As we enter the final stretch of the MLS season, New York Red Bulls and Chicago Fire will look to stay in contention for a playoff spot when they meet at Red Bull Arena on Sunday morning.
The hosts are currently in 11th place in the Eastern Conference while the visitors are in 12th, and both sides are currently on 34 points, three behind New York City and the final playoff qualification spot.
Match preview
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After finishing fourth last term, the Red Bulls have found it difficult this season and come into this match following a 5-3 win over DC United that snapped up a five-match winless run, including three losses and two draws.
After going 2-1 down against Wayne Rooney's side, Omir Fernandez brought his side level with his second goal of the afternoon before Cameron Harper, Sean Nealis and John Tolkin added another three in the second period to claim a much-need victory.
With that result, the Metros' record now reads as eight wins, 10 draws and 12 losses in 30 games, although they are the second-lowest-scoring team in the league on 30, with only bottom club Toronto faring worse (24).
Over the course of the season, Troy Lesesne's side have taken 23 points from a possible 45 at the Red Bull Arena, which ranks 19th across both Conferences and three places above their opponents.
The last time these sides met, the match ended 1-1 back in April, and that marked the third consecutive encounter that the Red Bulls avoided defeat against the Fire (W1 D2 L0) dating back to August 2021.
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Meanwhile, Chicago have been in freefall since the Leagues Cup, and after drawing 2-2 with New England last week, they have now gone nine games in all competitions without a single victory.
Adding to the concerns for Frank Klopas will be that prior to their draw last weekend, his side had failed to score in five consecutive league matches while letting in 11 goals at the other end in that time.
Against New England, the Men in Red were behind inside the first 20 minutes of the match but struck back almost immediately through Brian Gutierrez and took the lead in the second half thanks to Gaston Gimenez, but they were unable to hold on to the advantage as Carles Gil leveled proceeded half an hour from the end.
Chicago will now set their sights on an NYRB team that are far from their best, but their own away record has been dismal as they are winless in their last five (W0 D1 L4) and have failed to score in their last four consecutive matches on the road.
Team News
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Dante Vanzeir has managed two goals and an assist this season for the Red Bulls, but the forward has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a spinal cord injury.
Lewis Morgan (hip), Steven Sserwadda (knee) and Serge Ngoma (hamstring) are the other absentees, although all three players could return to action before the end of the season.
In the opposing dugout, Chris Mueller is the only long-term absentee and is expected to miss the rest of the season with a serious hip injury.
Victor Bezerra and Federico Navarro are on the road to recovery and could return to the squad in the next couple of weeks, while Javier Casas is likely to remain sidelined for a while longer.
Xherdan Shaqiri was shown two yellows against Columbus Crew and will be eligible for selection here, having served his one-match ban against The Revolution last weekend.
New York Red Bulls possible starting lineup:
Coronel; Duncan, Reyes, Nealis, Tolkin; Yearwood, Edelman, Amaya, Luquinhas; Manoel, Barlow
Chicago Fire possible starting lineup:
Brady; Teran, Pineda, Czichos, Aceves; Doumbia, Gimenez, Torres, Gutierrez, Haile-Selassie; Koutsias
We say: New York Red Bulls 1-0 Chicago Fire
While The Red Bulls have not been at their absolute best of late, their home form has been relatively good, especially against the sides in the bottom half of the Eastern Conference. Chicago Fire have been dreadful on the road of late, and we feel they may suffer another loss in this one.
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Top tip
Devesh Jaganath
