Chicago Fire game day
D.C. United at Chicago Fire, 8 p.m. Thursday, Toyota Park
TV: ESPN2, ESPN Deportes
Scouting D.C. United: United (7-6-9, 30 points) looks like a legitimate playoff contender, but it can’t afford to stumble in Chicago. Chris Pontius scored twice in last weekend’s 4-0 victory against Vancouver, but the team really took off when it acquired the dangerous Dwayne De Rosario.
Scouting the Fire: With its playoff hopes dim and fading, the last-place Fire (2-7-14, 20 points) needs to start thinking about next season. Do newly acquired veterans Pavel Pardo and Sebastian Grazzini fit into the long-term picture? Which strikers can score and which can’t? The Fire is winless in its last nine games.
Next: Toronto FC, 6 p.m. Sunday at Toyota Park
— Orrin Schwarz