Soldier Field – MLS Regular Season, September 13, 2025
The lights were bright at Soldier Field as the Chicago Fire took the pitch against New York City FC, a side sitting just one place ahead in the Eastern Conference standings. From the opening whistle, the night carried a sense of urgency, and the lineup reflected that energy.
Midfielder André Franco, fresh off two assists in his first MLS start against New England, returned to the XI and once again partnered with Dje D’Avilla in the center of the pitch. D’Avilla earned his seventh start of the season as the Fire looked to control tempo early.
The backline carried its own storylines. Jonathan Dean tied a career-high with his 15th start in what was also his 24th appearance this year. Captain Jack Elliott anchored the defense alongside Andrew Gutman, who hit a new career mark with his 29th consecutive start of the season. Saturday also marked a special moment for Joel Waterman, making his Fire debut after international duty with the Canadian Men’s National Team. He became the 15th player to debut for Chicago in 2025, adding depth and composure to the backline.
In midfield, Brian Gutiérrez sought to replicate his creativity, coming off a strong showing at SeatGeek Stadium where he assisted Jonathan Bamba’s quick-strike goal. Up front, the Fire brought back their dangerous attacking trio: Philip Zinckernagel, Hugo Cuypers, and Bamba, each of whom scored in the 3-2 win over New England earlier this month. Between the posts, Chris Brady made his 22nd appearance of the campaign, eyeing a 10th win and his fourth shutout of 2025, which would equal last year’s mark.
Unavailable for selection were defenders Leonardo Barroso and Chase Gasper, plus midfielders Rominigue Kouamé and Chris Mueller. The bench brought depth with goalkeeper Jeff Gal; defenders Sam Rogers, Omar González, and Justin Reynolds; midfielders Maren Haile-Selassie, Sergio Oregel Jr., Mauricio Pineda, and Kellyn Acosta; and forward Tom Barlow.
At halftime, the Fire and NYCFC were level at 1–1. Chicago struck first in the 13th minute when Philip Zinckernagel found the net, giving the Men in Red a deserved lead after a strong start. New York answered late in the half when Nicolás Fernández equalized in the 40th minute, shifting momentum back toward the visitors just before the break. Possession leaned slightly in NYCFC’s favor, with 56 percent compared to Chicago’s 44, and both teams registered two shots on target from four total attempts each. Goalkeepers on both sides were tested lightly, each recording a save, while NYCFC edged Chicago in set pieces with the only corner kick of the half.
Zinckernagel continued to be a bright spot for Chicago, not only scoring but also creating opportunities in the attacking third. Brian Gutiérrez and Andrew Gutman helped drive play forward, but lapses in defensive transition cost the Fire in the moments leading up to NYCFC’s equalizer.
For the second half, Chicago will need to regain control of the tempo, tighten up defensively, and look for their midfielders to feed the attacking trio more consistently. The atmosphere inside Soldier Field has been electric, and with the match still up for grabs, the Fire have everything to play for as they search for a much-needed three points.