Preview: Fire versus Galaxy

A sellout crowd is expected to see Bastian Schweinsteiger and the Fire take on Zlatan Ibrahimovic and LA Galaxy. The Fire’s shape for the match will largely depend on how them employ Schweinsteiger. Last week, Schweinsteiger was sweeper and did yeoman’s work there in the Fire’s much needed 1-0 win over Columbus. It’s a good short-term solution, but not a good long-term solution as the Fire will expect Grant Lillard to grow into a center back partnership with Johan Kappelhof and/or for Jonathan Campbell to return from injury.

Despite the lack of a proverbial #10 (and the player wearing #10 on the bench in Aleksandar Katai), Nemanja Nikolic has four goals from four matches. The goal last week, though, came as the result of a howler from Zack Steffen.

Matt Polster, Luis Solignac, Michael de Leeuw, and Djordje Mihailovic continue to be long-term injury concerns while Campbell is a question mark for Saturday.

LA Galaxy could not work Zlatan’s magic for a second straight game as Sporting Kansas City came to StubHub Center and went out 2-0 winners. Zlatan’s two goals against LAFC two weeks ago has already made him the team’s leading scorer. It will be interesting to see if Ibrahimovic starts after two substitute appearances. Keep in mind, he was out almost a year with a knee injury. Galaxy need Ola Kamara, fresh from signing a new contract, to step up and contribute to LA’s goal total.

Both teams have scored seven and conceded eight. The Fire have only won two league matches since the start of the 2016 season from a trailing position and have won just seven league matches in that time when allowing a goal. The Fire’s last win against LA Galaxy was back in 2010. Last year, the Fire saw a 2-0 lead turn into a 2-2 draw in Carson.

For the Fire, containing Zlatan and Kamara (and Chris Pontius) will be massive to winning while also needing to make the best of how they use Schweinsteiger.

Kickoff for the match is 2:30pm on Univision.

Referee: Ted Unkel
Assistant Referees: Kyle Atkins, Kyle Longville
4th Official: Fotis Bazakos
VAR: David Barrie

CHICAGO FIRE — OUT: M – Djordje Mihailovic (right ACL surgery), F – Michael de Leeuw (left ACL surgery), D – Jorge Corrales (infection), D – Matt Polster (MCL sprain), F – Luis Solignac (left quad); QUESTIONABLE: M – Mo Adams (left elbow), D – Jonathan Campbell (facial fracture), D – Kevin Ellis (undisclosed)

LA GALAXY — F – Bradford Jamieson IV (concussion); QUESTIONABLE: F – Giovani dos Santos (hamstring), D – Michael Ciani (groin)

05/06/2017:  LA 2-2 CHI