Forward Hugo Cuypers Selected to MLS Team of the Matchday Bench for Matchday 8

The Belgian striker made it six goals in five games with two in Saturday’s 3-3 draw against FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium

CHICAGO (April 20, 2026) – Chicago Fire FC forward Hugo Cuypers was named to the MLS Team of the Matchday bench for Matchday 8 following his two-goal performance in the 3-3 draw against FC Cincinnati on Saturday night at TQL Stadium.

The Belgian striker earned his second appearance on the MLS Team of the Matchday in 2026 after tying the Fire record for most consecutive games with a goal, tallying his fifth and sixth of the season against Cincinnati. In the 26th minute, winger Philip Zinckernagel sent a cross to the top of the box, where Cuypers touched the ball into the air and sent a half volley toward goal that bounced under goalkeeper Roman Celentano and into the net. Three minutes into the second half, defender Andrew Gutman sent a ball across the box that was headed up before falling in front of Cuypers, who pounced on the rebound and tucked the ball into the lower left corner.

The honor is Cuypers’ sixth with the Fire and second of the season, being named to the list after his last game in Philadelphia on Matchday 5. In that match, Cuypers scored the opening goal of the match, before setting up Jonathan Bamba’s game-winner in the second half. This also marks the fourth consecutive week with a player on the Team of the Matchday for Chicago, with defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi last receiving a mention on the Matchday 7 bench following his performance in the Fire’s 1-0 win over Atlanta United FC on April 11.

The MLS Team of the Matchday is as follows:

F: Petar Musa (DAL), Sergi Solans (RSL), Prince Owusu (MTL)
M: Ousseni Bouda (SJ), Diego Luna (RSL), Cristian Roldan (SEA), Lionel Messi (MIA)
D: Jefferson Díaz (MIN), Olwethu Makhanya (PHI), Maxwell Woledzi (NSH)
GK: Kristijan Kahlina (CLT)

Coach: Bruce Arena (SJ)

Bench: Sean Johnson (DC), Héctor Herrera (HOU), Evander (CIN), Hany Mukhtar (NSH), Tomás Chancalay (MIN), Joseph Paintsil (LA), Timo Werner (SJ), Emmanuel Sabbi (VAN), Hugo Cuypers (CHI)

The Men in Red return to Soldier Field to kick off a four-game homestand across all competitions, starting with an interconference match against Sporting KC on Saturday, April 25. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. CT and the match will be broadcast globally on Apple TV. It will be transmitted locally on WLS 890 AM in English and the Uforia by TREBEL app in Spanish.