Chicago Fire vs. New York Red Bulls – Game Preview
August 25, 2015
August 26, Toyota Park, Bridgeview, Illinois, 8:30 p.m. ET
Week 26 of Major League Soccer’s 2015 regular season is upon us, with the first match of this week taking place tomorrow (Wednesday), where Chicago Fire will host the New York Red Bulls.
With the season nearing an end, the pressure is mounting on as teams MLS teams of both conferences are fighting to secure a playoff position. In this match, the pressure is certainly going to be on the hosts more than the visitors.
Hosts Chicago Fire are currently at the basement of the MLS Eastern Conference, closing the table at the 20th position with 23 points (6-13-5). Chicago also has not only the fewest points in both conferences (second from the bottom is Western Conference Colorado Rapids with 27 points), but with 27 goals scored this season, also ranks lowest in goals scored in the Major League Soccer Eastern Conference.
Chicago Fire saw their winless streak extended to three games, with a 0-1 defeat at home to Western Conference basement dwellers Colorado Rapids.
New York Red Bulls is coming to this match with a very different momentum. The Red Bulls are ranked second in the MLS Eastern Conference with 39 points (11-6-6). The team is coming on the back of a strong, 6-streak win. The Red Bulls have last defeated Sebastian Giovinco and the Toronto FC bunch at Red Bull Arena in August 15th. So, the visitors are also coming after a long rest.
So on face value, all the odds seem to be in New York’s favour. However, there is always the underlying MLS history that tends to play a part in the most unexpected moments: New York Red Bulls have never won in Toyota Park. In fact, the last time the Red Bulls won at Chicago Fire was Soldier Field in May, 2005.
And to make things even more interesting, the last meeting between the two sides in August resulted in a 1-0 win for Chicago.
