MLS preseason 2023: Chicago win, Nashville draw against non-MLS opponents

Preseason Chicago Fire

Chicago Fire FC concluded their preseason trip to Mexico by facing second-division side CancĂºn FC, while Nashville SC hosted USL Championship side Louisville City FC in a closed-door scrimmage at GEODIS Park.

Here's how the two clubs fared in recent days.

Chicago Fire FC 5, CancĂºn FC 0

Jairo Torres enjoyed a successful return to action after undergoing season-ending surgery late in 2022. The Mexican winger scored twice – once from the penalty spot and once from the run of play – in a convincing 5-0 win Tuesday for Chicago over CancĂºn at Estadio AndrĂ©s Quintana Roo.

Striker Kacper PrzybyÅ‚ko, another major signing (alongside Torres) from the 2022 season, also found the net against the Liga de ExpansiĂ³n MX outfit.

Back stateside now, Chicago will soon fly to Arizona for the FC Tucson Desert Showcase.

Goals

  • 1H - CHI - Kacper PrzybyÅ‚ko
  • 2H - CHI - Jairo Torres
  • 2H - CHI - Jairo Torres
  • 2H - CHI - Missael RodrĂ­guez
  • 2H - CHI - Victor Bezerra

Lineups

  • CHI starting XI: Chris Brady - Jonathan Dean, Wyatt Omsberg, Rafael Czichos, Miguel Navarro - Federico Navarro, Gaston GimĂ©nez, Brian GutiĂ©rrez - Xherdan Shaqiri, Kacper PrzybyÅ‚ko, Chris Mueller
  • CHI second XI: Spencer Richey - Jonathan Dean, Wyatt Omsberg, Rafael Czichos, Miguel Navarro - Federico Navarro, Sergio Oregel Jr., Jairo Torres - Alex Monis, Missael RodrĂ­guez, Victor Bezerra

Nashville SC 0, Louisville City FC 0

Nashville got their third runout of the preseason, hosting perennial USL Championship contender Louisville City on Monday. Two major lineup swings saw 22 players from the Coyotes earn minutes in a scoreless draw.

Up next, Nashville head to Florida to face several MLS opponents.

Goals

  • None

Lineups

  • NSH starting XI: Joe Willis - Alex Muyl, Josh Bauer, Jack Maher, Dan Lovitz - Sean Davis, AnĂ­bal Godoy, FafĂ  Picault, Jacob Shaffelburg - Hany Mukhtar, Teal Bunbury