MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire Weekly Update: Bye Week for the Fire, Training Schedule, and FIFA International Window

Published on September 6, 2023 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


A WEEK OFF FOR CHICAGO FIRE FC

After playing three matches in seven days, including their most recent away match against D.C. United this past Saturday, Chicago Fire FC will have a break from League play this weekend due to the FIFA international window. Entering the break, the Fire sit in 10th place in the Eastern Conference standings, just one point below the playoff line.

In the match against D.C., forward Kei Kamara notched his 415th appearance in MLS regular season play, which ranks as the fourth-most appearances in MLS history. With seven matches remaining in the 2023 regular season, the Fire will resume training this week at SeatGeek Stadium to prepare for their next match against CF Montréal at Stade Saputo on Saturday, Sept. 20.

INTERNATIONAL BREAK FOR CHICAGO FIRE FC!

Chicago Fire FC has four players representing their respective home countries in the FIFA international window, including Designated Player Xherdan Shaqiri (Switzerland), defender Miguel Navarro (Venezuela), Young Designated Player Jairo Torres (Mexico), and Georgios Koutsias (Greece). Additionally, Chicago Fire FC II forward Omari Glasgow was also called up for international duty (Guyana).

Shaqiri joins his home country of Switzerland in Matchday 5 and 6 of the EURO 2024 qualifiers. In their first match of the window, Switzerland will face Kosovo on Saturday, Sept. 9 at 1:45 p.m. CT at the Pristina City Stadium in Pristina, Kosovo. Just three days later, La Nati will face Andorra on Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 1:45 p.m. CT at the Stade de Tourbillon in Sion, Switzerland to conclude qualifying play for this break. As it stands, Switzerland leads the Group I leaderboard with a record of 3-0-1 and 10 points, sitting above Romania who has eight points.

Navarro, will make yet another appearance for Venezuela as they take part in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers during this upcoming international window. Navarro and the Vinotinto will open their slate against Colombia on Thursday, Sept. 7 at 6 p.m. CT at the Estadio Metropolitano in Barranquilla, Colombia. The following week, they play host to Paraguay on Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 5 p.m. CT at the Monumental Stadium of Maturín in Monagas, Venezuela.

Torres was called to the Mexico U-23 Men's National Team by newly appointed head coach Ricardo Cadena for two friendly matches against the Colombia U-23 team. The two sides will square off for the first time at 7 p.m. CT on Saturday, Sept. 9 at the Estadio Tlahuicole in Tlaxcala, Mexico. The second match of the series will take place at 11 a.m. CT on Tuesday, Sept. 12 at the Mexican Federation's Centro de Alto Rendimiento in Mexico City.

The Greece U-21 Men's National Team continues UEFA U-21 Championship qualifying. Greece was placed into Group G with Andorra, Belarus, the Faroe Islands, Portugal and Croatia. Koutsias joins Greece for a match against Andorra at 12 p.m. CT on Tuesday, Sept. 12 at the Estadio Nacional in Andorra la Vella, Andorra.

Finally, Glasgow will join Guyana's senior team as they begin their journey in the CONCACAF Nations League tournament. The Golden Jaguars will participate in their first two matchdays of the competition, beginning with their opener against Antigua and Barbusda on Saturday, Sept. 9 at 2:30 p.m. CT at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua and Barduda. Guyana rounds out their League B Group D action when they host Bahamas on Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 5 p.m. CT at the Synthetic Track and Field Facility in Leonora, Guyana.

FIRE II ON THE CUSP OF THE POSTSEASON

Chicago Fire FC II recently observed a bye weekend, but had results fall in their favor. As Chicago head into final three matches of the regular season, their magic number to clinch a postseason berth is six. The Fire II are currently four points inside of the playoff line with 37 points, sitting in seventh above Philadelphia Union II and NYCFC II who have 33. If both teams lose, and Chicago claims a victory in regulation, the Fire will clinch their first playoff berth in franchise history since the inception of MLS NEXT Pro in 2021-2022.

The Fire head to Missouri this weekend, facing Sporting Kansas City II on Sunday, Sept. 10 at 4 p.m. CT at the Mercy Victory Field in Kansas City, Mo. The Fire will be without one of their strongest attackers, with forward Omari Glasgow set to miss the match due to his participation in CONCACAF Nations League play with Guyana.

Chicago is led by the scoring prowess of midfielder and 2023 MLS SuperDraft pick Billy Hency, who is currently leading the Fire II Golden Boot race with seven goals this season. Additionally, the team is recieving key contributions from defender Charlie Ostrem and midfielder Luka Prpa. Prpa currently leads the team in assists with seven, while Ostrem is tied for third in scoring on the team with five finishes of his own.

The Fire II's playoff push continues this weekend, and the match can be streamed for free on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.

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Major League Soccer Stories from September 6, 2023


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