Chicago Fire welcome some prestigious guests to Toyota Park in the middle of a season where they have not yet achieved expectations. With 9 games played, Fire are placed 5th in the Eastern Conference with a 2-4-3 overall record. The month of May has been especially cruel, a jam-packed month in which
Chicago have so far achieved an 0-2-4 record. Players will use this friendly as a means to gain confidence before returning to league play.
Chicago defender
Wilman Conde outlines the team's goals for the match: "It is those types of games that every player would like to be a part of, but we should take this game as a preparation for league play, which will help us a lot to gain our confidence back."
AC Milan travel to Chicago after a somewhat disappointing year in Serie A. Despite promising starts to both their domestic campaign and the UEFA Champions League, the Rossoneri fell from both competitions at roughly the same time after a string of poor performances.
Leonardo was subsequently fired by owner Silvio Berlusconi and the manager position has yet to be filled.
The squad has been in Chicago for a few days; last night Ronaldinho pitched the first ball in Friday's Cubs-Cardinals baseball game. The team will have a few gaps as those who will be playing in South Africa have already left for international duty. This includes Gianluca Zambrotta, Andrea Pirlo, Gennaro Gattuso and defender Oguchi Onyewu most prominently. However, Milan has promised fans that
Alessandro Nesta,
Alexandre Pato,
Filippo Inzaghi and
Clarence Seedorf will feature against the Fire.
The last time these teams met was in 2005 at Soldier Field where Milan earned a 3-1 victory against the home side. Chicago will put up a tough fight in the hopes of improving morale, but
Milan should not lose this one.
Chicago Fire - AC Milan
Monday 31 May, 2010
Kickoff: 1:30 AM (GMT)
Venue: Toyota Park (Chicago)
Tip: AC Milan +0 (Asian Handicap)
Best Odds: 1.39 @ Betsson
