The Orange & Blue have done well to re-examine their opponents early in the 2026 season. On Saturday, the squad hopes to replicate their work and gain a win in The Windy City.
FC Cincinnati (3-3-4, 12 pts.) gets another crack at the Chicago Fire (5-2-2, 17 pts.) this weekend at Soldier Field. Chicago took a 3-1 lead early in the second half at TQL Stadium in mid-April, but Cincinnati rode Evander’s hot foot to storm back and snatch a late 3-3 draw.
While The Fire look impressive out of the gate in 2026, Cincinnati have held their own when traveling to Chicago. The Orange & Blue have not lost in Chicago since a 3-0 loss in August 2020. If parameters are adjusted further, FC Cincinnati have never lost to the Fire at Chicago in front of an audience.
A win would send Cincinnati back into form and into the top half of the Eastern Conference. A Chicago win prepares them for a month that may be a little easier to traverse—Chicago’s next four opponents all missed the 2025 MLS Cup playoffs.
CHICAGO FIRE FC
After a rickety first month of the season, Chicago has rounded into solid form. Since their last loss in MLS action, a 2-1 defeat against D.C. United in March, Chicago has won five of the last six regular-season decisions. Their only snafu was the aforementioned 3-3 draw against Cincinnati.
The Fire are coming off a high and low within days of each other. The Fire needed to overcome a stagnant first half against Sporting Kansas City to crash five past SKC in the second half. Hugo Cuypers and Phillip Zinckernagel both scored braces, and Chris Brady captured his fifth clean sheet of the season, leading all goalkeepers in the East.
However, Chicago also crashed out of the U.S. Open Cup with a 2-1 loss to St. Louis City SC on Wednesday. While Anton Salétros scored his first goal for Chicago, the Fire gave up two late goals to leave the cup competition in the Round of 16.
Despite missing time from a concussion, Cuypers has put himself in the thick of the early-season MVP discussion. The Belgium striker has played in six matches this season and has scored in all six, compiling eight goals. Cuypers is almost halfway to his high of 17 goals in 2025, and his last goal puts him alone in fourth on the all-time scoring list for the Fire (39 goals in 77 matches).
Chicago will likely get back forward Jonathan Bamba back after some time away from the team. Bamba has tallied two goals and two assists in six matches, but has not played since a 1-0 win over Atlanta on April 11th. Midfielder André Franco (lower body) is likely out until the World Cup break, and right-back Leo Barroso (lower body) is also expected to be out.
THE ORANGE AND BLUE
After three difficult away losses to start the season, FC Cincinnati has managed to stem the blood loss with two come-from-behind draws. Pat Noonan’s team has gone undefeated in their last four matches, including a clinical 2-0 win over Red Bull New York last Saturday.
Two of Cincinnati’s three designated players, Kévin Denkey and Evander, have pulled the offense through the mire recently. Denkey has rivaled Cuypers in scoring, potting four goals in his last two matches. Meanwhile, Evander has returned to form, scoring two goals over the past three matches.
The defense has been roughed over the last month, but Saturday’s win over Red Bull was the team’s second clean sheet of the season. Goalkeeper Roman Celentano made six saves, and the back line of Andrei Chirila, Samuel Gidi, and Kyle Smith made 20 defensive contributions. Gidi led the team with nine recoveries, and Chirila stood tall with five clearances.
The Orange & Blue likely get some defensive protection back from the injury list, but not everyone. Matt Miazga and Nick Hagglund are both available for selection after their leg injuries. However, Miles Robinson, Alvas Powell, Obinna Nwobodo, and Teenage Hadebe are all likely unavailable due to their own leg injuries.
Predicted lineup:
Match Info
Where: Soldier Field, Chicago, IL
When: Saturday, May 2nd at 8:30 p.m.
Watch: Apple+
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