Can the Chicago Fire Still Make the Playoffs?
It seems that the goal every single season for the past decade has been to make the playoffs.
Not content, not win the MLS Cup, just simply make the playoffs.
Seems like a simple goal, right? In a league where over half the teams make the playoffs and only the bottom handful of each conference are left out, one would think it can’t be too hard to be mediocre every now and then and find yourself in the playoffs.
But for the Men in Red, this is easier said than done, given that they are in a playoff drought that started in 2017 and have not won a playoff game since 2009.
That’s enough negativity, though—let’s examine whether our boys can still make the playoffs and end this drought.
The short answer is yes. With six games left and six points behind the last current playoff spot (DC United), it is totally possible mathematically.
The long answer is a bit more pessimistic. They are in horrible form right now; it’s hard to sugarcoat things and put it any other way when we have one point to show for our last six games in all competitions. So, while it is possible, Chicago has to flip the switch overnight as they are running out of time to fix things.
PHOTO: Patrick Gorski/Imagn Images
And that doesn’t mean stealing a point in the next couple of games – that means taking all three and doing it for a string of consecutive games. Nashville is technically in last place (tied on points with Fire) but has played one less game, so the Fire are arguably in the worst situation in the Eastern Conference.
So, with all that said, a Fire fan shouldn’t be too hopeful as it stands. However, with an unexpected win against a quality NYRB side tomorrow, the Fire could be back in business, helped by other results from teams in similar situations.
The teams to watch and root against for the rest of the season are every team in spots 8-15, as only 7 points separate Toronto (8th) and Nashville (15th). It’s also worth pointing out that two matches against Nashville are coming up, which serves as a great opportunity to get a potential six points against a team that, at the moment, could be considered to be struggling more than the Fire.
The Fire will attempt to salvage their season starting tomorrow by taking all the points in a Home-field advantage match against NYRB.
The game will be played at 7:30 PM Central time at Soldier Field.
PHOTO: Patrick Gorski/Imagn Images
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