Chicago Fire vs. Seattle Sounders: Preview and How to Watch

After a tough road stretch the Chicago Fire return to their friendly home stadium, as they welcome in the MLS Champion Seattle Sounders Saturday night.

Both clubs are coming off of disappointing week ten matches. The Chicago Fire looked set to pick up their first road victory of 2017, leading the LA Galaxy 2-0 after just 16 minutes. LA turned on the switch in the second half, storming back for a 2-2 draw and leaving Chicago with just two points from five matches on the road.

The Seattle Sounders had a spotlight game last weekend, hosting Toronto FC in a rematch of last year’s title game on ESPN. Both sides had multiple chances, but only a Jozy Altidore PK could separate them. Chicago and Seattle sit in the middle of their respective conferences tables and need the three points on Saturday to restart any prior momentum.

Chicago Fire

• Current Record: 3W-3L-3T
• Last Time Out: 2-2 Draw on the road against the LA Galaxy
• Player To Watch For: Nemanja Nikolić
• Why They Win: They are at home. The Fire have won three of their four home matches in 2017, and are outscoring opponents eight to two at Toyota Park. Wanting to start the match strong and in front of a hopefully growing crowd, jump out to a early lead on the Sounders. They haven’t failed to score since the 4-0, red-card debacle in Atlanta, and will look to create yet another attacking game, hoping that the Seattle offense is still in neutral.
• Why They Won’t: Seattle recall how to effectively utilize their new formation with Bruin up top and Morris out on the wing. The last time they were on the road they rolled past the Galaxy 3-0 after making that switch and have the players to repeat the performance in Chicago. The Fire’s defense is their weakest element and an early goal from the Sounders could see them roll towards a multiple goal game.
• Predicted Starting XI:

Seattle Sounders

• Current Record: 2W-3L-4D
• Last Time Out: 1-0 Loss to Toronto FC at home.
• Player To Watch For: Joevin Jones. Over the last 12 months Joevin Jones has become one of the best left back’s in the league and a crucial part of the Sounders attack. His assists fueled their run during the 2016 playoffs, and currently leads the team with five already this season. Look for Jones to press forward, overlapping Morris throughout the match and sending in crosses for Dempsey and Bruin.
• Why They Win: The left side of the pitch for Seattle creates havoc on the Fire’s defense. Accam isn’t known for defending, giving Morris and Jones the advantage to team up on Vincent and pull the Chicago defense out of position. An open match resurfaces the form Seattle showed in LA and the Sounders attack wins the match.
• Why They Won’t: The Fire clog up the middle of the field and control possession at home. The Sounders never get into a flow offensively and eventually fall to the Schweinsteiger / Nikolic combination. The Seattle backline switches yet again, and even with quality players starting, the cohesiveness isn’t there yet.
• Predicted Starting XI:

Prediction:

Next: MLS Attendance: Week 10 figures and 2017 update

How To Watch

Where: Toyota Park
When: Saturday, May 13, 9:00 p.m. ET
Channel: ESPN2, MLS LIVE, ESPN Deportes