Preseason is upon us. Chicago Fire FC will spend the next four weeks training in Florida and California before opening up the 2020 campaign in Seattle on March 1. Three weeks later, the Fire make their return to the heart of Chicago at Soldier Field.
As we look ahead to a brand new season, here's a quick preview for each of the Club's 34 regular season matches.
Sunday, March 1 at Seattle Sounders FC | 2 p.m. CT | ESPN
The Fire look to play spoiler and open the year with a statement win as the reigning champion Sounders raise their 2019 MLS Cup banner.
Saturday, March 7 at New England Revolution | 12:30 p.m. CT | ESPN+
From West Coast to East Coast, the Fire make a 3,000 mile trek to face Bruce Arena's side in the Revolution's home opener.
Saturday, March 14 at Orlando City SC | 6:30 p.m. CT | ESPN+
Chicago looks for a repeat performance from last October, when the Club closed out its 2019 campaign on Decision Day with a 5-2 victory at Exploria Stadium.
Saturday, March 21 vs. Atlanta United FC | 2:30 p.m. CT | Univision
A moment 15 years in the making, the Fire return to Soldier Field for their first MLS home game at the iconic Chicago venue since 2005.
Saturday, April 4 vs. New York Red Bulls | 1 p.m. CT | ESPN+
The Fire get their first crack at a new-look Red Bulls side after New York said goodbye to stalwarts Bradley Wright-Phillips and Luis Robles this offseason.
Sunday, April 12 at NYCFC | 11:30 a.m. CT | ESPN+
Although last year's Eastern Conference point-leaders have moved four home games to Shea Stadium in 2020, this early season clash will remain in the Bronx at Yankee Stadium.
Sunday, April 19 vs. Columbus Crew SC | 1 p.m. CT | ESPN+
The rival Crew visit Soldier Field with a new marquee Designated Player following the club's record signing of Argentine attacking midfielder Lucas Zelarayan from Liga MX side Tigres UANL.
Saturday, April 25 vs. LAFC | 2:30 p.m. CT | Univision
After earning a draw in Southern California last year, the Fire get their chance to host Carlos Vela and the defending Supporters' Shield winners when former Chicago manager Bob Bradley returns to Soldier Field - this time as the opposing boss.
Saturday, May 2 at FC Dallas | 7:30 p.m. CT | ESPN+
Chicago goes for a second consecutive Brimstone Cup win after taking back the rivalry trophy in emphatic fashion, 4-0, last September.
Saturday, May 9 vs. Inter Miami CF | 2 p.m. CT | ABC
One of two newcomers to the league in 2020, David Beckham's Inter Miami CF side features the likes of MLS veterans Román Torres, Luis Robles, and Juan Agudelo.
Saturday, May 16 at Montreal Impact | 12 p.m. CT | ESPN+
Thierry Henry is back in MLS, this time as a manager hoping to lead the Québec club back to the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
Saturday, May 23 vs. FC Cincinnati | 7 p.m. CT | ESPN+
Cincinnati made a splash this offseason by signing MLS' first-ever Japanese designated player in Yuya Kubo, who made the move to the U.S. from Belgian giants KAA Gent.
Wednesday, May 27 vs. Portland Timbers | 7 p.m. CT | ESPN+
2017 MLS MVP Diego Valeri re-signed this offseason with the Timbers, who also boosted their attacking corps by acquiring Colombian winger Yimmi Chara as a designated player.
Saturday, May 30 vs. New England Revolution | 7 p.m. CT | ESPN+
The Fire throttled the Revolution the last time New England came to the Windy City, winning by a 5-0 margin highlighted by Przemysław Frankowski's first MLS goal.
Saturday, June 13 at Columbus Crew SC | 6:30 p.m. CT | ESPN+
U.S. Men's National Team veteran Darlington Nagbe made the move to Columbus this winter, bolstering a squad that finished 2019 with only one loss in its last six matches.
Wednesday, June 17 at Toronto FC | 7 p.m. CT | ESPN+
Toronto and USMNT captain Michael Bradley will miss at least the first three months of the season after undergoing ankle surgery in January, but should be fit for this matchup of Eastern Conference foes.
Saturday, June 20 at Inter Miami CF | 7 p.m. CT | UniMás
The Fire make their first trip to South Florida and the newly built Inter Miami CF Stadium, which can fit 18,000 fans amid 30 acres of training facilities.
Saturday, June 27 vs. Orlando City SC | 7 p.m. CT | UniMás
Orlando enters 2020 with a new manager at the helm, former FC Dallas boss Óscar Pareja, who returns to MLS after a stint with Liga MX side Tijuana.
Sunday, July 5 vs. NYCFC | 6 p.m. CT | ESPN+
Speaking of new managers, the final coaching vacancy in MLS was filled by Ronny Deila, a 44-year-old Norwegian with title-winning experience both in his home country and in Scotland with Celtic.
Wednesday, July 8 vs. Philadelphia Union | 7 p.m. CT | ESPN+
After originally joining the club on loan from French side FC Metz at the beginning of March last season, Jamiro Monteiro made the move to Philadelphia a permanent one this winter with a club-record designated player deal.
Saturday, July 11 vs. DC United | 7 p.m. CT | ESPN+
Goodbye Wayne Rooney, hello Edison Flores. The 25-year-old Peru international winger signed a designated player deal with DC following a successful stint in Liga MX with Monarcas Morelia.
Saturday, July 18 at Colorado Rapids | 8 p.m. CT | ESPN+
USMNT legend Tim Howard called it a career last year, but the Rapids have reloaded with Danish midfielder Younes Namil, a No. 10 with seven Europa League and Champions League appearances.
Saturday, July 25 at FC Cincinnati | 6:30 p.m. CT | ESPN+
Last year's meeting in the Queen City ended in a scoreless draw despite the Fire outshooting the hosts 16-10.
Saturday, August 1 vs. Toronto FC | 7 p.m. CT | ESPN+
Jozy Altidore leads his side into Soldier Field, where he played in the Gold Cup final for the USMNT just a year ago.
Wednesday, August 5 vs. San Jose Earthquakes | 7 p.m. CT | ESPN+
Matias Almeyda returns for his second season in the Bay Area, hoping to lead the Earthquakes back to the playoffs after finishing just outside the postseason picture in eighth place a year ago.
Sunday, August 9 vs. LA Galaxy | 5:30 p.m. CT | FS1
Javier Chicharito Hernández, Mexico's all-time leading goal scorer, visits Chicago for the first time as an MLS player after a European career with stints at Manchester United, Real Madrid, and most recently, Sevilla.
Saturday, August 15 at New York Red Bulls | 6:30 p.m. CT | ESPN+
All-American center-back duo Aaron Long and Tim Parker give Red Bulls a formidable defense as New York vies for an 11th consecutive playoff season.
Saturday, August 22 at Minnesota United FC | 7 p.m. CT | ESPN+
Francisco Calvo returns to Minnesota, where he made 60 appearances for the Loons before being traded to the Fire in May of 2019.
Saturday, August 29 at Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 9 p.m. CT | ESPN+
Canadian international Lucas Cavallini has scored 11 times in 17 caps for his country and now will ply his trade in Vancouver after a transfer from Puebla of Liga MX this offseason.
Saturday, September 5 vs. Sporting KC | 2:30 p.m. CT | Univision
Sporting KC signed 28-year-old Mexican striker Alan Pulido as a designated player in December after he finished atop the Liga MX scoring charts with 12 goals for C.D. Guadalajara in the 2019 Apertura season.
Sunday, September 13 at DC United | 12 p.m. CT | ESPN
After helping Atlanta lift three trophies, Julian Gressel switches Eastern Conference colors in 2020, with DC making the blockbuster trade for the midfielder.
Saturday, September 19 at Atlanta United FC | 2:30 p.m. CT | Univision
The Fire look for a second win in three years at powerhouse Atlanta, which has won three trophies (the MLS Cup, the U.S. Open Cup, and the Campeones Cup) since 2018.
Saturday, September 25 vs. Montreal Impact | 7 p.m. CT | ESPN+
The reigning Canadian Cup champions got a boost late last season with the acquisition of former Barcelona player Bojan Krkić, who returns in 2020 for his first full campaign with Montreal.
Sunday, October 4 at Philadelphia Union | 3:30 p.m. CT | ESPN+
The Fire will be on the road for Decision Day 2020, hoping to close out the regular season with three points and a playoff berth.
