| PREGAME SUMMARY: |
|---|
| 2019 MLS Preseason presented by Advocare |
| Chicago Fire vs. Atletico Madrid B |
| Ciudad Del Futbol, Madrid, Spain |
| Wednesday, Jan. 30 — 9 AM ET |
| No stream or TV available |
The Chicago Fire face the reserve side of La Liga giants Atletico Madrid in their first 2019 preseason match, a worthy test for a Fire side working through the early stages of their periodization process. It's a reunion of sorts for Chicago head coach Veljko Paunovic, who spent several years of his long, successful playing career in Spain at Atletico.
Chicago Fire
Paunovic and his staff have overseen the initial phase of preseason with a focus on building fitness, chemistry and collective understanding; now they're seeking signs of progression in their first meeting with outside competition.
“We will have tomorrow our first scrimmage – our first game – just to test where we stand against teams that are right now in-season,” Paunovic told Chicago-Fire.com on Tuesday. “It’s a scrimmage, but most importantly we have to see where we are against teams that are already in competition.”
Atletico Madrid B
Atletico's B team play in Group 1 of Segunda Division B, the Spanish professional system's third tier. The side has helped nurture a long line of talent over the decades from David de Gea to Koke and many more. And with both the first team and B team in midseason form and running near the top of the table in their respective leagues, they'll offer a stiff challenge for the Men in Red.
