Chicago kicked off Leagues Cup 2023 action with a come-from-behind 3-2 win against Minnesota United at Allianz Field. Now the Fire return to the Windy City looking for the top spot in group Central 2, facing Liga MX side Club Puebla.
A win or tie would cement the top spot in the group and advancement to the Round of 32, where they would join the already-qualified Minnesota.
Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. CT at SeatGeek Stadium and the match will be broadcast on Apple TV and FS1; and transmitted locally in Spanish on TUDN 1200 AM.
Learn more about tonight’s starters in the lineup notes below:
- Chicago Fire FC Head Coach Frank Klopas has made four changes to the starting XI that earned three points against Minnesota United on July 27 at Allianz Field..
- Defenders Mauricio Pineda and Alonso Aceves return to the backline from the outset. Pineda entered the previous match, against Minnesota, at midfield and less than 10 minutes after taking the field delivered the game-winning assist to forward Kei Kamara.
- Arnaud Souquet and Carlos Terán start for the second-straight match.
- Ivorian midfielder Ousmane Doumbia makes his first start in a Fire shirt. The skillful midfielder played his first minutes for the Chicago Fire against Minnesota after joining the team from sister club FC Lugano earlier this month.
- Doumbia joins Gastón Giménez at midfield. Tonight marks Giménez’s 10th straight start of 2023 across all competitions.
- Fabian Herbers makes his eighth consecutive start for the Fire, and second-straight in Leagues Cup 2023.
- Xherdan Shaqiri will don the captain’s armband against Puebla.
- Winger Maren Haile-Selassie makes his fifth-straight start across all competitions.
- Greek striker Georgios Koutsias returns to lead the attack from the opening whistle.
- Goalkeeper Chris Brady returns to the net for his first taste of Leagues Cup 2023 action.
- Leagues Cup 2023 regulations allow for 23 players on a matchday roster. Available off the bench for head coach Frank Klopas are goalkeepers Jeff Gal and Spencer Richey, defenders Kendall Burks, Rafael Czichos, Jonathan Dean and Miguel Navarro; midfielders Brian Gutiérrez, Alex Monis, Federico Navarro; and forwards Georgios Koutsias, Kacper Przybyłko and Missael Rodríguez.
- Defender Justin Reynolds (illness); and midfielders Javier Casas Jr. (right upper arm) and Chris Mueller (right upper leg) will not be available for tonight’s match.
See Puebla’s lineup below as it becomes available:
