The MLS season continues on Saturday evening as Chicago Fire - looking to extend their unbeaten run - host an in-form Minnesota United at Soldier Field in Illinois.
Chicago have endured a mix start to this season and sit outside the playoffs, whereas Minnesota are yet to be defeated in the 2023 edition of MLS.
Match preview
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After failing to make the playoffs in the past two campaigns, Chicago Fire are on a mission to achieve a top-nine finish in the Eastern conference this term, but they have started off the pace.
Despite being three games unbeaten, just a single win from their opening five matches has failed to get supporters at Soldier Field too optimistic - perhaps fans' hopes have been weighed down by previous years of disappointment.
Ezra Hendrickson's men are currently 11th in the Eastern conference having collected six points from five matches, a record which leaves them just four points behind fourth but only three ahead of bottom side CF Montreal.
Only one player - being former Hibernian man Chris Mueller - has netted on more than one occasion so far this term, although the Men in Red have netted six goals in their last three matches.
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Minnesota have quickly put last season's MLS Cup disappointment behind them by enjoying an unbeaten start to the 2023 season - one in which the club will be looking to operate as an elite outfit in the competition.
A 1-0 victory over Dallas - the team that knocked Adrian Heath's men out of the MLS Cup in October - on the first day of the season set the tone for redemption, which continued into March and April.
The Loons are sitting in fourth in the Western Conference having collected 11 points from five matches, with Heath's men one of three sides in the MLS yet to taste defeat since the new campaign began.
Mender Garcia and Luis Amarilla have provided some much-needed South American flair and quality to the Minnesota forward line - the duo have scored four of the club's six goals so far.
Team News
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Chicago are set to be without midfielder Jairo Torres due to a leg injury sustained in the draw with New York City - the Mexican had to be substituted at half time in that particular contest.
Ex-Liverpool and Stoke City man Xherdan Shaqiri remains sidelined for the Men in Red with a knock, although the Switzerland attacker is expected back in a week or so.
Minnesota have a long-term absentee in their medical room, with centre-back Bakaye Dibassy still recovering from a tendon injury suffered in August.
Ryen Jiba is still a couple of weeks away from action after sustaining a knee injury in late February, leaving manager Heath even more limited in terms of defensive options.
Chicago Fire possible starting lineup:
Brady; Souquet, Teran, Czichos, Dean; Herbers, Gimenez, Haile-Selassie, Gutierrez, Mueller; Przybylko
Minnesota United possible starting lineup:
St. Clair; Taylor, Boxall, Tapias, Lawrence; Hlongwane, Trapp, Arriaga, Fragapane; Garcia, Amarilla
We say: Chicago Fire 0-1 Minnesota United
Chicago have endured a steady start to this new MLS campaign but are yet to win at Soldier Field, drawing all three of their matches in front of their home faithful.
Minnesota seem to have the ingredients of a top MLS side this year, and we believe they will extend their unbeaten run to six games with a victory in Illinois on Saturday.
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Top tip
Carter White
