Match Preview: Atlanta United vs. Chicago Fire
October 20, 2018 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Atlanta United FC News Release
ATLANTA - Atlanta United returns to action on Sunday, Oct. 21 when it hosts Chicago Fire at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Atlanta enters the match in first place in the Supporters' Shield race (20-6-6, 66 points) while Chicago sits in tenth place in the Eastern Conference (8-17-7, 31 points). The match, presented by AT&T, is scheduled to kick-off at 3 p.m. EST and will be nationally televised on ESPN.
Atlanta maintains a one-point lead at the top of the league standings heading into the final two matches of the regular season and needs one point to secure a bid in the 2019 CONCACAF Champions League as the American team with the highest point total over the 2017 and 2018 MLS regular seasons. The combination of an Atlanta United win and a New York Red Bulls loss would clinch the Supporters' Shield.
Atlanta is coming off a 2-1 win over New England Revolution at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Oct. 6. George Bello, Atlanta's 16-year-old Homegrown left back, scored his first career MLS goal in just his second start in the 17th minute on a pass from Leandro González Pirez. Julian Gressel added his fourth goal of the season in the 52nd minute, assisted by Tito Villalba.
Chicago Fire lost 2-1 to D.C. United at Audi Field on Oct. 7. Raheem Edwards scored the game's opening goal in the 51st minute for Chicago, however Wayne Rooney scored twice in the final half hour, including the game-winning penalty in the 81st minute to complete a D.C. comeback.
Prior to Sunday's match, Atlanta United's Special Olympics Unified Team will host Chicago Fire's Unified Team in an equalizer match. Chicago Unified won the first exchange in May, and Atlanta is looking to draw the series against its fellow eastern conference opponent. The Special Olympics Unified Match will kick off at 12:32pm prior to gates opening for the first team match. Fans are encouraged to arrive when gates open to catch the second half of the Unified Match.
MATCH INFORMATION
Sunday, Oct. 21 Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA |3 p.m. (EST)
Atlanta United (20-6-6, 66 points) vs. Chicago Fire (8-17-7, 31 points)
BROADCAST SCHEDULE
English TV | ESPN
Spanish Radio | La Mejor 1600 AM
English Radio | 92-9 The Game (local)
Pre-match coverage:
2 p.m.: AT&T Countdown to Kickoff (FB Live/Periscope)
2:30 p.m.: The Pre-Game show (92-9 The Game)
Major League Soccer Stories from October 20, 2018
- Three Points: Dynamo Wrap up Home Slate against Seattle Sunday - Houston Dynamo FC
- Game Notes: Sounders FC at Houston Dynamo - October 21, 2018 - Seattle Sounders FC
- Real Salt Lake Eyes Playoff-Clinching Win on the Road against the Portland Timbers - Real Salt Lake
- LAFC Hosts Vancouver Whitecaps FC in Last Regular Season Home Game - Los Angeles FC
- Match Preview: Atlanta United vs. Chicago Fire - Atlanta United FC
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