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MLS Chicago Fire FC

A Closer Look at Chicago's 2017 MLS Regular Season Schedule

January 12, 2017 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


As of Thursday, the annual assembling of the 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle that is the MLS regular season schedule has been completed, with the league's schedule release prompting fans across the country to break down their slates for every challenge, quirk and opportunity that 2017 holds for their club.So what's in store for the Chicago Fire in the club's upcoming 20th MLS season? Here are a few notes that jump off the 34-match fixture list:

Welcome Aboard

The Chicago Fire -- which joined MLS as part of the league's first round of expansion back in 1998 -- are set to play three matches against the two newest expansion clubs in MLS. The Fire will get an early first look at Atlanta United FC with a visit to Bobby Dodd Stadium on March 18 and will welcome Gerardo Martinez' side to Toyota Park on Saturday, June 10. The Fire will need to wait until 2018 for its inaugural MLS visit to Minneapolis, as Chicago is set to host Minnesota United FC for a cross-conference tilt on Saturday, Aug. 26.

2017 Chicago Fire Schedule: View | Download

Early Exams

As the season hits full swing in late April, the Men In Red will dive headfirst into a run of matchups with many of 2016's heavy-hitters in MLS. Consecutive road trips to Toronto FC (April 21), New York Red Bulls (April 29) and LA Galaxy (May 6) precede home dates with MLS Cup champion Seattle Sounders FC (May 13) and Colorado Rapids (May 17). Add in the May 31 tilt with FC Dallas, and a seven-game span will see the Fire face five of the top six clubs from last year's Supporters' Shield standings. Certainly, every year brings new circumstances across the league, but that's likely to remain an early stretch to test Chicago's mettle.

Summer Sizzle

Even with a travel-heavy schedule for July and a league-wide break for the CONCACAF Gold Cup (July 7-16), Chicago's 2017 schedule is still packed with prime dates and matchups to enjoy a summer setting at Toyota Park. The Fire host a trio of home Saturday contests in the run-up to the Gold Cup break (vs. Atlanta, Orlando City SC and Vancouver) and three more in August (vs. New England, Toronto FC and Minnesota).

Multiplicity

The introduction of Atlanta United FC and Minnesota United FC means a reduced number of conference opponents which the Fire will face three times. This year, that pool of teams is limited to: Montreal (two away, one home) New England (two home, one away) and Columbus (two away, one home).

East Meets West on Decision Day

Once again in 2017, Major League Soccer will end the regular season with a bang, staging 11 simultaneous matches at 3 p.m. CT on the now-annual soccer bonanza known as Decision Day. With an uneven number of clubs in each conference, the Chicago Fire join the Houston Dynamo with the distinction of being the only clubs to play a cross-conference contest on the season's final matchday. The Men In Red will travel to BBVA Compass Stadium for their annual clash on Sunday, Oct. 22.

Check out the Chicago Fire FC Statistics



Major League Soccer Stories from January 12, 2017


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