On Thursday, Club Necaxa will begin its international campaign in the Leagues Cup when it faces Chicago Fire at the SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois. This will be the first encounter between the two sides in an official competition.

Background

  • Head-to-head: It's their first meeting in a competitive match.
  • Leagues Cup record: Necaxa (2 wins, 6 losses), Chicago Fire (1 win, 4 losses).

Recent Games

  • Chicago Fire: 3 wins, 0 draws, 2 losses.
  • Necaxa: 2 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses.

Key Storylines

  • Chicago Fire enters a new era with the signing of Robert Lewandowski, who has changed the dynamics and expectations of the club. His debut in this tournament will be crucial for the team's future in MLS.
  • Returning to Leagues Cup after a one-year absence, Chicago Fire aims to build on its 2023 knockout-stage appearance following an early exit in 2024.
  • After reaching the Leagues Cup knockout stage in 2024, Necaxa will look to recover from its early exit in 2025 and perform better this year.

Key Factors

  • Chicago Fire: Robert Lewandowski's talent has transformed the team. His performance on debut will be key for Chicago fans.
  • The home side is one of the best at home in the MLS and hopes to maintain that form in Leagues Cup.
  • Robin Lod and Philip Zinckernagel complement Lewandowski, with Zinckernagel as the team's top scorer following Cuyper's departure.
  • Necaxa: The defense led by Alexis Peña and Agustín Oliveros will face a significant challenge in containing Robert Lewandowski. Julian Carranza is the offensive reference, while Lorenzo Faravelli and Daniel Leyva lead the midfield. Ricardo Monreal and young Pedro Pedraza could be interesting names to watch from the bench.

Expectations

The game promises to be dominated by offense, especially with Robert Lewandowski making his debut in this tournament. Necaxa must be careful not to commit fouls near the penalty area that could create set-piece opportunities for Chicago's aerial attacks searching for Lewandowski's goals.

But Necaxa also has the capability to create havoc against the home team, with players like Julian Carranza, Lorenzo Faravelli, and Ricardo Monreal who have performed well offensively and are expected to take advantage of counterattacks and transitions.