The Chicago Fire can end a lengthy winless run at Subaru Park when they open their MLS campaign by visiting the Philadelphia Union on Saturday.
Philly exited the 2023 domestic campaign with a 1-0 defeat versus FC Cincinnati in the second round of the playoffs, while Chicago finished third from bottom in the Eastern Conference with 40 points.
Match preview
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By all accounts, 2023 was a let-down for the Union, who were minutes away from capturing their first MLS Cup in 2022 while being knocked in the second round of the post-season the last time out, their earliest exit since 2020 (first round).
One thing Jim Curtin will be able to count upon once again this year is some solid continuity within this group, with the core of this team still intact.
Last year, the Union finished the regular season with 55 points, a dozen fewer than in 2022, while conceding 41 goals over the previous campaign, the most for this club in a single season since 2019 (50).
The Boys in Blue have not missed the MLS Cup playoffs since 2017 and have not finished outside of the top four in the Eastern Conference since 2018 (sixth).
While the Union have been among the MLS Cup contenders over the past few seasons, there is a belief that their window of opportunity could soon be closing, raising the sense of urgency in 2024.
They have won eight of their last nine regular season home contests against the Fire, blanking them 1-0 in this exact fixture last year.
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Having missed the playoffs on six successive occasions, the hope for the Chicago Fire is that things can only go up from here.
In 2023, they were near the bottom in virtually every chance creation metric, and time will tell if they can improve in that department this season.
Frank Klopas was named the full-time head coach in the off-season despite his side winning just two of their final 11 regular season fixtures in 2023.
Chicago suffered 10 domestic defeats away from home last season, the third-most in the Eastern Conference behind Inter Miami (12) and CF Montreal (13).
Not since 2009 have the Fire won their opening MLS fixture (3-1 over Dallas), claiming a single point in their last three season openers.
It has been over a decade since this side last claimed three points in a regular season fixture at Subaru Park, defeating the Union 2-1 during the 2013 domestic campaign.
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Team News
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Leon Flach is questionable for the Union after tearing a muscle at the start of February, while Jakob Glesnes injured his core.
They made a few minor moves during the off-season, signing Sanders Ngabo from Lyngby in Denmark, while re-signing Kai Wagner and Alejandro Bedoya.
Andres Perea is out, signing a permanent deal with New York City FC, while Brandan Craig will spend the year on loan at El Paso Locomotive in the United Soccer League (USL).
Chris Mueller and Victor Bezerra missed a good portion of last season for the Chicago Fire with hip and leg injuries, respectively.
Tobias Salquist joins the Fire from the Danish Superliga, Andrew Gutman is back in his home state, Hugo Cuypers will be counted upon to score, coming from Gent in the Belgian Pro League for a reported $12m (£9.5m), while Kellyn Acosta will add some championship pedigree to this squad.
The club mutually terminated the contract of Jairo Torres, traded Miguel Navarro to the Colorado Rapids, while Kei Kamara was not offered a new deal and Ousmane Doumbia moved to FC Lugano in Switzerland.
Philadelphia Union possible starting lineup:
Blake; Harriel, Mbaizo, Elliott, Wagner; Martinez; Bedoya, McGlynn; Uhre, Gazdag, Carranza
Chicago Fire possible starting lineup:
Brady; Arigoni, Salquist, Czichos, Gutman; Navarro, Acosta; Shaqiri, Gutierrez, Haile-Selassie; Cuypers
We say: Philadelphia Union 1-0 Chicago Fire
There are too many unknowns in Chicago right now, so we are going with the Union, who have been among the most consistent MLS sides in the regular season.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
