Topics: MLS is Back Tournament, Chicago Fire, San Jose Earthquakes, Chris Wondolowski, Robert Beric, Raphael Winky, Seattle Sounders, Vancouver Whitecaps, Brian Schmetzer
Group B play resumes on Saturday, July 19, featuring the Chicago Fire taking on the San Jose Earthquakes, followed by a Cascadia rivalry involving the Seattle Sounders and the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Chicago Fire vs San Jose Earthquakes – 8 p.m. ET

The Quakes head into Wednesday night’s game against Chicago as group leaders with four points after playing two games. The Fire, who has only played one match so far in the tournament due to delays, go into this match in second place after a 2-1 win over the Seattle Sounders.

After a quiet 0-0 draw with Seattle on Matchday 1, San Jose defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 4-3 by coming back from a two-goal deficit. The Quakes were down 3-1 coming into the last third of the game, but things changed when MLS all-time top goalscorer Chris Wondolowski was subbed-in in the 62nd minute. Wondo went on to find the back of the net after just 10 minutes, a goal that sparked the beginning of the comeback. Oswaldo Alanis leveled in the 81st minute, and Shea Salinas completed the Quakes’ fairytale scoring in the eighth minute of added time.

Chicago’s new head coach, Raphael Wicky, picked up his first three points as an MLS manager with a commanding win over reigning MLS champions, Seattle. Robert Beric opened the scoring with a flashy goal in the 52nd minute of that match. Sounders’ Handwalla Bwalla equalized just seven minutes after, but Muricio Pineda scored Chicago’s game-sealer in the 84th minute.

The Fire leads the all-time record with 16-11-11, winning three of its last five meetings against the Quakes. However, San Jose defeated Chicago 4-1 in their previous match on May 18, 2019. 

Seattle Sounders vs Vancouver Whitecaps – 10:30 p.m. ET

Canadian and American neighbors, Vancouver Whitecaps and the Seattle Sounders will play the closing Saturday evening game as both teams look for their first win of the tournament. This match could determine which Group B teams will advance to the knockout rounds and those that won’t.

The Vancouver Whitecaps might want to forget about its Matchday 1 defeat to the San Jose Earthquakes. Anyhow, Vancouver does have a game in hand, and a win here is crucial to get to the later stages of the tournament. Keeping solid blocks in defense and midfield throughout the entirety of the game will help Vancouver to stay away from trouble.

On the other hand, the Seattle Sounders will have one more shot at a win that can potentially see them escape out of Group B after a rocky start. The 2019 MLS Cup champions got off to a slow start drawing to San Jose, followed by a well-fought 2-1 defeat to Chicago. Brian Schmetzer’s Seattle Sounders will be put under fire if they are unable to find a positive result on Saturday night.