Match Preview

Match Preview: Atlanta United visits the Windy City to face Chicago Fire

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First Touches

Match Details

  • Date: Saturday, May 20
  • Kickoff time: 8:30 p.m.
  • Location: Soldier Field
  • Tickets: View tickets

How to watch, listen and live stream Chicago Fire vs. Atlanta United

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Both teams played midweek to different results. After dropping three straight in MLS, Atlanta United bounced back and dominated Colorado Rapids 4-0 at home behind four different goal scorers. The performance landed Brooks Lennon and Luiz AraĂºjo on the midweek MLS Team of the Matchday. Meanwhile, Chicago Fire went on the road to Bank of America Stadium on Wednesday. The Fire held a 1-0 halftime lead only to concede twice in the second half and fall to a confident Charlotte FC.

Series History and Last Meeting

Atlanta United leads the series with a 7-4-1 all-time record against Chicago in MLS regular season play. Last time these two teams faced each other was just a few weeks ago for the One Planet match on April 23. Atlanta United held a 1-0 lead for most of the match, then gave up a goal in the 90th minute. It looked like the match was headed toward a draw until an own goal from Chicago tilted the result Atlanta's way 2-1. Chicago had a different coach then (the Fire parted ways with Ezra Hendrickson on May 8) and are now managed by Frank Klopas.

Players To Watch

Brooks Lennon (Atlanta United) – His name wasn't on the score sheet Wednesday in Atlanta United's 4-0 win over Colorado Rapids, but the fullback played a part in a major way. Lennon contributed to two of Atlanta's four goals on the night, the third multi-assist game of his career, an effort the league rewarded by naming him to the MLS Team of the Matchday. Lennon ranks second on the team in assists (6) and second in MLS in chances created (32) behind only his teammate Thiago Almada.

Kacper Przybyłko (Chicago Fire) – The lone goal scorer for Chicago Fire in the last meeting between these two sides is a guy Atlanta United will want to keep an eye on. He's scored six goals in seven career matches against Atlanta in all competitions, equaling his most against any opponent. Hany Mukhtar and of Nashville SC and Luciano Acosta of FC Cincinnati are the only active MLS players to score more career goals on the 5-Stripes.

Atlanta United head coach Gonzalo Pineda on Chicago Fire:

"Since the last time we faced them, I think we have to be way better. I think the movement of the ball was very slow with too many touches. We were sloppy with our passes. Every pass matters, every first touch, looking over your shoulder, receive, turn, play forward, move, be proactive, numbers inside the box. All those things need to happen for us to be successful tomorrow."

"This league is very competitive. We need to respect every opponent. Not all the games are the same. We won’t win every game 4-0 or 6-1, that won’t happen every match. We should have always the same intentions to attack, to be proactive, to be good and disciplined tactically, but aggressive and that full commitment that we had in the last game."

Chicago Fire
Atlanta United
Head coach

Frank Klopas

Gonzalo Pineda
2023 record (W-L-T)
3-4-5 (14 points)
6-4-3 (21 points)
Eastern Conference Standings
13th
4th
Kit: Colors
Primary: Navy, navy
Secondary: Mint, white
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