Houston Dynamo vs Chicago Fire preview: How to watch, kick-off time, team news, predicted lineups, and ones to watch

Two inconsistent MLS sides face off on Saturday night as the Houston Dynamo hosts the Chicago Fire at PNC Stadium.

Houston’s recent slide continued this past weekend, this time losing to Orlando City 2-1. They went down two before the hour mark after an Ercan Kara brace, and even though Carlos Ferreira pulled one back a minute later, the Dynamo could not find an equalizer before all was said and done. That result kept them further from the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, and if they don’t turn things back around soon, then they might fall entirely out of contention.

Chicago, meanwhile, finally ended their winless run with a victory at home against fellow bottom-dweller D.C. United. The game was an even and ugly one, and the only goal of the contest came with about 10 minutes to go when Fabian Herbers flicked on a header across the goal line. It was enough for the Fire to secure three big points, and now they’ll look to ride this newfound wave of momentum into the summer months.

Team news

The two teams could not be more different when it comes to player availability.

Houston has a clean bill of health, so everyone will be available for selection.

Chicago, on the other hand, is going through a bit of an injury crisis at the moment. The likes of Chris Brady, Kendall Burks, Miguel Navarro, Wyatt Omsberg, Mauricio Pineda, Missael Rodríguez, and Jairo Torres have all been ruled out, while Carlos Terán is a doubt.

Predicted lineups

Houston Dynamo: Clark, Zeca, Parker, Hadebe, Lundqvist, Bartlow, Vera, Baird, Rodríguez, Quintero, Ferreira

Chicago Fire: Slonina, Sekulić, Terán, Czichos, Bornstein, F. Navarro, Giménez, Herbers, Shaqiri, Mueller, Przybyłko

Ones to watch

Darwin Quintero
This might not be the most logical choice.

Darwin Quintero has struggled this campaign, especially as of late. Four goals from the first six games of the season was an impressive start, but since then, it’s all kind of gone downhill. He’s only gotten one goal contribution since, and his downturn in form has led to Houston struggling as well. He’s not started any of his team’s last three games, coming on as a substitute at half-time in each of the last two.

However, despite all that, there’s just something about the attacker. Joining MLS in 2018, his transfer to Minnesota United was a pretty big deal at the time. He had been a dangerous player for Mexican powerhouse Club América, and he proved his talent with the Loons early on.

Things kind of tailed off for Quintero near the end of his stay there, but business picked back up for a bit when he joined the Dynamo. He’s been one of the their few bright spots since 2020, and there was hope that he could help this year’s outfit make the playoffs.

That’s no longer looking as likely, but crazier things have happened. The Colombian still has some magic left in his boots, even if he’s going to be turning 35 in September, so there’s a chance that everything could change this weekend. Maybe he’ll dribble past a number of defenders to open up space for a teammate in a dangerous area, or maybe he’ll just go for goal himself no matter the distance.

There’s just as good of a chance that he goes missing once again, but where’s the fun in forecasting that? Houston needs a spark, and if anyone’s going to provide it, it’s probably going to be Quintero.

Xherdan Shaqiri
“Guess who’s back? Back again? Xherdan Shaqiri’s back. Tell a friend.”

Shaqiri’s not been out for too long, as an injury picked up on international duty only ruled him out for one contest, but his return will still be an anticipated one.

Chicago did not look great without him against D.C. United. The frontline lacked true creativity going forward, and no one was really able to create chances on their own. The only goal they scored was an unorthodox one, so no one should expect them to score more in that fashion.

With Shaqiri back in the lineup, the Fire has an attacking spark again. Everyone already knows about his talent, as he’s able to beat a defender off the dribble at any given moment, and he can score a screamer from a number of different angles. Long story short, he’s a game-changer.

That’s not to say he’s been truly great this season, though. The Swiss international has failed to light up the league, only scoring three goals and dishing out two assists, with just one of those goals coming from the run of play. It’s not all been his fault, to be fair, as he’s not gotten much help, and he’s being used out of position.

None of that really matters right now. Chicago is going to need him this weekend, as they’ll be on the road with a pretty banged-up roster. Shaqiri is probably going to have to make something out of nothing if his team wants any chance of getting a result. Can he do that and start justifying his lofty wage in the process? Only time will tell.

Last time out

It’s been nearly two years since these two sides last faced off.

That contest took place near the end of the cursed 2020 campaign, and it wasn’t really much of a contest at all.

Chicago, who were at home, opened the scoring at the quarter-hour mark. A high-press led to them winning the ball in a dangerous area, and Jonathan Bornstein ultimately drilled in a cross that picked out the run of Robert Berić. He made no mistake with the finish, volleying home from close range.

They doubled their advantage just eight minutes later. Ignacio Aliseda did almost everything to create the goal, settling a loose ball in midfield before driving forward with it and slipping Fabian Herbers through on goal. The German then did the rest, slotting the ball past an onrushing goalkeeper.

It was three before half-time, all but sealing the result for the Fire. This one was the pick of the bunch, as Álvaro Medrán got on the ball and just kept going and going and going. He eventually made his way into the box, and he finished off the play with a smart low finish.

A CJ Sapong penalty late on made it four before the night was done, sealing an emphatic victory for Chicago in style.