Match Information
Chicago Fire FC (8-5-2, 26 points) at New York City FC (6-6-4, 22 points)
Saturday, July 25, 2026
6:30 p.m. CT
Yankee Stadium – New York
How to Watch: Apple TV
English: Nate Bukaty & Devon Kerr
Spanish: Alejandro Figueredo & Tony Cherchi
How to Listen: wlsam.com // TUDN Chicago 106.7-HD2
English: Rudy Hodgson & Joe Chatz
Spanish: Omar Ramos & Teresa Limon
Match Preview
Chicago Fire FC could make its final stop at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, where it will take on New York City FC on Saturday, July 25.
The Men in Red returned for the FIFA World Cup break with a road match at Inter Miami CF on Wednesday night. With all eyes on forward Robert Lewandowski’s first minutes in Major League Soccer, it was instead an own goal that opened the scoring for the Fire less than 20 minutes in. Uruguayan international Luis Suárez struck back with a brace to give his side the lead before Puso Dithejane scored his first goal with Chicago to tie the game 2-2. Goalkeeper Chris Brady denied Suárez a hat trick with a massive point-blank save, but Preston Plembeck pounced on the rebound to seal the game for Miami in the Fire's first visit to Nu Stadium.
New York City will welcome the Fire to Yankee Stadium for possibly the last time, with Etihad Park scheduled to open in July 2027. NYCFC returned from the break with a 2-1 win on the road against Columbus Crew paced by Nicolás Fernández's 11th goal of the season. The win brought the team up to sixth in the Eastern Conference, with a chance to move higher with a repeat of their 2025 performance against the Fire that saw them win in both home and away.
All-Time MLS Regular Season Record vs. NYC: (3-13-8)
Last Game vs. NYC: Sept. 13, 2025 (1-3 L) – Soldier Field – Chicago (Match Recap)
Last Game at NYC: May 25, 2025 (1-3 L) – Yankee Stadium – New York (Match Recap)
Keys to the Match:
- Start Spreadin’ the News: Puso Dithejane entered in the 62nd minute and immediately made an impact with a goal, while keeping the Miami defense on their toes the rest of the night. Will Dithejane stay hot and put the league on notice with another great performance in New York?
- I’m Leavin’ Today: The Men in Red could see the last of Yankee Stadium on Saturday night, with NYCFC opening Etihad Park in 2027. A road victory could be a nice farewell present from Chicago.
- I Want to Be a Part of It: Robert Lewandowski started and played 63 minutes in his MLS debut on Wednesday. Will both Chicago and New York fans be a part of league history and see his first goal in The Bronx on Saturday?
Starting XI
Chicago Fire FC Director of Football and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter has named the following Starting XI looking for a win at Yankee Stadium:
- Tonight’s Starting XI will see three changes from the lineup that kicked off the second half of the season against Inter Miami CF on Wednesday at Nu Stadium.
- Both fullback slots will differ from Wednesday, with Leonardo Barroso starting on the right and Victor Radojević on the left. For Barroso, it’s a return to the pitch for the first time since the victory against Atlanta United FC on April 11 at Soldier Field. Radojević appeared in the second half in Miami, but otherwise will make his second start of the season at left back.
- Robin Lod will lead the attack from the outset at forward alongside Maren Haile-Selassie. Lod came off the bench for Robert Lewandowski on Wednesday night, and will spell the Polish striker up top to start the match. Haile-Selassie played all but two minutes in Miami, starting his fourth consecutive match in the Fire attack.
- Philip Zinckernagel and Jonathan Bamba resume their roles on the right and left wing, respectively. Zinckernagel will look to replicate his 2025 performance against New York City, which saw him score the opening goal in both matches played. Bamba seeks his third goal of the season in his 45th regular season appearance for the Men in Red.
- Joining Zinckernagel and Bamba in the center of the park is the duo of Dje D’Avilla and Anton Salétros for the second straight match. The two midfielders will form the spine of the Men in Red in front of center backs Joel Waterman and Jack Elliott, who also shared the pitch on Wednesday. Elliott will don the captain’s armband once more for Chicago.
- Homegrown goalkeeper Chris Brady will look for his ninth victory of the year, likely against fellow U.S. Men’s National Team goalkeeper Matt Freese, both of whom shared a locker room during FIFA World Cup 2026.
- Forward Robert Lewandowski will be available off the bench alongside goalkeeper Josh Cohen; defenders Sam Rogers, Andrew Gutman and Jonathan Dean; midfielders Mauricio Pineda and Sergio Oregel Jr.; winger Puso Dithejane and forward Jason Shokalook.
- Defenders Christopher Cupps (International Duty) and Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Lower Body), and winger Chris Mueller (Not Due to Injury) are unavailable for selection tonight. Midfielder André Franco (Lower Body) remains on the league Injured List and is projected to return later in the second half of the season.
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