2020 Outlook
After a packed preseason which features six games in the space of three weeks, the Chicago Fire get their 2020 MLS term underway with the toughest test of them all, a trip to the reigning MLS Cup champions, the Seattle Sounders. That is then followed with a continued away run, facing the New England Revolution and Orlando City prior to their home opener.
Their first two home games are against 2018 MLS Cup champions Atlanta United and the effervescent New York Red Bulls. Chicago welcome new-boys Inter Miami CF to Sodlier Field in early May, in one of the only times during the season where the club has a one-off home game. For the majority of the campaign, the Fire will play in short runs of either home or road matches.
Due to the changes in the way the scheduled is decided, the club will not face off against Houston, Real Salt Lake or new-comers Nashville SC over the course of the 2020 season.
Chicago will end their regular season on Decision Day with a clash in Philadelphia. It ends a tough closing period to the campaign in which they will play five playoff teams in the final six weeks of the season, the Union, Atlanta United, D.C. United, Minnesota United and the Red Bulls.
With the quality the club has lost this offseason, and with the tumultuousness of a new head coach inheriting an already lacking squad, the Chicago Fire could struggle to fight for a playoff berth in 2020. A couple more new faces are needed if they are to challenge for a top-seven spot in the East.