Soldier Field – MLS Regular Season, September 13, 2025
Chicago Fire entered the night with plenty of momentum and hope. The starting XI featured returns, milestones, and the kind of attack that had been clicking in recent weeks. André Franco resumed in central midfield alongside Dje D’Avilla, Jonathan Dean tied a career high in starts, Andrew Gutman reached a new mark for consecutive starts, and Joel Waterman made his Fire debut. Up front, the trio of Philip Zinckernagel, Hugo Cuypers, and Jonathan Bamba carried the attacking threat, and goalkeeper Chris Brady sought his 10th win and a fourth clean sheet.
The match got off to a dream start for the Fire when Philip Zinckernagel found the net in the 13th minute, assisted by Brian Gutiérrez, giving Chicago a deserved early lead. But NYCFC would respond just before halftime as Nicolás Fernández leveled in the 40th, turning the momentum. Statistics at that point were tightly contested: possession tilted slightly toward NYCFC, each side had registered two shots on target and a handful of shot attempts, and both goalkeepers had been tested but held firm.
In the second half, however, New York City FC seized control. Alonso Martínez put them ahead in the 57th minute, and NYCFC stayed composed while Chicago pressed. Deep into stoppage time, Seymour Reid sealed the win for NYCFC in the 90+3 minute, finishing off a counter to cap off the 3-1 result.
Final stats tell much of the story: Chicago had slightly less possession (48.6% compared to NYCFC’s 51.4%), made 11 shot attempts to NYCFC’s 13, but fewer on target (5 vs. 4) and fewer corner kicks (2 vs. 4). Brady made 3 saves; NYCFC’s keeper made 2.
Zinckernagel remains among the bright spots for the Fire, his early goal continuing his season of high goal involvement. Brian Gutiérrez and Andrew Gutman also put in solid performances; but ultimately Chicago’s defensive lapses in the second half, especially failing to disrupt NYCFC’s attacks and maintain pressure after the equalizer, proved decisive.
Chicago Fire drop to 12-6-10, with 42 points in the Eastern Conference, while New York City FC move to 13-5-9 with 44 points.The loss also continues a growing trend: NYCFC have now gone unbeaten in their past eight meetings with Chicago.
What It Means & Looking Ahead
This game showed both potential and fragility in the Fire squad. The offensive firepower is real — particularly when Zinckernagel, Bamba, and Cuypers are in sync — but defending leads, especially late in matches, continues to be an issue. The ability to close out games will be crucial in the final stretch of the season if Chicago hopes to lock down a playoff spot.
Up next, Chicago needs to regroup quickly. They’ll want to build on the moments of promise from this match — early control, creativity in midfield, and attacking intent — while addressing lapses that allowed NYCFC to take over after halftime. Clean sheets might not always come, but better game management and defensive solidarity will have to.