal differential. The Canadian side first entered MLS as an expansion team in 2007.

• In addition to their home unbeaten streak against Toronto FC, Chicago will put an 11-game stretch overall on the line when the two teams meet Saturday. Chicago has not lost to Toronto FC since May 8, 2010, a 4-1 result at BMO Field. The 11-game unbeaten streak, during which the Fire are 5-0-6, is the third-longest active mark in MLS:

• Fire defender Lovel Palmer had one goal and one assist in his inaugural campaign with the club in 2014, both of which came in separate matches against Toronto FC. Palmer had the game-tying assist in the 90th minute at BMO Field on Aug. 23, a 2-2 affair, and then scored the first in a 2-2 draw on Sept. 13 at Toyota Park.

• A wild finish at Rio Tinto Stadium last week saw Toronto FC fall by a 2-1 margin to Real Salt Lake. Greg Vanney’s side notched an 88th-minute equalizer courtesy of midfielder Jackson, only to see Javier Morales find Jordan Allen for a game-winning header just a minute later.

• The loss came with Toronto FC stars Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley fulfilling their international duties for the U.S. Men’s National Team, and starting defender Justin Morrow serving a one-game suspension for a prior red card. All three are expected back for Saturday, rejoining Italian playmaker Sebastian Giovinco in the side.

• Toronto FC is in the midst of a seven-game road tour while BMO Field undergoes renovations.