Chicago Fire: 5 bold predictions for 2020
By Adnan Bašić
1. A playoff game at Soldier Field
For all intents and purposes, the expectation is that the Chicago Fire will be fighting for a postseason spot come the end of the year. Whether or not they make it in is unclear, but even if they do, that would lead to a tough road game in the first round, which would likely end in defeat.
However, this is still MLS after all, and things tend to get weird. Sporting Kansas City went from genuine contender to Western Conference basement fodder. Toronto FC made it all the way to MLS Cup and came remarkably close to winning the whole thing against all the odds despite hosting just one playoff game.
So, with that in mind, why shouldn’t Chicago have hopes of hosting a playoff game come the end of the season? They have got a talented enough team to go on an extended winning streak and, if it all clicks into place, could comprise a decent enough unit that sneaks into a home playoff berth.
Next. MLS: Preseason Power Rankings. dark
Moreover, narrative sometimes takes over in sports. Being back at Soldier Field could give the Fire a huge boost that carries them all the way into the playoffs. The Eastern Conference is wide open, and Chicago would just need to get into the top four to secure a home postseason game. That certainly doesn’t sound too unreasonable.