The Chicago Fire return to MLS action after the international break in search of their first win since March when they host DC United at Soldier Field on Saturday.
Since going unbeaten in their opening five matches this season, the Fire are without a victory in 10 consecutive league contests, while DC have only captured one of their last four domestic encounters.
Match preview
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Chicago found another way to lose in their previous encounter, conceding two goals to Alejandro Pozuelo in the final 20 minutes, dropping a 3-2 decision to Toronto in a match that they seemed to have under control throughout most of the second half.
By no means have they been as bad as their form may indicate, although individual errors at inopportune times have plagued them during the campaign.
Ezra Hendrickson was at a loss for words following that defeat, calling it their best performance of the year, which must be discouraging given that they came away with nothing.
Currently dead last in MLS with 11 points may not seem encouraging, but there are some positives to take away from their recent performances.
The biggest plus is perhaps how much more dynamic they look in the attacking third since adding Chris Mueller from Hibernian, as they created 2.5 expected goals against Toronto.
Their approach has been more open since his arrival, making them more exciting to watch. However, they have been exposed defensively when playing that way, conceding 13 goals last month after starting 2022 with clean sheets in four of their opening five matches.
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Over in the US capital, Chad Ashton has failed to provide stability and consistency within the DC United squad, who conceded four goals in the second half, losing 4-1 to the New York Red Bulls before the international break.
After replacing Hernan Losada as coach, Ashton's aim was to bring the fun back to the game for his players, and even though the results have been mixed, they seem to be playing with a little more freedom going forward.
The Black and Red are without a win in their previous four MLS road fixtures, looking poor defensively away from home, allowing 11 goals over that stretch.
Technically speaking, these players have struggled lately, with a pass accuracy below 80% in every match since late April, clicking at a mere 64% in their defeat at Red Bull Arena.
When playing on the road, it is essential not to give the home team any momentum and find a way to take the crowd out of the game, and DC have failed to do either, scoring first in only two of their away matches this year.
There are several exciting attacking options on this team, though they could use better service into the box to help them win a little more.
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Team News
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Xherdan Shaqiri had two assists for Chicago in their 3-2 loss to TFC, the second instance in which he has tallied multiple times in that department this year, while Jairo Torres made his first career start for the Fire.
Kacper Przybylko and Carlos Teran each scored in their previous encounter, while Gabriel Slonina's chances of making the US World Cup squad have taken a hit, with the Chicago keeper conceding 10 times in his last three road games.
Chris Brady is out with a left ankle issue, Spencer Richey has a head injury and Mauricio Pineda will be questionable because of a problem with his left lower leg.
Ola Kamara notched his sixth goal of the season for DC United in their loss to the Red Bulls, surpassing Taxiarchis Fountas for the team lead, while Julian Gressel moved beyond Michael Estrada for first in assists for this squad, tallying his third.
In their previous MLS affair, Nigel Robertha made his first start for the Black and Red since April 16, Russell Canouse returned to the lineup after missing their previous fixture against the Reds, while Kimarni Smith recorded his first career MLS assist.
Adrien Perez has been missing with a foot issue, Moses Nyeman, Andy Najar and Gaoussou Samake all have thigh problems, while Chris Odoi-Atsem continues to recover from his ankle injury and Brendan Hines-Ike is out due to yellow card accumulation.
Chicago Fire possible starting lineup:
Slonina; M. Navarro, Czichos, Teran, Sekulic; Gimenez, F, Navarro; Mueller, Shaqiri, Offor; Przybylko
DC United possible starting lineup:
Hamid; Sargis, Birnbaum, Alfaro; B. Smith, Djeffal, Skundrich, Gressel; Fountas, Kamara, Flores
We say: Chicago Fire 2-1 DC United
Football can be cruel at times, as Chicago discovered in their previous encounter, losing a game in which they deserved at least a point, but the beauty of this sport is that things often have a way of evening out.
DC have looked shaky on the back end away from home, and even with their potent attack, we expect the Fire to be stingier defensively while exposing the openings that the Black and Red tend to allow in the attacking third.
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