The Chicago Fire are in desperation mode as they host Toronto FC in a match they need to win if they want to maintain a modicum of hope at a possible playoff spot.
Chicago currently sits 14th in the Eastern Conference with 29 points (7-8-16), seven points below Philadelphia in the ninth and final playoff spot with only three matches remaining in the MLS regular season.
Since July 20, the Fire have collected four of a possible 21 points in MLS while also dropping each of their matches in Leagues Cup.
Gastón Giménez has donned the captain’s armband for a good deal of the Fire’s matches in 2024 and assured reporters that the locker room isn’t content with where they’re at during the club’s weekly media availability.
“The guys and I are not happy with the situation we find ourselves in, but we are here with three games left at the end of the season,” Giménez said through a translator. “So we have to go out there every game and give it everything we have, leave everything on the field.
“Just keep working hard so that we can be ready so that we can be focused and we can be at 100 percent and claim as many points as possible in the last three games.”
He noted that he empathizes with the fans’ frustrations.
“For the fans, first of all and most importantly, I want to say thank you for the support. They are always there and always with us, and that's very important for us. Honestly, we are as frustrated as they are.
“But we go out there and try to do our best every game. As I was saying earlier, there's nothing left for us to do but to go out every single game and get the highest quantity of points possible and work as hard as we can.
From the rest of my notebook:
Open Cup Final
The 2024 US Open Cup Final takes place on Wednesday evening in Los Angeles as LAFC host Sporting Kansas City. SKC is looking to become the first MLS team to collect five US Open Cup trophies, a position Frank Klopas would have liked to see the Fire in instead.
“You look at the history of the [Fire], we were at one time Kings of the Cup early on,” Klopas said.
“It's a special night for [SKC], and like I said, it can change a whole season around for them. So, I'm sure that in a difficult place at LAFC, they will put everything into it. It's a final and anything can happen. But it's a special tournament, one that's dear to my heart and special to the [Fire].”
Training Updates
Klopas noted that Hugo Cuypers and Rafael Czichos have been participating in training this week after the former missed the last two matches due to personal reasons and the latter missed the last four contests. The Fire’s head coach also mentioned that Andrew Gutman has been working out individually on the side while Carlos Terán has yet to rejoin training.
Chicago Fire II Update
The Fire’s MLS Next Pro side is in the midst of a playoff battle as it looks to secure a spot in the postseason for the second consecutive year. Fire II currently sits in the final Eastern Conference playoff spot with 41 points, only a single point above Carolina Core (coached by Fire midfielder Ariel Lassiter’s father Roy) and Chattanooga FC.
Fire II will travel to Columbus Crew II on September 29 before hosting Philadelphia Union 2 on Decision Day at SeatGeek Stadium on October 6. They will likely need at least one positive should they want to qualify for the postseason.
What’s On Tap Next?
The Fire will host Toronto FC on Saturday at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois. The match is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 PM CT and will air on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+.
Follow @soccer_ontap on X for more Chicago Fire news and updates!
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