The playoff-bound Chicago Fire FC returns home to the lakefront one last time in the regular season on Fan Appreciation Night, presented by Zayed Law Offices. Kickoff against Toronto FC is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, Oct. 4. The match will be broadcast globally on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV and will be transmitted locally on wlsam.com (English) and Que Buena Fire via the Uforia App (Spanish).
Following a playoff-clinching 5-3 victory against Inter Miami CF last Tuesday, Sept. 30 in South Florida, the Fire will turn their attention to Toronto FC. The Canadian side is officially out of the playoff picture, but comes into the match unbeaten in the last seven, drawing with a handful of playoff teams in the process.
Director of Football and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter has named the following Starting XI tasked with getting the full three points against the Reds:
- Five changes have been made to the Starting XI that clinched the Fire’s first postseason spot since 2017 on Tuesday night.
- Defender Sam Rogers returns to the lineup after serving a suspension for yellow card accumulation on Tuesday. The center back previously started in Chicago’s victories against playoff contenders Minnesota United FC and Columbus Crew alongside captain Jack Elliott and Canadian international Joel Waterman, who also start today.
- Days after scoring his ninth goal of the season to close out the Fire’s 5-3 victory at Miami, midfielder Brian Gutiérrez starts his 24th match of the season. He will share an attacking role alongside Philip Zinckernagel, who is back in the Starting XI after coming in from the bench in Tuesday’s match.
- The Homegrown duo of Mauricio Pineda and Sergio Oregel Jr. start a match together for the first time at home since July 12. They will man the midfield in place of Dje D’Avilla, who will start on the bench after scoring a goal in Miami on Tuesday, and André Franco, who is out for the season with a lower body injury.
- Following news of his call-up to the U.S. Men’s National Team for two friendlies in the October international window, Homegrown goalkeeper Chris Brady will start the 91st match of his career. Brady posted a career-high 12th win of the season in Miami, and will look for his sixth shutout of the year.
- Maren Haile-Selassie returns as a wingback following a hat trick of assists in Man of the Match performance against Miami. He will start off from the right wing tonight opposite Andrew Gutman, who starts his 33rd regular season match of 2025.
- Forward Hugo Cuypers will look for his 18th goal of the season tonight at the front of the Fire attack in his 32nd start of the season.
- Besides Franco, defenders Leonardo Barroso (lower body), Viktor Radojević (lower body) and Omar González (lower body), and midfielder Chris Mueller (not due to injury) are unavailable for selection tonight.
- Available off the bench for Berhalter are goalkeeper Jeff Gal; defenders Jonathan Dean, Christopher Cupps and Justin Reynolds; midfielders Rominigue Kouamé, Kellyn Acosta and Dje D’Avilla; and forwards Tom Barlow and Jonathan Bamba.
