Brian Sandalow
Sports contributor
Brian Sandalow is a sports contributor at the Chicago Sun-Times.
The Fire are offering discounts for 2024 tickets to fans attending Wednesday’s match, regardless of whether the injured Lionel Messi plays.
Messi joining MLS has been a boon for the league and could lead to looser roster rules that could help the Fire capitalize on Joe Mansueto’s wealth.
The Fire have been outscored 11-1 in their last four games and look nothing like the team that surged into playoff contention before the Leagues Cup.
Entering play Saturday at D.C. United, the Fire have dropped three consecutive games since the end of the Leagues Cup.
The Fire can’t afford too many more blips like the ones they suffered against Orlando if they want to move up or just stay above the playoff line.
Sunday’s game against Orlando City represents the beginning of an 11-match period that could end with the Fire reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2017.
To get to the playoffs, the Fire will have to play at a high level against good teams in challenging conditions. Perhaps the Leagues Cup helped get the Fire ready for a stretch that will define whether 2023 was a success or failure.
The Cubs closed to 1 1⁄2 games behind the Brewers for the National League Central lead and tied the Reds for the final NL wild-card spot.
Jeimer Candelario has added depth to the lineup, which also used its legs to score Sunday.