MATCH INFO |
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|---|---|
<strong>Matchup</strong> |
Chicago Fire (1-1-3, 6 pts.) vs. Montreal Impact (3-2-0, 9 pts.) |
<strong>Date</strong> |
Saturday, April 16 • 4 p.m. CT |
<strong>Location</strong> |
Toyota Park; Bridgeview, Ill. |
<strong>TV</strong> |
CSN Chicago Plus (<strong><a href="//www.chicago-fire.com/schedule/broadcast/channel-listings">Channel Finder</a></strong>) |
<strong>Radio</strong> |
97.5 FM Poder (Spanish) |
<strong>Fire Field Vision</strong> |
<a href="//www.chicago-fire.com/post/2016/04/14/fire-field-vision-powered-novacare-fire-vs-montreal-impact?autoplay=true"><b>Watch</b></a> |
<strong>Tickets & Match Guide</strong> |
<strong><a href="//www.chicago-fire.com/post/2016/04/12/match-guide-chivmtl-april-16">Click Here</a></strong> |
Tied for an early lead in the Eastern Conference with nine points, the Montreal Impact visit the Chicago Fire Saturday (4 p.m. CT, CSN Chicago Plus) looking to earn their first win in six trips to Toyota Park. Take a look below at some of the intrigue and storylines leading into the match.
Streaks at Stake
The Fire are the owners of two noteworthy streaks heading into Saturday’s match, beginning where it matters most: results. Chicago has taken points from each of its last four matches, taking a pair of road draws in addition to a win and a draw at Toyota Park. A result against the Impact would give the Fire the club’s longest unbeaten streak since its six consecutive draws early in 2014.
Key to the run has been the stout performance on the defensive side of the ball, where Chicago has extended its shutout streak to 356 minutes despite absorbing considerable pressure in several matches (82 total shots against, third-most in MLS). The mark is 99 minutes longer than the next-best streak in MLS this season; San Jose posted the longest such streak in the 2015 campaign at 448 minutes. Should Chicago neutralize the Impact through the 40th minute of the match Saturday, the 2016 Fire would set a club record for longest stretch without conceding.
Spring Has Sprung?
On April 2, the story of Chicago’s first win of 2016 essentially shared headlines with one of the wildest weather days in recent memory for the area, which, for Chicago, is no small feat. The on-again, off-again snow squalls that day made for rough going on the pitch and in the stands at Toyota Park, and it was only a precursor to another 10 days of below-average April temperatures in the region. But with sunshine and projected temps approaching 70 degrees for the duration of the weekend, all signs are pointing to a stellar day for soccer -- and soccer spectating.
Will Drogba Lead the Montreal Line?
After being linked with a move to Chicago and ultimately having his rights dealt to Montreal, Ivorian superstar Didier Drogba tore through MLS last summer to the tune of 12 goals in 14 games, including 11 in 11 regular season appearances. But he’s been largely absent from the Impact to date in 2016, opting to avoid artificial surfaces and making just one reserve appearance in Montreal’s 2-0 road loss at FC Dallas on March 19. The former Chelsea goal-scoring great was back in training with Mauro Biello’s side this week, and it stands to reason that Saturday’s match offers ideal conditions for Drogba to feature in some capacity. Drogba has one previous appearance at Toyota Park, playing 45 minutes for Chelsea when the just-opened Bridgeview venue hosted the 2006 MLS All-Star Game.
Former Men In Red Return in Blue
Forward Dominic Oduro (2011-12) and midfielder Harry Shipp (2014-15) each played 66 MLS regular season matches over two seasons for the Chicago Fire, and this weekend they return to their former stomping grounds as key contributors for the Montreal Impact. Both have started all five games in 2016, with Oduro (two goals, one assist) leading the line and Shipp (two assists) primarily stationed on the left wing in Biello’s 4-2-3-1 setup.
But There’s More
The diverse threats posed by Drogba’s strength, Oduro’s speed and Shipp’s savvy on the ball constitute only part of what the Fire must contend with should they wish to keep their shutout streak intact. Argentine play-maker Ignacio Piatti wowed fans with his two-goal, one-assist effort in a 3-2 opening day road win over the Whitecaps, which included the gem of a strike seen below. While Piatti’s scoring streak has cooled since, he remains the No. 1-ranked player in WhoScored.com’s 2016 player ratings.
Putting It All Together
Veljko Paunovic has noted his satisfaction with the progress he’s seen in his side to date and is looking for the Fire to continue on that track Saturday. The sight of a set-piece breakthrough last week at Yankee Stadium -- with a spot-on delivery by Michael Stephens, smart flick-on by Gilberto and determined finish by Jonathan Campbell -- was an encouraging one on the attacking end, Johan Kappelhof’s narrow offside positioning notwithstanding. Whether from the run of play or set pieces, Chicago will be trying to break down a Montreal defensive unit -- headlined by Belgian National Team regular and MLS Best XI/Defender of the Year Laurent Ciman -- which, like the Fire has allowed only five goals in five matches this season. With David Accam seemingly on his way to missing a fourth straight contest, it remains to be seen how Paunovic plans to spark the goal-scoring chances his side covets.
