{"id":833658,"date":"2025-03-13T10:12:31","date_gmt":"2025-03-13T15:12:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/13\/preview-toronto-vs-chicago-fire\/"},"modified":"2025-03-13T10:12:31","modified_gmt":"2025-03-13T15:12:31","slug":"preview-toronto-vs-chicago-fire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/13\/preview-toronto-vs-chicago-fire\/","title":{"rendered":"Preview: Toronto vs. Chicago Fire"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Soccer <\/p>\n<p>Sports Mole previews Saturday&#8217;s Major League Soccer clash between Toronto and Chicago Fire, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.<\/p>\n<div id=\"article_body\" itemprop=\"articleBody\">\n<p>Seeking their first victory of the 2025 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sportsmole.co.uk\/football\/mls\/table.html\"><strong>Major League Soccer<\/strong><\/a> campaign, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sportsmole.co.uk\/football\/toronto\/\" title=\"More Toronto\"><strong>Toronto<\/strong><\/a> welcome the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sportsmole.co.uk\/football\/chicago-fire\/\" title=\"More Chicago Fire\"><strong>Chicago Fire<\/strong><\/a> to BMO Field for their home opener on Saturday.<\/p>\n<p>The Reds conceded twice in the final 45 minutes last week, losing 2-0 to FC Cincinnati, while the Fire came from behind to defeat Dallas 3-1.<\/p>\n<hr>\n<h2>Soccer Match preview<\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sm.imgix.net\/25\/11\/sean-johnson.jpeg?w=640&#038;h=480&#038;auto=compress,format&#038;fit=clip\" title=\"Soccer  Toronto goalkeeper Sean Johnson pictured on March 8, 2025\" alt=\"Soccer  Toronto goalkeeper Sean Johnson pictured on March 8, 2025\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\"><span><span>\u00a9 Imago<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>It was another solid opening 45 minutes for Toronto last week, but in the end their defensive line failed to hold it together in the latter stages.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sportsmole.co.uk\/people\/robin-fraser\/\" title=\"More Robin Fraser\"><strong>Robin Fraser<\/strong><\/a>&#8216;s men have conceded four second-half goals in the competition this year, while netting just once in the opening 45 minutes of play.<\/p>\n<p>TFC are now winless in eight consecutive regular season encounters, claiming just two positive results during that run.<\/p>\n<p>They ended the 2024 regular season with three consecutive defeats, scoring just a single goal over that span, with their last domestic victory at BMO Field occurring against Austin FC last September (2-1).<\/p>\n<p>Toronto have not lost their MLS home opener since 2022, when the New York Red Bulls beat them 4-1, with this team defeating Charlotte FC in their first domestic encounter at BMO Field a year ago (1-0).<\/p>\n<p>It has been a long time since this club began an MLS campaign without a victory in their first four games, with the Reds losing their opening nine fixtures in 2012.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sm.imgix.net\/25\/11\/hugo-cuypers.jpeg?w=640&#038;h=480&#038;auto=compress,format&#038;fit=clip\" title=\"Soccer Hugo Cuypers of the Chicago Fire pictured on June 15, 2024\" alt=\"Soccer Hugo Cuypers of the Chicago Fire pictured on June 15, 2024\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\"><span><span>\u00a9 Imago<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Early into his tenure as Chicago head coach, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sportsmole.co.uk\/people\/gregg-berhalter\/\" title=\"More Gregg Berhalter\"><strong>Gregg Berhalter<\/strong><\/a> has seen his side show plenty of resilience, earning points in their last two matches when faced with a second-half deficit.<\/p>\n<p>On Saturday, the former USA boss can do something no manager has done with this club since <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sportsmole.co.uk\/people\/frank-klopas\/\" title=\"More Frank Klopas\"><strong>Frank Klopas<\/strong><\/a> in June 2023, win consecutive league contests away from home.<\/p>\n<p>Chicago are winless in their last three MLS encounters when scoring the opening half goal, doing so in their first two matches of this season.<\/p>\n<p>The Fire have failed to win their last two matches in this competition when ahead or even at the interval, with their previous such victory coming at home to the New York Red Bulls last September (2-1).<\/p>\n<p>With four points after three domestic encounters, the Fire are off to their best start to a regular season since 2022, when they had five points after three matchdays.<\/p>\n<p>They have points in their previous two visits to BMO Field, winning this exact fixture 4-1 in 2024, and on Saturday they can win consecutive trips to Toronto for the first time since 2012.<\/p>\n<p>Toronto Major League Soccer form:<\/p>\n<p>Chicago Fire Major League Soccer form:<\/p>\n<hr>\n<h2>Soccer Team News<\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sm.imgix.net\/25\/11\/tyrese-spicer.jpeg?w=640&#038;h=480&#038;auto=compress,format&#038;fit=clip\" title=\"Soccer  Toronto striker Tyrese Spicer pictured on March 8, 2025\" alt=\"Soccer  Toronto striker Tyrese Spicer pictured on March 8, 2025\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\"><span><span>\u00a9 Imago<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Lower body injuries kept a handful of Toronto players out of the lineup against Cincy, including <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sportsmole.co.uk\/people\/richie-laryea\/\" title=\"More Richie Laryea\"><strong>Richie Laryea<\/strong><\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sportsmole.co.uk\/people\/henry-wingo\/\" title=\"More Henry Wingo\"><strong>Henry Wingo<\/strong><\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sportsmole.co.uk\/people\/sigurd-rosted\/\" title=\"More Sigurd Rosted\"><strong>Sigurd Rosted<\/strong><\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sportsmole.co.uk\/people\/raoul-petretta\/\" title=\"More Raoul Petretta\"><strong>Raoul Petretta<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Laryea could be back this weekend as he and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sportsmole.co.uk\/people\/jonathan-osorio\/\" title=\"More Jonathan Osorio\"><strong>Jonathan Osorio<\/strong><\/a> were named to the Canadian squad for their upcoming CONCACAF Nations League fixture with Mexico next week.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sportsmole.co.uk\/people\/zane-monlouis\/\" title=\"More Zane Monlouis\"><strong>Zane Monlouis<\/strong><\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sportsmole.co.uk\/people\/ola-brynhildsen\/\" title=\"More Ola Brynhildsen\"><strong>Ola Brynhildsen<\/strong><\/a> made their first starts for the Reds in their previous match, while <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sportsmole.co.uk\/people\/lorenzo-insigne\/\" title=\"More Lorenzo Insigne\"><strong>Lorenzo Insigne<\/strong><\/a> was not on the team sheet and has yet to feature this season.<\/p>\n<p>Chicago are also dealing with a series of injuries, as <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sportsmole.co.uk\/people\/maren-haile-selassie\/\" title=\"More Maren Haile-Selassie\"><strong>Maren Haile-Selassie<\/strong><\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sportsmole.co.uk\/people\/philip-zinckernagel\/\" title=\"More Philip Zinckernagel\"><strong>Philip Zinckernagel<\/strong><\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sportsmole.co.uk\/people\/carlos-teran\/\" title=\"More Carlos Teran\"><strong>Carlos Teran<\/strong><\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sportsmole.co.uk\/people\/david-poreba\/\" title=\"More David Poreba\"><strong>David Poreba<\/strong><\/a> were all unavailable last weekend due to lower body problems.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sportsmole.co.uk\/people\/rominigue-kouame\/\" title=\"More Rominigue Kouame\"><strong>Rominigue Kouame<\/strong><\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sportsmole.co.uk\/people\/chase-gasper\/\" title=\"More Chase Gasper\"><strong>Chase Gasper<\/strong><\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sportsmole.co.uk\/people\/dylan-borso\/\" title=\"More Dylan Borso\"><strong>Dylan Borso<\/strong><\/a> were unavailable against Dallas for that same reason, while <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sportsmole.co.uk\/people\/chris-mueller\/\" title=\"More Chris Mueller\"><strong>Chris Mueller<\/strong><\/a> was on paternity leave to witness the birth of his new baby.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sportsmole.co.uk\/people\/andrew-gutman\/\" title=\"More Andrew Gutman\"><strong>Andrew Gutman<\/strong><\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sportsmole.co.uk\/people\/leonardo-barroso\/\" title=\"More Leonardo Barroso\"><strong>Leonardo Barroso<\/strong><\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sportsmole.co.uk\/people\/hugo-cuypers\/\" title=\"More Hugo Cuypers\"><strong>Hugo Cuypers<\/strong><\/a> all scored in the final eight minutes of their match with the Toros to turn the tide of that contest in their favour.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Toronto possible starting lineup:<\/strong><br \/>Johnson; Thompson, Monlouis, Long, Franklin; Longstaff, Coello, Etienne; Osorio; Bernardeschi, Brynhildsen<\/p>\n<div>\n<p><strong>Chicago Fire possible starting lineup:<\/strong><br \/>Brady; Barroso, Rogers, Elliott, Gutman; Pineda, Acosta, Gutierrez; Barlow, Cuypers, Bamba<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<hr>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sm.imgix.net\/20\/33\/sm-words-green-background.png?w=210&#038;h=53\" title=\"Soccer SM words green background\" alt=\"Soccer SM words green background\" width=\"210\" height=\"53\"><\/p>\n<h2>Soccer We say: Toronto 3-2 Chicago Fire<\/h2>\n<p>These are the two worst defensive units in the Eastern Conference, with Toronto allowing eight goals thus far and the Fire just one fewer.<\/p>\n<p>Look for there to be plenty of chances on both sides Saturday, with the home crowd&#8217;s energy helping the Reds claim their first victory of the season.<\/p>\n<p>For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sportsmole.co.uk\/football\/mls\/toronto-vs-chicago-fire_game_219199.html\"><strong>please click here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<hr>\n<p><span>ID:567732:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect9513:<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Soccer Previews by email<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sportsmole.co.uk\/football\/preview\/subscribe.html\">Click here<\/a> to get <strong>Sports Mole<\/strong>&#8216;s daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<hr>\n<hr>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportsmole.co.uk\/football\/toronto\/preview\/preview-toronto-vs-chicago-fire-prediction-team-news-lineups_567732.html\" class=\"button purchase\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read More<\/a>Tomi Center<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Soccer Sports Mole previews Saturday&#8217;s Major League Soccer clash between Toronto and Chicago Fire, including predictions, team news and possible lineups. Seeking their first victory of the 2025 Major League Soccer campaign, Toronto welcome the Chicago Fire to BMO Field for their home opener on Saturday. The Reds conceded twice in the final 45 minutes [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":833659,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1002,2005,1117],"tags":[6234,8427],"class_list":{"0":"post-833658","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-preview","8":"category-soccer","9":"category-toronto","10":"tag-preview","11":"tag-toronto"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/833658","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=833658"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/833658\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/833659"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=833658"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=833658"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=833658"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}