Xherdan Shaqiri is absent from the Chicago Fire squad for their match against LA Galaxy at Soldier Field on Saturday evening, as he has joined the Swiss National Team camp in St. Gallen in preparation for the European Championships.
Despite his lucrative MLS deal, this marks the third consecutive game the Chicago Fire captain has missed.
For Shaqiri, renowned for scoring crucial goals in major tournaments, the upcoming Euros represent a significant opportunity to perform on a bigger stage, potentially for the last time in his career.
After making the final 23-man squad, Shaqiri is expected to play a key role for the Swiss National team when the tournament starts in June.
The Chicago Fire, struggling with a nine-game winless streak, face a challenging path to qualify for the MLS playoffs.
The absence of their talismanic captain is a substantial setback as they prepare to host the in-form LA Galaxy at Soldier Field.
