The winless Chicago Fire visit undefeated DC United on Saturday at Audi Field in Washington, D.C.
The Fire have opened the 2022 season with consecutive goalless draws at Inter Miami and against Orlando City SC. Chicago goalkeeper Gaga Slonina, who is only 17, had a 1.5 expected goals against (four saves) in Miami and 0.2 xGA against Orlando.
The Fire could have Federico Navarro in the lineup in DC. Carlos Terán, who has missed the first two matches with a hamstring injury, is close to a return, according to first-year Fire manager Ezra Hendrickson.
[Hendrickson: Goals will come for Fire]
Chicago’s offense hasn’t generated much, with Gaston Giménez, Fabian Herbers, and Kacper Przybylko each creating only four scoring attempts this season. Przybylko and Stanislav Ivanov have each put two scoring attempts on target. The Fire’s attack hasn’t produced enough vertically thanks in part to a lack of speed.
On the other side of the pitch, DC United is off to a perfect start with two straight shutout wins for the first time in club history behind Bill Hamid. The 31-year-old goalkeeper made six saves in a 1-0 win against FC Cincinnati, then his defense stymied Charlotte FC to zero shots on goal in a 3-0 victory.
Ola Kamara scored on a penalty kick in the eighth minute of second-half stoppage time against Cincinnati. Kamara scored again, and Michael Estrada added two of his own against Charlotte.
Series history
The series sits at 26-26-21, after the Fire went 0-2-1 against DC United this past season. Chicago has struggled lately in DC, dropping seven of its last nine matches in the nation’s capital.
How to Watch
What: Chicago Fire at DC United
When:Â 6:30 PM CT, Saturday
Where: Audi Field; Washington, D.C.
TV: WGN-TV
Live Stream:Â MLS Live on ESPN+, CF97 Live
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