MLS Weekend Predictions: July 19

Chicago Fire (3-4-10, 8th Eastern) vs. Philadelphia Union (5-8-7, 6th Eastern) 

Chicago Fire manager Frank Yallop will be hoping that he can continue to help his club turn draws into wins as after a first half of 2014 full of single point results, the Fire desperately need to get a string of three point results to get back into the crowded Eastern Conference playoff race as they are presented with a huge chance at catching up with the Union on Saturday.

As mentioned before the Union will be coming into Saturday on the high of a massive victory over the Red Bulls at home in which Philadelphia exploited the unorganized New York back line early in both halves before scoring a penalty late on to secure a 3-1 defeat, but will need a result on Saturday to prevent the Fire from catching up to them in the table with Chicago holding a couple games at hand.

Yallop finally seems to have the Fire playing a winning style of late as Chicago has experienced both success in the league as well as the US Open Cup after early season struggles, a script that also fits the Union as this match is a battle between two clubs who will be playing in the 2014 USOC semifinals but both would likely prefer an MLS Playoff spot as this match could go a long way in determining the course of the seasons of both the Fire and Union.

Expect a cagey affair between the two with both clubs needing points to continue climbing up the table, but based on the 17 draws combined between the two in the first half of the season this another match that screams draw unless one club can take over the match. If it will be anybody it should be the Fire, who are rested and have had some good form of late thanks to Quincy Amarikwa. Just don’t be surprised if you see these two clubs splitting the points after 90 minutes.

Prediction: Draw