While awaiting their primetime tilt with reigning MLS Cup champion Portland Timbers FC Saturday (7:30 p.m. CT, CSN Chicago), members of the Chicago Fire are likely to join most of the soccer-spectating universe in watching a certain international final over 4,500 miles away.
“It’s amazing. You can’t imagine how important.”
Those are the words of Chicago Fire head coach Veljko Paunovic on Saturday’s UEFA Champions League final featuring intracity rivals Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid, which kicks off at 1:45 p.m. CT and airs live on FOX. Paunovic’s rooting interest is clear, having appeared for Atlético Madrid 98 times during a lengthy playing career that spanned 17 years and included stops in five countries.