Chicago Fire FC (TBD) at FC Cincinnati (TBD) | TQL Stadium, Cincinnati | 6:30 PM CT (7:30 PM ET)
Chicago Fire FC travel to Cincinnati to face FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium on Pride Night. We’re on a THREE-GAME MLS WIN STREAK and sitting SECOND IN THE EASTERN CONFERENCE behind Nashville. We’ve kept FOUR CLEAN SHEETS in seven matches and conceded only 5 goals (6th fewest in MLS). Cincinnati is 4-1-0 at TQL Stadium and swept us last year (3-2, 2-1).
This is a HUGE road test—can we extend the win streak to four at TQL Stadium?
Fire FC: Three-Game Win Streak and Second in the East
Second in Eastern Conference on Three-Game Win Streak
After going 10–17–7 last year and missing the playoffs, we’re SECOND IN THE EASTERN CONFERENCE on a THREE-GAME WIN STREAK. The defense has been INCREDIBLE—4 clean sheets in 7 matches with only 5 goals conceded (6th fewest in MLS).
Defensive Transformation:
- 4 clean sheets in 7 matches (we had 6 ALL LAST SEASON!)
- Only 5 goals conceded in MLS play
- Mbekezeli Mbokazi anchoring the defense (U22 center back breakthrough)
- Chris Brady elite goalkeeping (USMNT World Cup roster hopeful)
- Jack Elliott partnering with Mbokazi at center back
Recent Wins:
- Beat Nashville 1-0 (Philip Zinckernagel scored 17 seconds in!)
- Beat Atlanta 1-0 (Maren Haile-Selassie first goal of season)
- Three-game win streak, all clean sheets
Key Players:
- Xherdan Shaqiri: Creative maestro orchestrating everything
- Philip Zinckernagel: 2025 MLS All-Star, creative engine
- Jonathan Bamba: Dynamic threat from left flank
- Hugo Cuypers: Team-high 4 goals (dealing with concussion)
After giving up 60 goals last season, we’ve taken a MASSIVE defensive step forward under Gregg Berhalter.
FC Cincinnati: 4-1-0 at TQL Stadium, Swept Us Last Year
Cincinnati is dangerous at home—4-1-0 at TQL Stadium this season. They swept the season series last year, winning 3-2 at Soldier Field and 2-1 at TQL Stadium.
Cincinnati Strengths:
- Evander: Brazilian No. 10 (18g/15a last year, struggling with 0g/1a this season)
- Kévin Denkey: Scored in both games against us last year
- Miles Robinson: USMNT center back (working back from injury)
- Pavel Bucha: Industrious midfielder, Czech World Cup player
- TQL Stadium advantage: 4-1-0 at home
Cincinnati History vs Fire:
- Lead all-time series 7-4-3
- Won both games last year (3-2, 2-1)
- Scored 21 goals in 14 MLS matches vs us (1.5 per match)
- 8 goals in final 15 minutes against us historically
Tom Barlow Returns:
- Former Cincinnati forward now with Fire
- First time facing former team since January signing
Cincinnati swept us last year with Evander and Denkey scoring all the goals. At TQL Stadium, they’re 4-1-0 and dangerous.
Key Matchups at TQL Stadium
Fire Defense (4 clean sheets, 5 goals allowed) vs Evander & Denkey
Our defense has been ELITE. Mbokazi and Elliott have been dominant. Cincinnati’s attack (Evander, Denkey) scored on us twice last year. Can our defense shut them down on the road?
Xherdan Shaqiri vs Cincinnati Midfield
Shaqiri orchestrates everything. At TQL Stadium on Pride Night, can he control the game and create chances?
Chris Brady (4 clean sheets) vs Cincinnati Attack
Brady has been incredible with 4 clean sheets. Cincinnati scored 2 on us at TQL Stadium last year. Can he make it 5 clean sheets?
Tom Barlow vs His Former Team
Barlow faces Cincinnati for the first time since joining us. Extra motivation at TQL Stadium against his old squad.
What Fire FC Need at TQL Stadium
Keep the Defensive Dominance Going
4 clean sheets in 7 matches. Only 5 goals conceded. Mbokazi and Elliott stay organized. Brady stays sharp. Make it 5 clean sheets.
Xherdan Shaqiri Controls the Game
Our maestro on the road at TQL Stadium. Create chances, dictate tempo, break down Cincinnati’s defense.
Score Early and Silence TQL Stadium
Pride Night will have the crowd loud. Score early like Zinckernagel (17 seconds vs Nashville) and take the energy away.
Extend Win Streak to FOUR
Three straight wins. Second in the East. Win at TQL Stadium and we’re FOUR IN A ROW. Keep climbing.
Fire FC Fan Prediction: Defense Travels
Final Score: Fire FC 1, Cincinnati 0
Our defense stays ELITE on the road—Chris Brady makes 5-6 saves for his FIFTH clean sheet. Mbokazi and Elliott shut down Evander and Denkey at TQL Stadium.
Xherdan Shaqiri creates magic on the road. Philip Zinckernagel or Jonathan Bamba scores one goal. That’s all we need.
Cincinnati attacks at home but Brady and our defense stand tall. Tom Barlow provides energy against his former team.
One-goal win at TQL Stadium. FOUR-GAME WIN STREAK. Still second in the East. Defense dominates.
Why This Road Game Matters
We’re second in the Eastern Conference on a three-game win streak with 4 clean sheets in 7 matches. Cincinnati swept us last year and is 4-1-0 at TQL Stadium.
Win here and we’re FOUR IN A ROW. Beat a team that swept us last year. Show our defensive transformation is REAL on the road.
Can our defense keep the clean sheet streak? Will Shaqiri control the game? Can we beat Cincinnati at TQL Stadium?
After going 10–17–7 and giving up 60 goals last year, we’re SECOND IN THE EAST with only 5 goals conceded. This is a MASSIVE road test.
Let´s go Fire!!!