It’s the final day of the 2023 Major League Soccer season. Though the Chicago Fire could have clinched a playoff spot in their previous game, at home against Charlotte back on October 7 before the international break and things are bad, really bad, there is still a chance for the Fire to clinch their spot in the playoffs.
No matter what, they absolutely must win at New York City FC this evening. ¡Esta noche, tenemos que ganar! Do that and there’s still a chance, but even with a win it’s out of our hands.
1 – Chicago Fire FC WIN at NYCFC AND CF Montréal LOSS/DRAW at Columbus Crew
2 – Chicago Fire FC WIN at NYCFC AND New York Red Bulls LOSS/DRAW at Nashville SC
3 – Chicago Fire FC WIN at NYCFC AND Chicago Fire FC advantage in tiebreakers over New York Red Bulls
4 – Chicago Fire FC DRAW at NYCFC AND New York Red Bulls LOSS at Nashville SC AND Charlotte FC LOSS/DRAW vs. Inter Miami CF
Four different ways, but we’re looking for just one of these to hit.
That’s a whole lot of ifs. Victory in Queens will itself be a formidable task. The weird dynamics of the current Fire team are really what call things into question. Which Fire team will show up? Will they show up?!
Was thinking of getting out of the house to a watch party, but with the game just over two hours away, I just don’t see that actually happening.
After the game, though, I do still hope to high-tail it up to tonight’s other big Chicago soccer event: third round US Open Cup qualifier game, Edgewater Castle FC versus Chicago House AC tonight at 7 PM at Taft High School’s turf field, 6530 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Chicago. The game with also be shown on Edgewater Castle’s YouTube channel. Hoping for a House win in that one!