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It promises to be a fiery game at Soldier Field, as two sides with dubious disciplinary records faceoff in a dogfight for the final playoff spots. The Chicago Fire vs Charlotte FC predicted lineups shed light on who is available for this highly anticipated showdown.
Chicago Fire head into this match on a hot streak, having secured six points from the last two matches. Charlotte FC snapped a five-game winless run on Wednesday, by boosting confidence with a 3-0 win over bottom side Toronto FC.
Last season’s fixture was a thriller, the Fire were 2-0 up at the break only for The Crown to respond emphatically and snatch a 3-2 victory.
Chicago Fire vs Charlotte FC predicted lineups and news
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Surprisingly neither team has any players missing through suspension for this crucial clash. The home team have had more red cards (6) than any other side in the MLS, while the visitors are one of three teams to have amassed 80+ yellow cards.
Chicago Fire have also conceded more penalty kicks than any team, Jonathan Dean’s handball on Wednesday was the 10th spot kick conceded. Charlotte are one of eight teams to concede more than 400 fouls, while Chicago are one of six sides to have suffered more than 400 infractions.
Team news: Chicago Fire
Club legend Frank Klopas, the interim coach until the end of the season, pulled off a great attacking substitution in the last game as Maren Haile-Selassie bagged a brace within 10 minutes of coming on. The Swiss winger will be pushing homegrown star Brian Gutierrez for a starting spot.
Kei Kamara remained on the bench last game, the teenager Georgios Koutsias started up front and was replaced by Kacper Pryzybylko.
Paraguayan international had a fantastic game in central midfield against Inter Miami, and his efforts have earned him a recall to the National Team. He will look to win the ball and distribute quickly to the playmaker Xherdan Shaqiri.
The big man Wyatt Omsberg has started the last three matches, the 6’4″ American defender came in when Mauricio Pineda was injured. Young Colombian defender Carlos Terán might partner him depending on the energy levels of Rafael Czichos.
Chicago Fire predicted lineup: 4-2-3-1
Brady – Dean, Omsberg, Czichos, Navarro – Doumbia, Giménez – Herbers, Shaqiri, Haile-Selassie – Kamara
Team news: Charlotte FC
Polish international Karol Świderski netted twice from the spot against Toronto and provided an assist, the 26 year old has scored five braces for The Crown.
Another midfielder Ben Bender remains sidelined with a knee injury, he won’t be expected to feature here. The team captain Ashley Westwood will be the key man in the middle and is usually accompanied by Brandt Bronico.
Justin Meram has been putting in some good performances in recent matches, and the veteran forward took a breather on the bench against Toronto FC. That suggests he will be thrust back into the starting lineup for this duel.
Charlotte FC predicted lineup: 4-2-3-1
Kahlina – Byrne, Malanda, Privett, Uronen – Westwood, Bronico – Meram, Swiderski, Dejaegere – Copetti
Will Kei Kamara play today?
Chicago Fire’s veteran forward is desperate to get more game time as he closes in on Landon Donovan’s scoring record in the MLS. The Sierra Leone international headed in his 144th MLS goal against Portland Timbers in June, he is just one behind Donovan.
Since that game the 39 year old has only played a full ninety minutes three times, and he has found himself an unused sub on the bench in three of the last four games. But will he be in the Chicago Fire vs Charlotte FC predicted lineups?
Will @keikamara tie Landon Donovan tonight for second on the all-time scoring list? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/Svq79fvbBG
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 4, 2023
In part this is because the Fire are using the end of the season to give minutes to young players, but with the playoffs back in the picture we could see a shift in strategy. While Kamara might not have the legs to play the full game, he will likely play a part in the second half.
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