Two clubs sitting at the bottom half of the Eastern Conference standings fighting for their playoff hopes will face each other Saturday as the Montreal Impact host the Chicago Fire at the Saputo Stadium.
The Impact are currently on a three-match losing streak, experiencing another heartbreak last Saturday with a 2–1 loss to Toronto FC.
Before the loss to Toronto, Chicago also failed to capture a win against East-leading D.C. United (1–0) and Philadelphia Union (1–0).
Now Montreal hopes to snap the streak under the tutelage of Mauro Biello, who was named as the club's interim head coach after Frank Klopas was fired following their defeat to Toronto.
According to MLS.com, Impact's coaching change was the first by any club for the 2015–16 season.
Montreal is currently tied with New York City FC (NYC FC) with 28 points. A victory this Saturday would give the club 31 points to move it up the standings and could catapult them to the top six in the East.
Odds will be in favor of the Impact since they will have home field advantage and Chicago is yet to win on the road in Major League Soccer (MLS) this season.
The Fire currently hold a 0–7–5 away record and is the only club in the MLS this season without a victory on the road.
But despite the fact that Montreal will be hosting the match, Chicago might have the edge since in their first meeting this season last May, the Fire won 3–0.
The Fire are looking for consistency since they have been on an up and down ride this year with their last MLS match a 1–1 draw against Orlando City SC.
Before that, they defeated East's number two club the New York Red Bulls 3–2 to end a three-match winless streak.
The Fire, together with Philadelphia, are last in the East with 27 points each, and to keep their playoff hopes alive, they need to win their remaining matches including this one.
The match between the Montreal Impact and Chicago Fire will be held on Sept. 5 at 8 p.m. EST. To watch via live stream, click here.
