Chicago Fire FC will wrap up a three-game homestand tonight on the lakefront in an Eastern Conference matchup against Charlotte FC. Kickoff at Soldier Field set for 7:30 p.m. CT and the match will be broadcast across the globe on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. It will be transmitted locally in English on wlsam.com and in Spanish on Que Buena Fire via the Uforia App.
The Men in Red will look for a repeat performance of their last match against Charlotte, a 4-1 victory at Bank of America Stadium in the Queen City highlighted by midfielder Brian Gutiérrez's second brace of the season. His performance earned them a place on the MLS Team of the Matchday for Matchday 14 alongside defender Andrew Gutman.
Chicago Fire FC Director of Football and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter has named the following Starting XI tasked with sweeping the season series against Charlotte:
- Two changes have been made to the Starting XI that faced Philadelphia on Wednesday, June 25.
- Defender Sam Rogers returns to the Starting XI for the first time since May 25, lining up next to Fire captain Jack Elliott at centerback for the 11th time this season. The Seattle native will play in the 13th match of his Major League Soccer career, assisting goalkeeper Jeff Gal in his fifth start with Chicago this season.
- Defender Jonathan Dean will start his 12th match of the season at right back in the 60th regular season appearance of his career. He returns to the lineup across the field from left back Andrew Gutman, who will start for the 19th time this season – the most starts for one team in a single season since making 22 starts for Atlanta United in 2022.
- Midfielder Mauricio Pineda will start the third match of the current homestand, sharing the midfield with fellow Homegrowns Sergio Oregel Jr. and Brian Gutiérrez for the 10th time this season.
- MLS All-Star Philip Zinckernagel starts his 17th match of the season with a Fire-leading 14 goal contributions. The Danish winger will join Hugo Cuypers and Jonathan Bamba in the attack looking to add to the Fire’s total tally of 35 goals in 2025.
- Goalkeeper Chris Brady (international duty); defenders Carlos Terán (Lower Body) and Christopher Cupps (Lower Body); and midfielders Rominigue Kouamé (Lower Body), Chris Mueller (Not Due to Injury) and David Poreba (Lower Body) are also unavailable for selection today.
- Available off the bench for Berhalter are goalkeeper Bryan Dowd; defenders Leonardo Barroso and Omar González; midfielders Maren Haile-Selassie, Kellyn Acosta, Omari Glasgow, Dje D’Avilla and Sam Williams; and forward Tom Barlow.
