The key dangers Sounders must navigate vs. Chicago Fire

Wait... Chicago are good now? They're in third in the Eastern conference???

Having reigned supreme in six of their last nine MLS fixtures and three of their four Leagues Cup outings, they deserve immense credit for managing their brutal recent period so well, with Berhalter astutely alternating between sitting deep and looking to hurt opponents on the counter and controlling proceedings with more patient, methodical possession.

Boasting plenty of firepower and class in attacking areas such as superstar Robert Lewandowski, Philip Zinckernagel, Jonathan Bamba, Puso Dithejane, Maren Haile-Selassie, and Robin Lod, this has been an enormous weapon for them, for it’s ensured they can punish opponents at will and possess game-changers that can turn a contest in an instant with a moment of magic even when they're flattering to deceive. This makes them so dangerous and difficult to play against.