The Seattle Sounders and Chicago Fire find themselves in completely different positions in Major League Soccer. The Sounders are atop the Western Conference, while the Fire sit at the bottom of the East. But they’re both on losing ruts in recent weeks making this a must-win game for both teams. Can Seattle flash its brilliance at the expense of the Fire? Read on as we breakdown the MLS match to come.
For more on Saturday night soccer action, check out our complete preview of the New York Red Bulls vs. New England Revolution match.
[sc:Soccer ]Chicago Fire vs. Seattle Sounders FC Preview
Where: Toyota Park, Bridgeview, IL
When: Saturday, July 11, 8:30 PM ET
Line: Chicago Fire -102 vs. Seattle Sounders FC +240, tie +220; total 2.5 – view all MLS lines
Betting on the Chicago Fire
Patrick Nyarko ended the Chicago Fire’s 285-minute goalless drought, scoring the equalizer late in Friday’s 1-1 draw against Houston. The draw ended the Fire’s four-game losing streak, but Chicago may be stifled in this upcoming match yet again. The Fire have scored the second-least goals (18) in the league, while the Sounders have one of the best defenses — conceding just 18 times this season.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]The absence of leading goal scorers Jeff Larentowicz (herniated disk) and David Accam (left hamstring injury) don’t give much confidence for the struggling Fire. Larentowicz and Accam have combined to score eight of Chicago’s 18 goals this season.
With the two gone, Harry Shipp, team captain Razvan Cocis and Kennedy Igboananike have to step up to breathe some life into the Chicago offense. Shipp is the Fire’s best playmaker with a team-high four assists this season. Cocis is an important field general as a defensive midfielder but may find himself extending more on the opponents’ side to help in the attack. Meanwhile, Igboananike will be the Fire’s main man on the attack with two goals this season.
The Fire may have struggled with their offense recently, but they’ll fancy their chances against a Seattle team which has lost three straight on the road heading into this match.
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Betting on the Seattle Sounders FC
The Seattle Sounders had been in a three-match losing funk, but Tyrone Mears netted a much-needed 88th-minute goal to lift the Sounders to a 1-0 win over D.C. United. Don’t let that final score fool you, as the Sounders had plenty of attempts to net the winner (16 of them to be exact) but just couldn’t get the ball past United.
Lamar Neagle had four shots, while Chad Barrett had three. The two of them power the Seattle attacking front while leading goal scorers Clint Dempsey (international duty) and Obafemi Martins (injury) remain out of the lineup. Neagle has four goals this season, while Barrett has three. They should have some support from midfield in Andy Rose, as the Englishman leads the Sounders with three assists this season.
While the Sounders’ offense has taken a hit with the absence of stars, the defense hasn’t been tight on the road either. Seattle has allowed six goals in its last three matches on the road, four of which came in its last match at Portland.
But the Sounders should fancy their chances against an anemic Chicago side. Seattle has never lost to the Fire in nine all-time league matches. The two also met in a U.S. Open match last year with the Sounders walking away as 6-0 winners.
Writer’s Prediction
The Sounders (+240) squeak by with a 1-0 win.
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