Match Information
Chicago Fire FC (14-8-6, 48 points) vs. Philadelphia Union (12-10-6, 42 points)
Oktoberfest, pres. by Illinois Soybean Association
Beer Stein Giveaway for First 5,000 Fans
Wednesday, October 14, 2026
7:30 p.m. CT
Soldier Field – Chicago
How to Watch:Â Apple TV
English: Jonathan Yardley & Calen Carr
Spanish: Bruno Vain
How to Listen:Â WLS 890 AMÂ //Â TUDN Chicago 106.7-HD2
English: Max Anderson & Joe Chatz
Spanish: Omar Ramos & Teresa Limón
Match Preview
Chicago Fire FC will close out a three-game homestand at Soldier Field against the Philadelphia Union on Wednesday, Oct. 14.
Following a home victory against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Oct. 6, the Fire returned to Eastern Conference play against New York City FC on Saturday afternoon. A 19th-minute visiting strike compounded by two yellow cards left the Fire one goal and one man down at halftime. But Maren Haile-Selassie brought Chicago back to life 10 minutes into the second half, assisting Anton Salétros with his first goal of the year. The Swiss winger then pounced on a loose pass to complete the turnaround in the 87th minute, finishing the week with two goals, two assists, two victories and a contract extension through the 2028-29 season.
After a historically poor start to 2026 for last year's Supporters’ Shield winners, Philadelphia has not lost in 13 matches since the league’s restart following FIFA World Cup 2026. The Union last defeated Real Salt Lake 2-1 behind two assists by 17-year-old midfielder Cavan Sullivan, who has powered much of the streak with a goal or assist in each of the last nine matches. He and his hometown side now have their sights set on the Fire, who won their last matchup on March 21 at Subaru Park.
All-Time MLS Regular Season Record vs. PHI: (12-16-9)
Last Match vs. PHI: June 25, 2025 (0-1 L) – Soldier Field – Chicago (Match Recap)
Last Match at PHI: March 21, 2026 (2-1 W) – Subaru Park – Chester, Pa. (Match Recap)
Hyundai Keys to the Match:
- 99 Luftballons: Jonathan Dean has made a name for himself among Fire faithful since joining in 2023. The hardworking fullback has 99 regular season appearances with Chicago – his next will make him the 25th player in Club history to play 100 games with the Fire.
- Trans Europa Express: Swiss winger Maren Haile-Selassie scored his 10th goal of the season and assisted Swedish midfielder Anton Salétros on Saturday. Polish striker Robert Lewandowski got his ninth goal contribution in just 10 starts. The Fire’s European contingent is operating on all cylinders with Philadelphia ahead.
- Wind of Change: The Fire returned to the playoffs in 2025 for the first time in eight years. One year later, the Men in Red are one win away from back-to-back postseason appearances for the first time since 2009. Expectations are different this time around, but the goal remains the same: to bring a title to Chicago.
Match Notes
- A victory will see the Fire match last season’s total of 15 victories. It will also mark the first time since 2001 that Chicago sees back-to-back 15-win seasons, as well as back-to-back 50-point campaigns. Anton Salétros’ equalizer against New York City also assured the Fire a 50-goal campaign, giving his side back-to-back 50-goal seasons for the first time since 2001, the last of a four-year streak.
- Director of Football and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter earned his 96th regular season victory on Saturday, one win shy of former Orlando City SC and Minnesota United FC head coach Adrian Heath as 16th all-time in Major League Soccer. With a win on Wednesday, Berhalter would also become the first coach since Bob Bradley in 2000 to win 10 matches at Soldier Field in a single season.
- Jonathan Dean’s next appearance will be his 100th for Chicago Fire FC in MLS regular season play. The defender will become the 25th player in Fire history to break the century mark, and the first since Maren Haile-Selassie accomplished the feat on May 9. Dean will become the fourth player on the current squad to appear in 100 matches, joining Haile-Selassie, Mauricio Pineda and Chris Brady.
- Maren Haile-Selassie and Robin Lod are tied for most goals against the Union among current Fire players with two, with the former also having two assists in six meetings between the Eastern Conference sides. Both Jonathan Bamba and Jack Ellliott also tallied in the 2025 postseson meeting last October.
- Defender Sam Rogers (Lower Body), and midfielders André Franco (Lower Body), Robin Lod (Lower Body), Anzor Mekvabishvili (Lower Body) and Dje D'Avilla (Suspension) are not available for selection against Philadelphia on Wednesday.
Starting XI
Chicago Fire FC Director of Football and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter will name a Starting XI approximately one hour before kickoff on the lakefront.Â
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