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Toronto FC vs Chicago Fire FC Predictions for May 31, 2023

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MLS: Toronto FC at Chicago Fire in the Toronto FC vs Chicago Fire FC Game

Toronto FC vs Chicago Fire FC will be the first meeting this year between the two teams. This is an important game for both teams as they have the same number of points, however Chicago does have a game in hand over Toronto.

Toronto FC vs Chicago Fire FC Predictions at BMO Field

Toronto FC (1-1-3)

After losing two straight home games in all competitions, TFC got a response against D.C. United. Even with Federico Bernardeschi out because of speaking out publicly against the tactics made in the game against Austin FC, Toronto FC delivered a win. This is what Lorenzo Insigne said about the 2-1 win over D.C. United (source: Canadian Soccer Daily):

“I’ve always been happy with the club. I’m happy with the coach as well. There have never been arguments with the coach. I’m here to tell you whatever the truth is, I’m happy.”

What Insigne is referring to was the column done by The Athletics Tom Bogert, Joshua Kloke, and Paul Tenorio. It is behind a paywall though so people cannot automatically access it.

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Winning cures all wounds in sports and that is how TFC played on Saturday. Insigne played really well, assisting in both goals scored by Deandre Kerr and Kosi Thompson.

Before that win, TFC struggled in MLS play and also in the Canadian Championship loss to CF Montreal. So hopefully for TFC and their fans, they have turned a corner with their last home win. With the home win last Saturday, they ended a two-game losing streak at home in all competitions, which included a loss to the New England Revolution.

Insigne is a player to watch now for TFC as he got his first two assists this year last Saturday. As for the season itself, Richie Laryea and Federico Bernardeschi are the players to watch out for in MLS. In fact, Bernardeschi leads the team with three goals and is second with the team with three assists. This is while Richie Laryea has two goals and two assists each.

Other players include Jonathan Osorio, who is likely still injured, but still leads the team with four assists, and Mark-Anthony Kaye and Deandre Kerr, who have scored two goals each.

Chicago Fire FC (2-2-1)

The Chicago Fire FC have been unbeaten in their last three games with one win and two draws. In the last game, they earned a wild 3-3 draw on the road against the New England Revolution. This is what Chicago head coach, Frank Klopas said about the game: (source: Chicago Fire Communications).

“Yeah, it’s the third game in a week. So obviously like I said before the game, we had to assess certain guys, how they were. You know, we made the changes necessary, but the changes were made in a positive way. We came on the road, and we scored two goals, three goals.”

Kei Kamara, a lethal scorer in MLS, leads the team with four goals while Mareen Haile-Selassie and Kacper Pryzbylko scored three goals each. This is while Brian Gutierrez leads the team with five assists while Arnaud Souquet and Xherdan Shaqiri had three assists each.

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Chris Brady also made a key save last Saturday, which helped Chicago get a result in Boston.

Injuries

The Chicago Fire FC will be missing 23-year-old centre-forward,, Victor Bezerra, on March 28, 2023 (source: transfermarkt). He has had a leg injury since March 28, 2023, and his return to the game is unknown. This is while TFC’s Michael Bradley is still injured with a hamstring injury since April 16, 2023. There is no known return for the 35-year-old central midfielder.

TFC might have some more injuries that were seen with D.C. United game, like with Jonathan Osorio, but nothing has been confirmed on that end yet for the Chicago Fire FC game.

Toronto FC vs Chicago Fire FC Predictions Overview

Prediction: Toronto FC 3 – Chicago Fire FC 2

Both teams are not great defensively as Chicago has conceded goals in four straight games. Also, Chicago has the U.S. Open Cup game to worry about the week after. However, maybe things have changed after a much-needed win over D.C. United last Saturday. This will likely be a high-scoring game and one TFC might very well prevail on as Insigne looks to make himself comfortable this year wearing a Toronto FC shirt.

Both teams had split the season series last year with one win apiece. TFC though has the historical edge as they have 12 wins and eight losses against Chicago. Both teams have drawn with each other 10 times eachThe game will start between both teams at 7:30 p.m. ET and it will be shown live on Apple TV.

 

Photo Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports, of a Deandre Kerr Headshot and a Federico Navarro Headshot on July 13, 2022.

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