Unbeaten in their last four outings, Chicago Fire FC takes the Club's streak on the road Saturday night for a first-ever meeting with 2022 expansion side Charlotte FC.
Last weekend, the Fire took a point at home from a 0-0 draw with Atlanta United at Soldier Field, having won their three matches prior. Head Coach Ezra Hendrickson and co. will hope to continue their ascent up the Eastern Conference standings tonight, as they enter the match just two points out of the seventh and final MLS Cup Playoff spot where Charlotte currently sits. The Queen City side has been strong at home in their debut campaign, going 8-3-0 at Bank of American Stadium.
Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. CT on on WGN, CF97 Live, Univision Radio, and MLS LIVE's out-of-market package on ESPN+.
Get the details on Hendrickson's starting XI and bench below:
- Three changes have been made to the lineup that drew with Atlanta United last weekend.
- Jonathan Bornstein returns to the starting XI for the first time since July 16 after previously being in health and safety protocols. Tonight's start marks the 200th MLS regular season appearance of Bornstein's career, dating back to his MLS Rookie of the Year campaign as a Chivas USA player in 2006. He replaces Rafael Czichos, who was a late scratch tonight due to health and safety protocols.
- Designated Player Gastón Giménez is back in the starting XI for the first time since leaving the Fire's July 16 match against Seattle with a first half injury. He'll replace Mauricio Pineda in deep-lying midfield alongside Federico Navarro, as Pineda slides back to join Bornstein in central defense.
- Kacper Przybyłko also returns to the starting XI this evening in place of Jhon Durán, making his 15th start and 20th appearance overall of his debut season with Chicago.
- Supporting Przybyłko in attack are Xherdan Shaqiri - who will wear the captain's armband tonight in place of Czichos - as well as Jairo Torres and Chris Mueller. The trio starts alongside one another in midfield for the second consecutive match.
- Rounding out the defensive back line are Miguel Navarro and Boris Sekulić, who will lineup opposite one another at full back.
- Following the announcement of his Club-record transfer agreement with Chelsea FC of the English Premier League, 18-year-old goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina backstops the squad tonight looking for his 11th clean sheet of the season.
- Available to Hendrickson as substitutions tonight are goalkeeper Spencer Richey, defender Kendall Burks, defender Andre Reynolds II, midfielder Javier Casas Jr., midfielder Brian Gutiérrez, forward Victor Bezerra, forward Fabian Herbers, and forward Jhon Durán.
- Defender Jhon Espinoza (right knee), defender Carlos Terán (right thigh), defender Rafael Czichos (health and safety protocols), midfielder Sergio Oregel (international duty), defender Wyatt Omsberg (left foot), and winger Stanislav Ivanov (right thigh) are unavailable for selection tonight.
Get a look at Charlotte's starting lineup below as it becomes available:
