Preview: Orlando City vs. Fire
Orlando City SC (9-14-10, 11th in East) vs. Chicago Fire (9-12-12, 8th in East)
With both teams not going to the playoffs, both teams are simply playing to go out on a high. The Lions enter this one winless in their last seven and will finish 11th in the East if they fail to win. The Fire couldn’t find the wins when they mattered and are looking for just their second road win of the year (1-10-5). The Fire will finish 11th if they lose and both Columbus (at Toronto) and Montreal (home to Red Bulls) get at least a point in their games.
This may be the last time we see Bastian Schweinsteiger, Nemanja Nikolic, and Aleksandar Katai in Fire shirts. Schweinsteiger and Nikolic are in the final year of their respective contracts while there is a club option on Katai. Nico Gaitan would become a designated player if he decides to return. There is also a club option on Dax McCarty.
The game itself might well be secondary to what will happen after the final whistle for both sides, particularly for the Fire under new owner Joe Mansueto. Veljko Paunovic has one more year on his contract while it is believed president and general manager Nelson Rodriguez has one year on his.
The Fire are expected to make their move to Soldier Field official on Tuesday. The follow-up question will be who will be around for the return in 2020.
Kickoff for the match is at 3pm CT on ESPN+.
INJURIES:
ORLANDO CITY SC:
OUT: Joao Moutinho (D) – calf injury
QUESTIONABLE: Cristian Higuita (M) – adductor injury
CHICAGO FIRE:
QUESTIONABLE: Jonathan Bornstein (D) – back injury
Referee: Pierre-Luc Lauziere
Assistant Referees: Oscar Mitchell-Carvalho, Jose Da Silva
4th Official: Chris Penso
VAR: Kevin Terry Jr.
THIS YEAR:
3/09/19: CHI 1-1 ORL
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