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Toronto FC vs. Chicago Fire: Preview and How to Watch

By James Grinder

Feb 25, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA;Toronto FC forward Jozy Altidore (17) and Chicago Fire midfielder Juninho (10) look to control the ball during the 2017 Rowdies Suncoast Invitational at Al Lang Field. The Chicago Fire defeated Toronto FC 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA;Toronto FC forward Jozy Altidore (17) and Chicago Fire midfielder Juninho (10) look to control the ball during the 2017 Rowdies Suncoast Invitational at Al Lang Field. The Chicago Fire defeated Toronto FC 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports /
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An in-form Chicago Fire visit a floundering Toronto FC in a Friday night MLS clash.

Chicago Fire are sitting pretty at third in the Eastern Conference, while Toronto are languishing in ninth place. Surely some soccer deity has swapped these two clubs abilities in some bizzaro-world ritual.

Chicago Fire enter the match on a two game winning streak. They’ve looked like a tough out so far, scratching back to tie Montreal in the dying embers and gutting out a 1-0 win over a solid Columbus squad. Last weekend, they pulverized New England 3-0.

Toronto, meanwhile, find themselves in something close to a must-win game. Winless in their last three matches, Toronto fans are starting to eye the panic button.

Chicago Fire

Apr 15, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Fire midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger (right) celebrates his goal with defender Michael Harrington (left) in the first half against the New England Revolution at Toyota Park. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Fire midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger (right) celebrates his goal with defender Michael Harrington (left) in the first half against the New England Revolution at Toyota Park. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /
  • Current Record: (W-L-D) 3-1-2 (312! That’s the the Chicago area code!)
  • Last Time Out: 3-0 win at home against the New England Revolution
  • Player to Watch For: Bastian Schweinsteiger. Basti arrived in MLS ready to play. Scoring two goals in three games has been an unexpected boon to his production as he was brought in to create assists.
  • Why They Win: Midfield Monsters of Midway. The three man midfield that was initially questioned by almost every MLS pundit has proven to be the lynchpin to a now-formidable Chicago Fire team.
  • Why They Won’t: Defensive doubts. While the defense has been decidedly tidy this year, especially through their ability to deny shots, there are still some lingering doubts of its long term viability. RB Michael Harrington and GK Jorge Bava are currently battling it out for the most ineffective starter, with Bava looking the more incompetent player of the two.
  • Predicted Starting XI:

Toronto FC

Apr 15, 2017; Columbus, OH, USA; Toronto FC forward Sebastian Giovinco (10) kicks a free kick in the first half of the match against the Columbus Crew SC at MAPFRE Stadium. Columbus Crew SC beat Toronto FC 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2017; Columbus, OH, USA; Toronto FC forward Sebastian Giovinco (10) kicks a free kick in the first half of the match against the Columbus Crew SC at MAPFRE Stadium. Columbus Crew SC beat Toronto FC 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
  • Current Record: (W-L-D) 1-1-4
  • Last Time Out: 2-1 loss at Columbus Crew
  • Player to Watch For: Giovinco is always an MLS MVP candidate. Early days of this season, however, find Seba stuck in a bit of a malaise. The amount of fun he used to display seems to have left his spirit. Winning at home should restore his demeanor.
  • Why They Win: Offense. These guys usually can score goals. When they do, they win. Between Alitidore and Giovinco, Toronto boasts some of the best attackers in the MLS.
  • Why They Won’t: Defensive effort. Toronto cannot maintain a lead to save their lives, managing to hold the lead for a dismal total of 35 minutes this season over six games.  
  • Predicted Starting XI: They will keep the same starting XI from the Columbus match:

Score Prediction:

Next: MLS Playoffs: What if the season ended today? (Week 7)

How to Watch:

Where: BMO Field

When: Friday, April 21, 6:30 CT

Channel: MLS Live (Local Blackout Lifted), COZI TV, CSN2+, TSN4/5

Radio: WRTO 1200AM (Spanish, Webstream link)

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