Chicago Fire FC will turn around quickly from Wednesday's 2-2 draw at Atlanta United FC to face CF Montréal on Saturday, July 19.
The Fire took the lead just seconds into the match via Philip Zinckernagel's 10th goal of the season. After Atlanta equalized, the Fire retook the lead with the Danish winger's ninth assist of 2025 on midfielder Maren Haile-Selassie's goal. But with seconds remaining in stoppage time, Atlanta managed to equalize, handing Chicago its first point in league play at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
CF Montréal returns to Quebec after falling 2-1 on the road to the Philadelphia Union Wednesday night at Subaru Park. Forward Prince Owusu scored off a cross from defender Joel Waterman to momentarily equalize the match for the Bleu-blanc-noir in first-half stoppage time. But the draw didn’t last long as Philadelphia reclaimed the lead for good in the 49th minute after defender Olwethu Makhanya scored from a corner kick.
Both teams are smarting from their last meeting, a 1-1 draw at Soldier Field on March 29 in which Zinckernagel tallied his second goal of the season.
Game Information
CHICAGO FIRE FC (8-9-5, 29 points) at CF Montréal (3-14-6, 15 points)
Saturday, July 19, 2025
Stade Saputo – Montréal, Quebec
All-Time MLS Regular Season Record vs. MTL: (9-13-8)
Last Game vs. MTL: March 29, 2025 (1-1 W) – Soldier Field – Chicago (Match Recap)
Last Game at MTL: Sept. 21, 2024 (0-2 L) – Stade Saputo – Montréal, Quebec (Match Recap)
Keys to the Match
- Scorched Earth: When Chicago Fire FC takes on CF Montréal at Stade Saputo on Saturday, the Fire will be well-equipped to secure a win in their last road match before returning home to the Windy City. The Men in Red are currently five spots ahead of the Bleu-blanc-noir in the Eastern Conference, with more than twice as many goals (42) as the Canadians (20) this year. Chicago has twice as many wins on the road as Montréal’s total number of wins this season. The Fire are ready to head north of the border and come away with three points at all costs.
- Dethrone the Prince: Forward Prince Owusu has been a high point for the Quebecois side. Owusu leads Montréal with 10 goals as one of only 20 players in MLS to tally double-digit figures this season. He fights hard for the ball, leading the team in fouls committed while also suffering the most fouls. The German forward has been the focal point of the Bleu-blanc-noir side all season, and the Fire will have to put forth a royal effort on defense to neutralize his impact in the match.
- The Zinck Effect: Philip Zinckernagel has been an undeniable force on the field. The Danish winger has put the league on notice, as evidenced by his MLS All-Star recognition and four Team of the Matchday honors. In the most recent matchup against Atlanta United, Zinkernagel tallied his 10th goal of the season on an “olimpico” – the first time that the Fire had two players score a minimum of 10 goals in a single season since 2019. Having also contributed his ninth assist on the road, he is a dependable player who consistently creates goal-scoring opportunities anywhere the Men in Red go.
Philip Zinckernagel has been a force on the right wing (Chicago Fire FC)
By the Numbers
1 – Philip Zinckernagel has scored or assisted in a Club-record nine consecutive road matches, leaving him one game behind the league record held by Josef Martínez. The Danish winger has a chance to tie the record this Saturday at Montréal. In his first matchup against the Canadian side, Zinckernagel tallied only his second goal of the season. But he has since added eight more, while also serving as the Fire's leading assist man with nine this year.
8 – With his last goal against San Diego last Saturday, Hugo Cuypers climbed up to eighth place in most goals scored all-time in Club history. His 22 goals in two seasons now have him tied with Dema Kovalenko, Damani Ralph and 2013 MLS MVP Mike Magee. His 12 goals in 2025 are also tied for 10th most in a single season for a Fire player, with 13 matches left in 2025 to add to the total.
42 – Chicago's two goals at Atlanta on Wednesday night gave the Fire 42 goals for the season, surpassing last year's total output of 40. The number is also more than any season since 2019, when the Fire scored 55 goals, the eighth largest tally in the league. Chicago’s current scoring form has the team on track to score 64 goals this season, the second most in Club history behind the 67 recorded in the 2000 campaign.
How to Watch
Chicago closes a two-game road trip against CF Montréal at 6:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, July 19, at Stade Saputo. The match will kick off at 6:30 p.m. CT and will be broadcast globally on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV and transmitted locally on wlsam.com (English) and Que Buena Fire via the Uforia App (Spanish).
