Match Information
Chicago Fire FC (11-7-6, 39 points) at Nashville SC (16-3-6, 54 points)
Saturday, September 19, 2026
8:30 p.m. CT
GEODIS Park – Nashville, Tenn.
How to Watch:Â Apple TV
English: Keith Costigan & Maurice Edu
Spanish: Diego Pessolano & Daniel Chapela
How to Listen: WLSam.com // TUDN Chicago 106.7-HD2
English: Max Anderson & Joe Chatz
Spanish: Omar Ramos & Teresa Limon
Match Preview
Chicago Fire FC heads to the Music City for an Eastern Conference matchup against Supporters’ Shield leaders Nashville SC on Saturday, Sept. 19 at GEODIS Park.
Chicago closed out the week with another conference meeting against the New England Revolution on Sunday afternoon at Soldier Field. New England scored on either side of halftime, in the 39th and 47th minutes, to go ahead 2-0 before Chicago responded in the 62nd minute to cut the lead in half. Maren Haile-Selassie timed his shot and sent a laser to the lower left corner for his team-leading eighth goal of the season. But a late surge was not enough as a second Haile-Selassie tally was called offside late in the second half, putting an end to the Fire’s seven-game unbeaten streak in league play.
After a record-breaking start to 2026 that saw it threaten the league’s single-season points record, Nashville cooled off as the calendar turned to September. Since a 4-0 home victory against FC Cincinnati on Aug. 29, the Boys in Gold have not won again in three road matches this month. They last closed out a three-game road trip with a match against Inter Miami last Saturday. This meeting of the top two teams in the East did not disappoint, as Nashville’s opening tally was answered by Miami before the 20th minute mark. The hosts took the lead via Leo Messi in the second half, but Sam Surridge pounced seconds into stoppage time to win a point for the visitors in their quest for the Supporters’ Shield.
All-Time MLS Regular Season Record vs. NSH: (2-6-2)
Last Match vs. NSH: April 4, 2026 (1-0 W) – Soldier Field – Chicago (Match Recap)
Last Match at NSH: April 26, 2025 (2-7 L) – GEODIS Park – Nashville, Tenn. (Match Recap)
Hyundai Keys to the Match:
- Boots on Broadway: It will be boots on the ground in the Music City for the opener of a two-game road trip on Saturday night. The matchup will be a tough one against the Supporters’ Shield leaders, who seek revenge after a 1-0 loss at Soldier Field in April.
- Great Dane Opry: Philip Zinckernagel became the first player since 2001 to record back-to-back 10-assist seasons on Sunday. The Danish winger also comes in with two goals in two games against Nashville and could put on a show in the Music City with another goal contribution.
- The Parthenon: Noah Allen has quickly integrated himself into the Fire backline, playing all 90 minutes in each of his last two matches. The versatile defender has shown why he has received call-ups from the Greece U-21 Men’s National Team and could be a factor in the Athens of the South.
Match Notes
- Maren Haile-Selassie's goal against New England on Sunday was his fifth in his last five matches for Chicago, leading the current squad with eight goals during the regular season. Combined with his eight assists, the Swiss winger now leads Chicago with 16 goal contributions in 2026.
- Haile-Selassie's eighth goal of the season also gave him a total of 21 in four seasons with Chicago, tying him with Nate Jaqua as the 12th best scorer in Fire history. Combined with his eighth-best 28 assists, his 49 goal contributions are one short of tying Chris Armas and Justin Mapp for sixth-most in Club history.
- Philip Zinckernagel recorded his 10th assist of the year on Sunday, becoming only the second player in Club history to record back-to-back seasons with 10 or more assists. Piotr Nowak recorded 14 in 2000, following that campaign with 10 in 2001.
- In Chicago’s last match against Nashville – a 1-0 victory on April 4 at Soldier Field – Zinckernagel tallied the fastest goal in Fire history at 16 seconds, a full nine seconds faster than Jamar Beasley (2001) and Dominic Oduro (2012). His first goal of the season was also the eighth-fastest in league history, tied with Conor Casey (Colorado, 2009) and Pedro Vite (Vancouver, 2023).
- Zinckernagel is the only player with a goal against Nashville SC on the current Fire squad. The Danish winger has tallied twice and added one assist in only two matches against the Boys in Gold. Haile-Selassie leads the way with two assists, while Homegrown goalkeeper Chris Brady leads all goalkeepers in Club history with two wins and two shutouts against Nashville.
Starting XI
Chicago Fire FC Director of Football and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter will name a Starting XI approximately one hour before kickoff in Nashville.
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