In this edition of Oppo Research, Hudson River Blue spoke with Joe Chatz of On Tap Sports Net to learn more about Chicago Fire, New York City FC's opponent on Saturday night. Here is your NYCFC vs Chicago preview.
• League Form: L-W-L-L-W
• Record: 5W, 6D, 11L | 21 points, 13th place
• Scoring Leader: Hugo Cuypers, 9 goals
• Assist Leader: Fabian Herbers, 4 assists
1. Chicago's struggles to find talent
Hudson River Blue: Chicago lingered around the bottom of the Eastern Conference for the last couple of years after finishing third in the conference in 2017. What changed after that season, and how does it still affect the team today?
Joe Chatz: Ownership changed and that has brought positive change for the Fire off the pitch, but the MLS results haven’t matched that in any way, shape, or form. The club’s inability to find players who can contribute effectively in MLS has been a massive issue despite the Fire’s ability to identify young talent that has turned major profits in recent years.
The club is dealing with bad contracts that have been given out and are currently without Designated Player Xherdan Shaqiri, who is in the last year of his contract. Until they have players at all roster designations that are contributing at an above-average level, the Fire won’t compete at the top of Major League Soccer.
2. Chicago's front office is not liked
HRB: Frank Klopas, who has been around Chicago for the past couple of seasons after serving as an assistant coach, has been the head coach since last May. How do the Chicago faithful feel about him and the job he has done with the club?
JC: The Fire fans are conflicted about Klopas because they respect him as a person and for his contributions to the club but they’re, understandably, restless rooting for a side that’s 13th in MLS and hasn’t made the playoffs since 2017. The complaints are mostly aimed above Klopas, within the Fire’s organization, and that’s where the real strong feelings lie.
3. Hugo Cuypers excels from good service
HRB: Hugo Cuypers, Chicago’s big signing since last season, scored 51 goals at Gent and has nine goals this season. Is he someone who can lead Chicago to new heights, and how can the club continue to get the best out of him?
JC: If Hugo Cuypers is given consistent service, he will score in droves. Cuypers has an underrated motor that has driven backlines mad of late despite the club’s recent slide, propelling him to six goals in his last seven starts. If the Fire surrounds Cuypers with players who can maximize his ability to finish in the penalty area, they will finally make the playoffs.
Hugo Cuypers's stoppage-time winner against Philadelphia
Hugo Cuypers scores again and pulls Chicago in front! 🫣 pic.twitter.com/S6kWmyMlWl
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 4, 2024
4. The X-Factor: Defensive mistakes
HRB: What’s the X-factor that could decide this game?
JC: It’s as simple as the Fire minimizing their mistakes on the defensive side of the pitch. Too often in 2024, they’ve surrendered silly goals that have cost them results that are keeping them below the playoff line. If Chicago manages to only concede once, they should feel confident about the potential for three points at home.
5. Predicted score, Starting XI
HRB: Prediction time: Starting XI? Final score?
JC: The squad is thin with injuries and Fabian Herbers being out due to yellow card accumulation, forcing Klopas to run it back with the same lineup from last weekend in San Jose. 2-2.
