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 for the second time this season. Here is your NYCFC vs Chicago preview.
• Recent Form (All Comps): L-L-L-W-D
• Record: 6W, 7D, 12L | 25 points, 14th place
• Scoring Leader: Hugo Cuypers, 9 goals
• Assist Leader: Fabian Herbers, 4 assists
1. A playoff spot is possible for Chicago
Hudson River Blue: Chicago lost both of their Leagues Cup games and crashed out in the group stage. Despite not having a good season, the Fire are only three points off a playoff spot. Will we see Chicago in the playoffs for the first time since 2017?
Joe Chatz: Any team in MLS should challenge for a playoff spot. That’s just how the league is designed.
The Fire have as good a chance as they ever have to finally make the playoffs. All of their final nine matches are against Eastern Conference foes and if they can string together a few results, they could actually see the postseason for the first time since I was a sophomore in college.
2. See ya, Xherdan Shaqiri
HRB: Xherdan Shaqiri, Chicago’s former Designated Player, had his contract terminated last Wednesday. How surprising was that roster move? How does this affect the team going forward?
JC: It wasn’t surprising at all. The biggest question with Xherdan Shaqiri was whether the Fire could find a team that could pay his exorbitant MLS salary. They didn’t and now he’s with FC Basel after his contract was terminated. The team immediately started playing better once he left to prepare for Euro 2024, so it shouldn’t affect the squad much.
3. Hugo Cuypers is back
HRB: Another player absent from the squad, Hugo Cuypers, has not played since July 20. Cuypers leads the team with nine goals and has started 25 matches this season, yet was not seen in any of Chicago’s League Cup matches. Where has Cuypers been?
JC: Cuypers and the Fire had an agreement when he joined the club in the offseason that he wouldn’t play in the opening rounds of Leagues Cup. His season began in June 2023 in Belgium and he hasn’t had much of a break since then. He confirmed during his press conference on Wednesday that he needed some time but it was something that had been agreed upon previously.
4. The X-Factor: Creating chances
HRB: What's the X-factor that could decide this game?
JC: Considering how dull the first matchup was between these two teams, the key is simply creating chances in front of goal and actually generating on-target efforts. Each side only had a single shot on goal when they played at Soldier Field. That can’t happen again.
5. Predicted score, Starting XI
HRB: Prediction time: Starting XI? Final score?
JC: This could be one of those matches that opens up if a goal is scored within 25 minutes, and that could benefit the Fire if Hugo Cuypers and Maren Haile-Selassie are having a strong match. 1-1.
