Seattle Sounders FC at Chicago Fire

When: 7 p.m. Friday at Toyota Park

TV: Channel 50

Scouting Seattle FC: The Sounders (10-9-6, 36 points) are among the league's hottest teams, going 6-1-3 in their last 10 games. They own the eighth and final playoff spot. Blaise Nkufo scored a hat trick last week against Columbus.

Scouting the Fire: Chicago (6-9-8, 26 points) is one of the coldest teams in the league, going winless in its last six games. It has played 272 minutes since it last scored a goal. The Fire has never beaten Seattle.

Next game: at San Jose, Wednesday.

- Orrin Schwarz