Chicago Fire vs. NYCFC: Major League Soccer Odds & Best Bets
The highly anticipated start of the Chicago Fire season is finally here.
Chicago was the only team not scheduled on the season’s opening day due to an odd number of teams in MLS. This match is one of the free matches on Apple TV this weekend.
Chicago was one of the original clubs at the beginning of MLS in 1996. In contrast, New York City FC was the first franchise in the same city as another MLS team (the New York Red Bulls).
Chicago will open the doors to Soldier Field for about 20,000 fans this weekend. Everyone in the stands will be waiting for Xherdan Shaqiri (pictured), who hails from Switzerland, to make his mark on the match and help the Fire get all three points.
Long Road Ahead for MLS Teams
This game marks the first of over 40 for the Chicago Fire. MLS teams now have to play more matches due to a new tournament in the middle of the season called the “Leagues Cup.” Therefore, this season will be tough for players and personnel, as seasons are getting longer.
The Chicago Fire were the second-lowest scoring team in all of MLS in 2022, but they did not surrender many goals on defense. Failing to reach the playoffs, Chicago made some much-needed offensive transfers to bolster the squad’s scoring potential.
NYCFC is looking to fix offensive woes of their own. With only two shots on goal for NYCFC in the first week of the season, players like Gabriel Pereira and Talles Magno must step up.
Under coach Nick Cushing, NYCFC likes to press when defending. With a pacey front, “The Pigeons” will swarm each player with the ball before they can decide. This tactic makes NYCFC a hard team to beat when they can finish their chances.
Leader Among the Rest
With Taty Castellanos and Alex Callens gone, NYCFC is looking to find one of their current players to lead this team in 2023.
Conversely, the Chicago Fire knows exactly who to look for in leadership, as Shaqiri is the second-highest paid player in MLS.
The Fire are ready to score goals, as they brought on MLS legend-in-the-making Kei Kamara to play striker. Kamara is the highest active goal-scorer in MLS at 139 goals.
Chicago Fire vs. NYCFC Analysis
These two teams have played each other a total of 18 times. NYCFC has had the better record of the two, winning 10 of those times, drawing five, and only losing three.
NYCFC won both matchups versus the Fire last year without conceding a single goal.
The Chicago Fire will be with all their players, as this is the first game of their season. Some players may need more time to gel with the team, but everyone should be available.
NYCFC should try to trot out the same team they did against the Nashville Soccer Club last week, as no core players look seriously injured.
Prediction & Picks
Expect the Chicago Fire to be the primary possession holder. At the same time, NYCFC will try to break on the counterattack and play directly after the press to make the opposition lose the ball. Both teams will likely struggle scoring.
Both teams lost some key players in the off-season, and neither has yet found their identity this MLS season. Soldier Field will be packed with Chicago Fire fans. Look for this matchup to be low-scoring, as the Fire and NYCFC will continue their offensive woes.
Final Score Prediction: Chicago Fire 1 – NYCFC 1
Betting Matchup Overview
Betting on soccer is a way to potentially add another lay of intrigue for the game. What follows is an overview of the odds and lines for this important matchup on Saturday.
Game Details
- Who: Chicago Fire vs. NYCFC (Major League Soccer)
- When: Saturday, March 4, 2023
- Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
- Where: Soldier Field (Chicago, IL)
Betting Odds Summary
- Match Result Regular Time: Chicago Fire +145, Tie +230, NYCFC +175
- Both Teams to Score: Yes -145, No +105
- Total:Over/Under 2.5 Goals in Regular Time (-120/-120)
Player Props: Anytime Goalscorer
- Kei Kamara: +225
- Talles Magno: +250
- Xherdan Shaqiri: +250
- Chris Mueller: +260
- No goalscorer: +850
Player Prop Bets: Chicago Fire vs. NYCFC
Kei Kamara (+225 anytime goalscorer) is the player everyone is talking about. Kamara is chasing greatness at this point in his career and needs to be able to find the back of the net at any chance he gets. Even though he just joined the team, the MLS veteran will find his way onto the pitch, as his leadership and experience are unmatched.
Talles Magno (+250 to score) is also a playable prop bet, as he will lead the press for NYCFC and get the most chances due to being the striker in an offense that needs to find the back of the net quickly. Magno is exceptionally talented and needs a breakout season this year if NYCFC wants to reach the playoffs again. The 20-year-old Brazilian is one of the best one-on-one attackers in MLS, if not the best.
Xherdan Shaqiri (+250) is a friendly long-shot bet to score. Shaqiri is among the league’s highest-paid players, so Chicago will be looking to get some return on investment with him. Shaqiri will most likely take the penalties for Chicago, as he took four out of five last year. Shaqiri needs to get on the board to make his price tag look reasonable.
Best Bets: Chicago Fire vs. NYCFC
- Moneyline: Chicago Fire +145, Tie +230, NYCFC +175
We recommend taking the tie. Neither team has demonstrated that they are ready to steamroll opponents. The best bet here is the tie (+230), as both teams have many new pieces coming into the fold and will need time to acclimate.
- Total: Over/Under 2.5 Goals in Regular Time (-120/-120)
The under (-120) is the play here. This NYCFC team is different from the one that reached the Eastern Conference Finals last year and looks like a shell of itself without Taty Castellanos. Chicago scored the second-fewest goals last year, so look for more of the same from them at the beginning of the season.
