The Chicago Fire hosts Charlotte FC on Saturday in a MLS Eastern Conference fixture. Chicago is 12th in the conference table at 9-8-14 on 35 points with a goal difference of -9. The Chicago Fire was defeated by CF Montreal 3-2 in its most recent MLS fixture on Tuesday. Xherdan Shaqiri scored a brace for Chicago in the loss with goals in the 39th and 57th minutes.
Chicago's loss on Tuesday to Montreal was the 14th of the season for the Fire. Chicago has lost 15 or more matches in four of the last seven seasons dating back to 2015, after never losing 15 or more in any of its first 17 seasons in the MLS. Xherdan Shaqiri is the leading goal scorer for Chicago with seven and is also the leader in assists with six.
Charlotte FC is 11th in the conference table at 11-2-17 on 35 points with a goal difference of -11. Charlotte took all three points at home last Saturday when defeating New York City FC 1-0. Daniel Rios scored in the fifth minute for Charlotte and that goal held up the rest of the way. Christian Fuchs was issued a red card in the 55th minute for Charlotte and will not play on Saturday against the Chicago Fire.
Charlotte's victory on Saturday versus New York City FC was its 11th of the season and only six previous expansion clubs have won more than 11 matches during their first season. Karol Swiderski is the leading goal scorer for Charlotte with eight, while Andre Shinyashiki is second with six goals. Benjamin Bender is the leader in assists with six.
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