Just as quickly as it arrived, preseason camp has essentially ended for the Men In Red.
Thirty-three days after first convening at The PrivateBank Fire Pitch in Chicago, the Fire are poised to play their sixth and final preseason friendly at 2 p.m. CT Saturday -- exactly one week from their 2017 opener at Columbus Crew SC (March 4, 1 p.m. CT, CSN Chicago). Once the fulltime whistle blows Saturday, all focus will shift to opening the season with three road points against a Midwest rival.
Standing opposite the Fire at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg Saturday is a side that figures to be one of the most formidable in MLS this year, defending Eastern Conference champion Toronto FC.