MLS:
 

Very little interest in team news now, it is all about motivation, the play off picture, tiredness and all those familiar, end of season factors......

 

 

Seattle Sounders- Chicago Fire

 

Chicago Fire did finally break that dismal road record last month winning 3-0 in Montreal, their first away win in 37 attempts and more than 25 months, you might think that would have kick started a sequence, but no, they have lost their two subsequent road games by a combined 10-3! They sit bottom of the East, a win tonight would not change that and you suspect rebuilding for next season will be well underway and any remaining energies saved for their last two home starts, not a game 4,000km away from home, against an in form, motivated opponent.
 

Sounders appear to have found some form just in time , they have taken heart from 7 points in their last three starts and huge confidence from a 4-2 win in LA over Galaxy on Sunday. That took them to within three points of a playoff spot, with two games in hand on all the clubs directly above them, they host Real Salt Lake (currently 4th) on the final day of the season (October 23rd) and it is not impossible that Seattle could still snatch that 4th place and that is a huge incentive. It would give them a HOME one leg playoff first round game and the last eight hosting teams have progressed ! Fire don't concede just one, they have two clean sheets in 11 starts, but once allowing a first goal, they have always given up at least two at an average of 2.89 per game and three or more in 6 of 9 away starts.