New York City FC face the Chicago Fire on Saturday afternoon. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30PM ET.Â
Here are the Keys to the match, presented by Ford.
Forward Thrust
Chicago has overhauled its forward line this season.
Belgian forward Hugo Cuypers began the campaign with the Fire and remains the team’s leading scorer with 13 goals, despite moving to Liga MX side Monterrey.
Robert Lewandowski arrived as Cuypers’ replacement. The Polish international brings a wealth of European experience, having played for Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich and Barcelona. A classic No. 9, Lewandowski has scored six goals in 12 games this season and will need to be monitored closely if he starts Saturday.
At the other end of the field, Pascal Jansen has several options at forward. Alonso MartÃnez has continued his comeback, while Brazilian forward Luighi and Nico Fernández Mercau have both delivered goals at key moments this season.
Given the history of goals in this fixture, Saturday’s contest could become a shootout — and give one forward line the chance to shine in the Windy City.
Midweek Duty
Chicago is in the midst of a busy week.
On Tuesday night, the Fire hosted the Vancouver Whitecaps and Thomas Müller at Soldier Field. Goals from Jonathan Bamba, Philip Zinckernagel and Maren Haile-Selassie secured a 3-1 win.
The victory moved Chicago into fourth place in the Eastern Conference, two points ahead of Charlotte FC. Another win this week could help the Fire climb past third-place Inter Miami CF.
The same opportunity is there for New York City FC. A win in Illinois could lift the Boys in Blue as high as seventh, depending on results elsewhere. Facing a team fresh off a win is never easy, but New York City FC will hope to take advantage of Chicago’s midweek outing and their own extra rest.
Form Guide
Historically, this matchup has favored New York City FC. In 25 meetings, New York City has won 14, lost eight and drawn three.
Still, Chicago won the first meeting between the teams in 2015. David Accam’s goal earned the Fire a 1-0 victory, before the teams played to a 2-2 draw in New York later that season. Khiry Shelton and current assistant coach Mehdi Ballouchy scored for New York City FC to help rescue a point.
Goals have been a feature of this matchup, with just three scoreless draws in 25 games. The teams have also played two 4-3 games, both won by New York City FC.
Last season, New York City FC won both meetings. On the road, the Boys in Blue claimed a 3-1 victory, with goals from Nico Fernández Mercau, Alonso MartÃnez and Seymour Reid, who scored his first senior goal for the club in stoppage time.
Pascal Jansen and his players would happily take a repeat result on Saturday.
