MATCH INFO |
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<strong>Matchup</strong> |
Chicago Fire (1-3-4, 7 pts.) at New England Revolution (1-3-7, 10 pts.) |
<strong>Date</strong> |
Saturday, May 14 • 6:30 p.m. CT |
<strong>Location</strong> |
Foxborough, Mass. • Gillette Stadium |
<strong>TV</strong> |
CSN Chicago (Pregame: 6 p.m. CT) |
<strong>Radio</strong> |
97.5 FM Poder (Spanish) |
More than 3,000 miles from the site of their midweek match in Vancouver, the Chicago Fire will line up opposite the New England Revolution Saturday at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, with kickoff slated for 6:30 p.m. CT. The Chicago Fire Pregame Show hosted by Dan Kelly and Frank Klopas begins at 6 p.m. CT on CSN Chicago.
There’s certainly no shortage of storylines going into the match, so let’s dive in and take a look:
New Man In Town
The Chicago Fire had a vested interest in the biggest MLS news of the day Thursday after learning that the New England Revolution had acquired striker Kei Kamara from Columbus Crew SC just before the league’s trade deadline. Kamara made headlines Saturday following his PK spat and subsequent PR fallout with teammate Federico Higuain, and less than a week later found himself on a one-way flight to Boston to join his new club. The likelihood exists that Kamara will be available for selection to Revs head coach Jay Heaps Saturday, but the Fire can take solace knowing they are less than two months removed from holding him without a goal or shot attempt in a 0-0 draw with Columbus on March 19.
Watch: Valspar Matchday Primer | New England Revolution
Leaky Back Line
The Revs’ move to acquire Kei Kamara added another major piece to an attacking unit already featuring Lee Nguyen, Diego Fagundez, Juan Agudelo, Teal Bunbury and Charlie Davies (who’s listed as out Saturday with an adductor strain), but New England’s biggest concerns in 2016 have stemmed from the other end of the pitch. The Revs are tied with the Portland Timbers for most goals conceded this season (20), including four on the road last Sunday against a high-flying LA Galaxy side. Starting centerback Jose Goncalves left last week’s match in the 77th minute with a chest injury that’s left him questionable for Saturday, potentially leaving centerback partner Andrew Farrell and co. to plug the leaks in front of GK Bobby Shuttleworth.
Feeling Fresh?
Veljko Paunovic no doubt spent his day-long trip from Vancouver to Boston considering what if any squad rotation would be necessary to field a fully fit team following Wednesday’s midweek loss to the Whitecaps. Up top, it remains to be seen if Pauno will call on Gilberto after the Brazilian held himself out of action at BC Place, or if Joey Calistri receives another look on the heels of his first full 90 as a professional. Michael Stephens and Matt Polster split action in the midfield Wednesday and are likely to both be available, while David Accam and Khaly Thiam have joined the club in Foxborough with aspirations of contributing to Saturday’s match.
Timing is Everything
The Fire have been stingy in defense in the seven games since the 4-3 opening day loss to NYCFC -- most notably during its club-record 411-minute shutout streak spanning parts of five matches -- and are one of only five MLS teams to surrender two or fewer goals between the 76th and 90th minutes. But those two goals have caused the Men In Red to drop two points as both Montreal (April 16) and Vancouver (May 11) stole last-minute wins from Chicago. Getting back to seeing out matches the way they did in late March and early April will be important to Paunovic and his side.
Swing Match
With just two combined wins between the clubs, the 53rd all-time meeting between these old-school Eastern Conference rivals carries weight for both sides, as they try to avoid falling too far behind in the table. For all its troubles, New England is unbeaten at home this season (1-0-4), while the Fire are eager to pick up a road win in the same building where it last secured three points away from home (July 12, 2014). Expect to see Veljko Paunovic and Jay Heaps pulling out all the stops to secure their desired result on this occasion.