MLS is back at last, and with it comes the first starting XI of Chicago Fire FC head coach Raphael Wicky's tenure.
As they prepare to take on the Seattle Sounders at 2 p.m. CT on ESPN, get a look below at how the Fire will lineup at Centurylink Field this afternoon:
- Designated Player Robert BeriÄ and midfielders Ălvaro MedrĂĄn and Mauricio Pineda will each make their Fire debuts as part of Wicky's starting XI. Pineda will make his professional debut, after signing a Homegrown contract with the Club in January.
- Defender Francisco Calvo will wear the captain's armband today in his 24th appearance for the Fire.
- The Fire's longest tenured player, defender Johan Kappelhof makes his 125th appearance for the Club as part of Wicky's defensive back line.
- Djordje MihailoviÄ gets the start in midfield, making his 54th Fire appearance to begin his fourth season with the Club.
- Midfielder PrzemysĆaw Frankowski makes his 25th start for the Fire at the outset of his second season with Chicago.
- Calvo, Kappelhof, Jonathan Bornstein, and Brandt Bronico will anchor the Fire backline ahead of goalkeeper Kenneth Kronholm.
- Forward Fabian Herbers makes his eighth start for the Fire, helping lead the attack alongside BeriÄ.
- New signings Miguel Angel Navarro, Wyatt Omsberg, Nicholas Slonina, and Bobby Shuttleworth will be available for selection off the bench as part of Wicky's 18-man roster.
- Forward CJ Sapong is listed as out for today's match (chest injury).
Get a look at both side's starting lineups in the graphics below:
