Toronto FC at Chicago Fire

When: 7:30 p.m. at Toyota Park

TV: NBC Nonstop (Channel 5.2)

Scouting Toronto FC: Toronto (5-12-4, 19 points) has found new life under new coach Paul Mariner, but it's still in last place in the Eastern Conference. Wednesday's 5-1 victory in CONCACAF Champions League play was impressive, however.

Scouting the Fire: The Fire (9-7-5, 32 points) could debut new midfielder Alvaro Fernandez in the starting lineup, but look for new forward Sherjill MacDonald to be a second-half substitute. The Fire is 6-0-1 when scoring the first goal, the one blemish coming last week at San Jose in the 98th minute.

Next: at Philadelphia Union, 6 p.m. Aug. 12 at PPL Park

— Orrin Schwarz