Sando Schwarz described this stage of the MLS season as “prime time” for a playoff push as his New York Red Bull team seek to solidify their place in the postseason.
After edging an eight-goal thriller against the New England Revolution, the Red Bulls were thumped 5-1 by Inter Miami last time out, with Lionel Messi starring once again.
It is a result that leaves them occupying the final playoff place in the Eastern Conference, one point ahead of this weekend’s opponents, the Chicago Fire.
And while Schwarz acknowledged the significance of their upcoming fixture, he insisted that should his team not get a positive result, it would not define their season.
“It’s always pressure,” Schwarz said. “Not only because of the table, but also because of our own goals. We know that this is an important part of the season.
“It’s prime time in the season, and we know our spot in the table. It is a very important game, but in the end, this is not a final in terms of qualification for the playoffs.
“But I agree, it’s an important game, and we have to show our face, our quality and also our mentality to allow us to win the game and get all three points.”
Focus shifts to Chicago
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Chicago, meanwhile, built on their draw with Atlanta United with an impressive 2-0 victory over CF Montreal last time out, thanks to goals from Hugo Cuypers and Jack Elliott.
That triumph moved them up to 32 points after 23 games of their season, surpassing their entire points haul from the 2024 campaign when they finished rock bottom of the East.
And while happy with that achievement, Fire head coach Gregg Berhalter said his players would not be celebrating the result, with the playoffs their goal this term.
“I mean, I think for us, we’re focused on making a playoff push, and we’re not there yet. It’s not time to celebrate things like that,” Berhalter said.
To me, it’s important that we can win, we can win away from home, and that’s what we’re focused on.
“To me, the most important thing was the effort based on what we’ve been going through lately in terms of match load.
“We asked the guys to dig deep and push, and they did a great job, and to get the win, to be undefeated in Canada this year is good.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Chicago Fire – Philip Zinckernagel
Zinckernagel recorded his 10th assist of the season in Chicago’s win over Montreal on Saturday to go along with 10 goals.
He is the first player in the Fire’s MLS history to record 10 goals and 10 assists in a single MLS season, and has shown no signs of stopping there.
NYRB – Emil Forsberg
Despite being brought back down to earth after their defeat to Miami, NRYB will be hoping Forsberg can lead their response at Soldier Field this weekend.
The Swede has created more chances (42) than any of his team-mates in the MLS this season, while also contributing to a team-high 15 goals (nine goals, six assists) so far.
MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW
The Red Bulls earned a 2-1 home win over Chicago on April 4, snapping a five-match winless run in the series (D3 L2). They have not won consecutive regular-season matches against the Fire since a three-match run that spanned the 2015 and 2016 seasons, though.
And they have totalled just two wins in their last 21 regular-season away matches dating back to May 2024 (D8 L11), including recording just one road win this year. New York won three road matches during the 2024 playoffs en route to reaching the MLS Cup Final.
Chicago, meanwhile, have won only two of their last 12 regular-season home matches going back to September 2024 (D5 L5). The Fire have lost three of their last four at home (W1) after losing just two of their previous nine league matches at Soldier Field (W2 D5).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Chicago Fire – 37%
Draw – 26.3%
NYRB – 36.7%
