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Chicago Fire
Major League Soccer
Aug 31, 2023 at 1.30am UK
Soldier Field
Vancouver Whitecaps

Chicago Fire
0 - 1
Vancouver

FT(HT: 0-1)
White (19')
Brown (58')

Preview: Chicago Fire vs. Vancouver Whitecaps - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Thursday's Major League Soccer clash between Chicago Fire and Vancouver Whitecaps, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

A pair of sides barely clinging to playoff spots in their respective conferences will square off at Soldier Field on Wednesday as the Chicago Fire host the Vancouver Whitecaps in the first match between both teams this year.

The Fire have lost back-to-back MLS affairs, losing 3-0 to the Los Angeles Galaxy last Saturday, currently, two points above DC United for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, while the Whitecaps edged the Portland Timbers 3-2, putting them two points clear of the postseason line in the West.


Match preview

Chicago Fire midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri (10) reacts after scoring a goal on August 1, 2023© Reuters

Chicago are holding down a playoff position by the skin of their teeth and have nine matches remaining in their quest to qualify for the postseason for the first time since 2017.

Heading into the Leagues Cup, the Fire had posted three successive domestic clean sheets but have regressed defensively since that tournament began, conceding in five straight competitive fixtures, including six in their last two MLS encounters.

Eight of the last nine goals conceded by Frank Klopas's side in this competition have occurred in the second half, including three in their previous home outing, when Chicago suffered a 3-1 defeat to Orlando City.

That was the fourth time all season that the Fire had failed to maintain a first-half advantage at home in the regular season, and the first time they came away empty-handed in the Windy City when leading after 45 minutes.

While an elusive playoff berth will be the ultimate goal for this team between now and the end of the campaign, Chicago need eight points from their final nine matches to surpass their total from 2022 (39).

They are unbeaten in their three matches played this season against Canadian clubs, winning twice and failing to concede in any of those encounters.

Vancouver Whitecaps forward Brian White (24) celebrates with teammates on June 24, 2023© Reuters

Vancouver began their seven-game road trip on the right foot this past weekend, earning their second away victory of the MLS campaign.

Their triumph put them in the lead for the Cascadia Cup, but more importantly, it has them in a much stronger position to return to the postseason.

It was only the fifth time this club had won an away contest in this competition since Vanni Sartini took charge in August 2021, with Vancouver having now earned nine points on the road in the 2023 regular season, one fewer than in 2022.

Wednesday will be the first time the Caps face an Eastern Conference opponent on the road in MLS play this year, with this team winless in their last seven regular-season matches away from home versus the East, losing all three encounters against that conference last year by a combined score of 8-2.

They are winless in their last two regular-season visits to Chicago, conceding an 84th-minute equaliser from the penalty spot in 2019 and playing to a 1-1 draw.

Seven of their last eight matches in all competitions have been decided by a goal or fewer, with the Whitecaps coming out on top on two occasions.

Chicago Fire Major League Soccer form:

Chicago Fire form (all competitions):
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Vancouver Whitecaps Major League Soccer form:


Vancouver Whitecaps form (all competitions):
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Team News

Chicago Fire forward Kei Kamara (23) celebrates with midfielder Maren Haile-Selassie (7) after scoring a goal on June 21, 2023© Reuters

Chicago were without Javier Casas versus the Galaxy as he is dealing with an issue in his right upper arm, Chris Mueller was on the sidelines with a right upper leg issue, Victor Bezerra sat out with a right lower leg injury, Mauricio Pineda was forced out due to yellow card accumulation, while Gaston Gimenez received two cautions before that match was 30 minutes old and will miss this encounter as a result.

Kei Kamara collected his 413th career MLS cap last Saturday, equalling Chris Wondolowski for the fourth-most appearances in league history, Rafael Czichos was in the starting 11 for the first time since their Leagues Cup triumph over Minnesota United (3-2), Federico Navarro was in the opening lineup for the first time since June 24, and Chris Brady was back between the sticks after missing their match against Orlando City with a knock.

The last time they faced Vancouver in 2022, Xherdan Shaqiri and Mueller each had a goal and an assist in a 3-1 away triumph, with Czichos scoring the winner.

Thomas Hasal was scratched from the Whitecaps team sheet in Portland because of patellar tendinopathy, Luis Martins missed that match due to a left calf strain, while Andres Cubas will not be available on Wednesday, having picked up another caution last weekend.

Ryan Gauld has 10 goals and eight assists in his last 13 competitive fixtures, notching a brace versus the Timbers, with the other strike coming courtesy of Brian White, who set a new career high, netting for the 13th time in all competitions, and also moving into a tie for third in all-time goals for the club (25) alongside Pedro Morales, while he is now one behind Fredy Montero for second and 14 back of Camilo Sanvezzo.

Last Saturday, Ali Ahmed made his first start for the Caps since May 24, Sam Adekugbe featured in the starting 11 for the first time since returning to the club from a spell in Turkey and Russell Teibert made his 300th career appearance for Vancouver in all competitions.

Chicago Fire possible starting lineup:
Brady; Dean, Teran, Czichos, Aceves; F. Navarro, Haile-Selassie; Herbers, Shaqiri, Torres; Koutsias

Vancouver Whitecaps possible starting lineup:
Takaoka; Adekugbe, Veselinovic, Blackmon; Laryea, Raposo, Schopf, Ahmed; Vite; White, Gauld


SM words green background

We say: Chicago Fire 2-1 Vancouver Whitecaps

The Caps have built up a lot of confidence away from home of late, winning three of their last four road contests in all competitions, and we expect Gauld and White to carry them to another massive three points on Wednesday.

Defensively, the Fire have struggled in recent outings, while they have not created nearly as many scoring opportunities since Mueller was sidelined through injury.

How to watch

You can watch Chicago Fire vs. Vancouver Whitecaps and every MLS match this season live on Apple TV. Click here for more details on how to subscribe.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data


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Game History

How you voted: Chicago Fire vs Vancouver

Chicago Fire
37.5%
Draw
37.5%
Vancouver Whitecaps
25.0%
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Eastern Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Inter MiamiInter Miami34228479493074
2Columbus Crew34199672403266
3FC CincinnatiCincinnati341851158481059
4Orlando City34157125950952
5Charlotte FCCharlotte FC34149114637951
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7New York Red BullsNY Red Bulls34111495550547
8CF MontrealMontreal341110134864-1643
9Atlanta UnitedAtlanta341010144649-340
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11Philadelphia UnionPhiladelphia34910156255737
12Toronto34114194061-2137
13Nashville SCNashville3499163854-1636
14New England RevolutionNew England3494213774-3731
15Chicago Fire3479184062-2230

Western Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Los Angeles FCLos Angeles34197863432064
2Los Angeles GalaxyLA Galaxy34197869501964
3Real Salt LakeSalt Lake341611765481759
4Seattle SoundersSeattle34169951351657
5Houston DynamoHouston34159104739854
6Minnesota UnitedMinnesota Utd34157125849952
7Colorado RapidsColorado34155146160150
8Portland TimbersPortland341211116556947
9Vancouver WhitecapsVancouver34138135249347
10Austin FCAustin34119143948-942
11Dallas34118155456-241
12St Louis City34813135063-1337
13Sporting Kansas CityKansas3487195166-1531
14San Jose EarthquakesEarthquakes3463254178-3721


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