Brooms are on the doorstep
June was a good month for D.C. United against the Chicago Fire, and while the temperatures rose en route to another blistering summer, the Black-and-Red kept the Fire quite cool, beating the Windy City side twice and outscoring them 4-1. D.C. United look to complete the sweep on Sunday at 2 p.m.
When the two teams first faced off on June 3, a Jairo Arrieta brace propelled D.C. United into the lead after David Accam scored for the Fire in the first half. Conor Doyle rounded off the scoring in the 75th minute, and United went on to take home all three points.
Three weeks later, the Fire played host to the Black-and-Red, who came out on top again thanks to a “laser” of a goal from Doyle. The midfielder hit a one-time shot from around 25 yards out into the upper 90, a ball which Fire ‘keeper Sean Johnson had no chance of stopping.
Fire Iced on the Road
The 2015 MLS season has not been the easiest for Chicago. They currently sit in last place in the Eastern Conference with 30 points from 32 games. Frank Yallop was dismissed as head coach on Sept. 20, and technical director Brian Bliss was appointed interim head coach. The trip to RFK Stadium is the Fire’s only remaining road match, and serves as the lone chance for Bliss to try and lead the team to victory away from home. The Fire are winless in 16 games on the road this season (11 losses).
New Faces on Both Sides
Since the two teams have played, both sides have added attacking reinforcements. Álvaro Saborío came in from Real Salt Lake in July, and Chicago claimed Designated Player Gilberto from waivers 11 days later. The Costa Rican has scored three goals for the Black-and-Red (including a game-winner against NYCFC), while Chicago’s Brazilian has scored four goals and added two assists. Gilberto did not practice on Thursday after suffering a thigh injury against the Revolution, according to the Fire, and it remains to be seen whether he will be fit to play on Sunday.
Kickoff from RFK Stadium is 2 p.m., and you can watch on CSN, or follow along on D.C. United's Matchday Twitter account.
