Straddling the Eastern Conference playoff line, every game feels crucial for the Chicago Fire, even though it's still May and the season is less than halfway over.
Chicago, who have won two of their last seven games, have lost just once at home and are winless on the road. To climb over the playoff line – and stay there – the Fire are intent on changing that latter part.
Luckily for them, they can get to work immediately, heading to the nation's capital to face D.C. United on Wednesday (8 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, on DAZN in Canada).
"We have to head to D.C. with the mentality that we do for home games," Djordje Mihailovic said after training this week. "We're unbeaten in the last [six games at home] but it's important that we head into the away game like we do at home. Dominate the field and come away with three points."
United reclaimed the top spot in the Eastern Conference over the weekend after a 1-1 draw at the New England Revolution, though the Black-and-Red are on a three-game winless streak.
"D.C. have a lot talent, Wayne Rooney, Paul Arriola and all those guys," Mihailovic said. "They bring a lot to the table and it's important we go into the game not thinking that. [It's] thinking that we're the dominant team, that we're going to dominate the ball, create more chances and come away with three points."
The Fire are in the midst of a busy and important week. They tied New York City FC 1-1 last Saturday, play D.C. on Wednesday and then travel to Atlanta United this coming Saturday. This stretch includes three Eastern Conference opponents who are expected to make the playoffs.
"It's very difficult when you play every three or four days, but we're professionals, that's our job," Aleksandar Katai said. "It's normal. We expect a very difficult two games."
