Our prediction for this MLS match:
Chicago Fire and New York City square off against each other at Soldier Field in what is expected to be a close MLS game. Chicago Fire do not seem to be at their sharpest ahead of Thursday’s clash as they failed to win the previous four league fixtures, and it is no wonder the bookies see them as underdogs. Since Raphael Wicky’s men failed to find the net in four of their last five MLS games, home win should not be considered.
All Calvo, Gutierrez, and Kronholm are likely to miss the midweek showdown with injuries. The Blue Pigeons, on the other hand, aim to bounce back from a heart-breaking loss to New York Red Bulls. New York City are eager to melt Nashville’s advantage in the Eastern Conference, and they should take advantage of Chicago Fire’s poor form. There should be no absentees in the away team.
Highlighted Player (Francisco Calvo):
Francisco Calvo is a product of Sarprissa football academy. The Costa Rica international started his senior career at his homeland club Herediano, playing as a defender. Calvo played for the likes of Perez Zeledon, Nordsjaelland, Santos and Sarprissa before joining Minnesota United in 2017 and it has to be noted that he made his MLS debut on March 4, 2017 in a 5-1 loss to Portland Timbers.
The Costa Rica defender quickly proved his worth in the Major League Soccer and in 2018 he was selected as an MLS All-Star, becoming the first ever Loons player to receive the honour. As for his international career, Francisco Calvo made his Costa Rica debut on July 2, 2011 in a Copa America loss to Colombia.
The Minnesota United man is used as both centre and left back and his preferred foot is left. Calvo was born in San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, on July 8, 1992.
Highlighted Team (New York City):
New York City are an American soccer club and they have been competing in Major League Soccer since 2015. The Pigeons play their home games at Yankee Stadium and they are the second club in New York after the New York Red Bulls.
Famous Arsenal player Patrick Vieira took over the reins in January, 2016 and he helped the team finish the season in second place in the Eastern Conference. However, they were totally outclassed by Toronto FC (0-7 on aggregate) in the conference semifinals.
New York City chiefs have been pumping up a lot of money into the squad ever since the team began play in MLS and it has to be noted that the likes of Andrea Pirlo and David Villa played for the Pigeons in the 2016 season. New York City footballers wear sky blue shirts when playing at home, while the colour of the team’s away kit is dark blue.
Companies City Football Group (80%) and Yankee Global Enterprises own the club.