With one of the weirdest games of the past few years behind them, the Chicago Fire will attempt to somehow use that momentum to get at least another point at home. And they might have a good chance at doing that against an Atlanta United side that hasn’t won a game since early May. However, they only have a single loss in that stretch of 5 games. Let’s see who will be available.
Good news for the Chicago Fire as Przemyslaw Frankowski is back and should be clear for full action in this one. Gaston Gimenez, on the other hand, is still in his international tournament with Paraguay. But coming back from that same tournament is Atlanta United’s Josef Martinez who should also be ready for this one. The only injury of note is Emerson Hyndman who recently tore his ACL.
Here are three things to look out for on Saturday:
Big Bob
I’ve spoken a lot over the past couple years about whether or not Francisco Calvo is a good captain for the Chicago Fire. The jury is still out on whether he’s even a good player, but there’s been questions swirling about whether or not Calvo actually works as a leader for this team. But when asked to give an alternative, there hasn’t really been any solution other than “sign a new guy.” But the past couple games may have revealed a man who can lead us.
Across just the last two games, Bobby Shuttleworth has made 14 saves. Though, it’s a bit unfair to say that when 11 of those saves came in just a single game against FC Cincinnati. While he also has come under scrutiny from the fan base, especially in the previous game against Atlanta, he’s proven that he is willing to put his body on the line for the club. Bobby picked up a bruised rib while trying to stop the lone goal in the Cincy game and has continued to honestly be a bright spot for the defense.
If there is one player that Fire fans can be pleasantly surprised by, it’s Shuttleworth.
Lemme See Something
There was pretty much nothing that anyone could learn from that mess of a game last week. Except for a very short period of time late in the game. I spoke about it in the recap, but the moment that Frankowski entered the pitch, as well as Robert Beric being replaced by Chinonso Offor, the team actually felt dangerous. The movement in the attack had more purpose and Offor showed that he was able to essentially start an attack on his own.
So I propose something for this game. Instead of throwing him out there with little help against a much better team, Chinonso Offor should replace Robert Beric to start this match. I just want to see something. And if this doesn’t work out, then the season will continue as it has. But if it does work and an attacking front of Offor, Frankowski, Ignacio Aliseda, Luka Stojanovic, and Alvaro Medran can actually put real performances together, then this season might not be lost.
Whenever You Least Expect It
The weird thing with the Chicago Fire is that they always find ways to get results against teams they shouldn’t. It’s not an automatic thing and the moment I say it, they blow it. On the other hand, they also don’t play well against the teams they should beat. And Atlanta United is somewhere in between those two identities.
Atlanta seems to be making a run at the 2014 Chicago Fire’s single-season draw record of 18 draws in 34 games, with a blistering pace of 6 draws out of their first 10 games this season. There is really no other way to describe this team other than exceedingly average. So average that they only get draws.
Chicago has no reason why they should win, lose, or even draw this match. Atlanta is kind of a mystery at this point and the only differences between this game and the one earlier in the season is that this one is at home for the Fire and Josef Martinez is fully healthy again. So, once again, it’s pretty even.
Projected XI
Chicago Fire (5-3-2-1): Bobby Shuttleworth; Miguel Navarro, Francisco Calvo, Mauricio Pineda, Wyatt Omsberg, Boris Sekulic; Alvaro Medran, Luka Stojanovic; Ignacio Aliseda, Przemyslaw Frankowski; Chinonso Offor
Atlanta United (4-3-3): Brad Guzan; George Bello, Anton Walkes, Miles Robinson, Brooks Lennon; Ezequiel Barco, Santiago Sosa, Franco Ibarra; Marcelino Moreno, Josef Martinez, Jake Mulraney
How To Watch
Saturday, July 3rd, 7:00PM CDT; At Soldier Field in Chicago, IL, on WGN and online on the Chicago Fire website