Chicago Fire Chi vs New York Red Bulls Ny Picks and Predictions September 14th 2024

New York Red Bulls Look for an Offensive Boost Against Struggling Chicago Fire

The New York Red Bulls are heading to Soldier Field this Saturday, looking to lock down their playoff spot as they face a struggling Chicago Fire squad. With only six games left in the regular season, every point counts for the Red Bulls, who are aiming for home-field advantage in the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Chicago Fire are just playing for pride, hoping to bounce back from a disappointing season and possibly throw a wrench in New York’s plans.

New York Red Bulls: Turning Draws Into Wins

The Red Bulls (10-5-13, 43 points) currently sit in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, holding a solid four-point lead over fifth-place NYCFC. But despite their position in the standings, it hasn’t been smooth sailing. With 13 draws, more than any other team in the league, the Red Bulls have struggled to turn their defensive efforts into wins.

Their most recent game, a 1-1 draw with Sporting Kansas City, perfectly captured their season-long struggles. The Red Bulls’ defense held firm, but they couldn’t create enough attacking chances. They needed a last-minute equalizer from Julian Hall, who came off the bench in the 81st minute and saved the day in the 89th.

While Hall’s heroics were a positive sign, head coach Sandro Schwarz knows that his team has to do more in the attacking third. “It was crucial to get that equalizer, but we need to be better at finishing games,” Schwarz said after the Kansas City match. “If we want to climb in the standings, we can’t rely on last-minute goals.”

The last time the Red Bulls faced the Fire, it ended in a 0-0 draw. This time, New York is looking to finally break through and find some consistency in front of goal.

Chicago Fire: Tightening Up the Defense

The Chicago Fire (6-14-8, 26 points) are having a season to forget. They’re currently 14th in the Eastern Conference and have been winless in their last four matches, with three losses and one draw. Their last two home games were back-to-back losses, and the most recent came against D.C. United, where they fell 2-1 after conceding two quick goals in just three minutes.

Despite getting a goal from Andrew Gutman to pull one back, the Fire managed only one shot in the final 36 minutes, showing just how tough things have been for them offensively.

Coach Frank Klopas has made it clear that his team’s improvement has to start with the defense. “It’s all about clean sheets for us,” Klopas said. “Mistakes are going to happen, but our reaction needs to be quicker and more focused.”

The Fire have moved Arnaud Souquet from fullback to center back, and he’s been solid, helping the team earn five clean sheets in his 20 appearances. But even with Souquet’s strong play, the Fire’s defense has been vulnerable at critical moments, which has cost them valuable points.

Key Factors to Watch in This Match

Red Bulls’ Offensive Struggles

While the Red Bulls’ defense has been one of the best in the league, their attack has left much to be desired. Julian Hall’s late-game impact is promising, but New York needs more from their frontline. Players like Elias Manoel and Tom Barlow will have to step up and start finding the back of the net more consistently if they hope to avoid any more frustrating draws.

Chicago’s Defensive Discipline

For Chicago, the focus is squarely on defense. Coach Klopas knows his team won’t win many shootouts, so the Fire will need to stay tight at the back and avoid the lapses that have hurt them all season. Souquet’s leadership in defense is key, and he’ll need to marshal his backline to keep New York at bay.

Playoff Stakes for the Red Bulls

With just six games left, the Red Bulls are fighting to secure home-field advantage in the playoffs. They’ve relied on their defense to keep them in games, but to make a serious run in the postseason, they’ll need to find more goals. Every point is crucial as they try to solidify a top-four finish in the Eastern Conference.

Chicago’s Role as Spoilers

Though the Fire are out of the playoff picture, they still have the potential to disrupt the plans of teams like the Red Bulls. Playing at home, they’ll be eager to tighten up defensively and catch New York on the break. If they can frustrate the Red Bulls and capitalize on any mistakes, they could make life difficult for their visitors.

Prediction: A Must-Win Opportunity for the Red Bulls

This matchup gives the Red Bulls a golden opportunity to capitalize on Chicago’s poor form. With the Fire’s defensive struggles and lack of offensive firepower, New York has a great chance to turn one of their many draws into a much-needed win.

However, the Red Bulls can’t afford to be complacent. Chicago may be down, but they’re not out. If the Fire can put in a strong defensive performance and catch New York off guard on the counter-attack, they could steal a result and throw a wrench in the Red Bulls’ playoff plans.

Conclusion: Red Bulls Chasing Playoff Security, Fire Playing for Pride

For the New York Red Bulls, this game is all about locking down a playoff spot and securing home-field advantage. To do that, they’ll need to find some offensive rhythm and start turning their defensive efforts into wins. Meanwhile, the Chicago Fire are playing with nothing to lose, looking to end their season on a high note by frustrating teams like New York and possibly playing the spoiler.

With both teams having very different goals, this promises to be a hard-fought game. The Red Bulls will hope to walk away with three points, while the Fire aim to give their fans something to cheer about in what’s been a tough season.