Chicago Fire FC will play its first two matches in the MLS is Back Tournament this week at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Fla.
The Fire will begin play in Group B on Tuesday, July 14 against defending MLS Cup champions Seattle Sounders FC. Scheduled to begin at 8:00 a.m. CT, the match will be televised nationally on ESPN and ESPN Deportes and transmitted locally in Spanish on TUDN 1200AM.
Chicago will play its second group stage match against the San Jose Earthquakes on Sunday, July 19 at 7:00 p.m. CT (FS1, TUDN, TUDN 1200AM). The Fire’s “Drive-In Matchday, presented by Continental Tire” will be held for the match versus San Jose. The event will take place on the Waldron Parking Deck at Soldier Field. Parking lots will open at 5:30 p.m. CT. For more information, click here.
Originally set to compete in Group A, the Fire joined Group B after MLS announced an updated format and schedule for the MLS is Back Tournament, and that Nashville SC have been withdrawn from the competition. As a result, the MLS is Back Tournament now consists of six groups, with four teams in each group.
Tuesday’s match will mark the second meeting between the Fire and Sounders FC this season. Chicago previously faced Seattle in its first game of the 2020 MLS regular season on March 1, narrowly falling 2-1 at CenturyLink Field in Seattle. Forward Robert Berić scored his first career MLS goal to give the Fire the lead early in the second half, but Seattle managed to equalize in the 63rd minute before scoring a second goal in the third minute of second half stoppage time.
In their last five matches against the Earthquakes, the Fire have produced a 3-2-0 regular season record, dating back to the 2015 campaign. The July 19 tournament match will be the first contest between the two teams in 2020.
Sounders FC and San Jose played in the first Group B matchup of the MLS is Back Tournament on Friday night, battling to a 0-0 draw at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. With the result, both teams currently rank tied for first place in Group B, with one point apiece. Prior to facing the Fire on July 19, San Jose will take on Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Wednesday, July 15 at 9:30 p.m. CT (TUDN, Twitter).
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Chicago Fire Team Schedule (July 13-19)
Monday, July 13
Training at 7:00 a.m. CT at ESPN Wide World of Sports
Tuesday, July 14
Chicago Fire FC vs. Seattle Sounders FC at ESPN Wide World of Sports at 8:00 a.m. CT
Wednesday, July 15
Training at 9:30 a.m. CT at ESPN Wide World of Sports
Thursday, July 16
Off day
Friday, July 17
Training at 7:00 p.m. CT at ESPN Wide World of Sports
Saturday, July 18
Training at 7:00 p.m. CT at ESPN Wide World of Sports
Sunday, July 19
Training at 9:30 a.m. CT at ESPN Wide World of Sports
Chicago Fire FC vs. San Jose Earthquakes at ESPN Wide World of Sports at 7:00 p.m. CT