Chicago Fire FC defender/midfielder Mauricio Pineda was named to the MLS Team of the Matchday, and midfielder Fabian Herbers was named to the MLS Team of the Matchday bench for Matchday 24, following their performances in the 1-0 win against Nashville SC on Saturday, July 8, at Soldier Field.
The versatile Pineda started the match as a centerback, lining up next to captain Rafael Czichos. With the Fire ahead 1-0 in the 64th minute, Pineda shifted seamlessly into the midfield to help maintain the Club’s fifth clean sheet of the season and earn three points at home. Pineda was tied for first on the team with 62 touches during the match, completing three clearances and three interceptions.
Herbers provided the game-winner in the 33rd minute when he scored his third goal in the last four matches. He carried the ball up the right flank and played a pass wide for Maren Haile-Selassie. The Swiss midfielder passed it back to the top of the box, where Herbers had continued his run. The German midfielder sent a laser toward the net, firing past goalkeeper Joe Willis for his fourth goal of the MLS regular season, and his fifth goal across all competitions in 2023 for the Fire.
With the victory, Chicago moves up to 11th place in the Eastern Conference, just below the playoff line tied with New York Red Bulls (10th place) and CF Montréal (ninth place) with 26 points.
The Fire will continue their homestand with the second of three consecutive home matches, facing off against CF Montréal at 7:30 p.m. CT on Wednesday, July 12 at Soldier Field. During Wednesday’s match, transport yourself to a galaxy far, far away as the Club hosts “Star Wars Night.” A special Stormtrooper bobblehead will be given away to the first 2,500 Jedi and Sith to enter the stadium, and throughout the match fans will be treated to special Star Wars-themed entertainment. The match will be broadcast on Apple TV+, streamed in English on wlsam.com and transmitted locally in Spanish on TUDN 1200 AM.
