Matchday Guide

Matchday | Chicago Fire FC Travels to New Jersey for Rematch against Red Bull New York

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Match Information

Chicago Fire FC (11-6-2, 35 points) at Red Bull New York (7-3-4, 25 points)
Saturday, August 22, 2026
6:30 p.m. CT
Sports Illustrated Stadium – Harrison, N.J.

How to Watch: Apple TV
English: Steve Cangialosi & Danny Higginbotham
Spanish: Diego Pessolano & Daniel Chapela

How to Listen: WLS 890 AM // TUDN Chicago 106.7-HD2
English: Max Anderson & Joe Chatz
Spanish: Liz Jiménez & Teresa Limon

Match Preview

Chicago Fire FC continues its four-game road trip in league play with a rematch against Red Bull New York on Saturday, August 22.

With two goals in the win against Cruz Azul six days prior, the red-hot Puso Dithejane struck again in only the fourth minute of the match against Orlando City SC on Wednesday. A weather delay culled the Fire's momentum near the half, which the hosts exploited to tie the match early in the second half. But in a moment of brilliance, forward Robert Lewandowski drew a foul in the box that gave him his first penalty attempt with Chicago. The Polish striker left no doubt on the kick, giving the Fire a 2-1 lead they would not relinquish. The victory was their sixth in a row across all competitions, the best such mark since 1998.

Red Bull New York has endured a tougher start to the second half of the season. Following a 3-2 win over Orlando on August 1, New York returned from a week off to see a 1-0 lead turn into a 2-1 loss against Atlanta United FC last Saturday. The Red Bulls held their own on Wednesday at home against Supporters' Shield leaders Nashville SC for 90 minutes, before a set piece header in stoppage time handed them their fourth loss in five matches since the break.

All-Time Major League Soccer Record vs. RBNY: (33-23-16)

Last Game vs. RBNY: May 9, 2025 (1-3 L) – Soldier Field – Chicago (Match Recap)
Last Match at RBNY: April 5, 2025 (1-2 L) – Sports Illustrated Stadium – Harrison, N.J. (Match Recap)

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Hyundai Keys to the Match:

  • Glory Days: The Men in Red extended their winning streak Wednesday to six across all competitions, a mark not seen since 1998. Can they extend the streak to seven just like they did in the glory days?
  • Thunder Road: After opening a four-game league road trip with a win in Orlando, Chicago faces a challenging New York side that just suffered a home loss to Nashville. Now is the time to strike for a fifth victory on the road in 2026.
  • Born to Run: Robert Lewandowski has hit the ground running with the Fire, scoring three goals in his last three league matches, including the game-winner in Orlando. The Polish icon is red-hot and ready to make some noise in New Jersey.
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Match Notes

  • A win against New York on Sunday would give the Men in Red seven in a row, the most across all competitions since 1998, when they rattled off 11 in a row in regular season play before winning their first-ever U.S. Open Cup match against Chicago Stingers on July 6.
  • Chicago enjoys a 33-23-16 edge all-time against Red Bull New York. The 33 wins are the most against any MLS team in Club history, while the 110 goals scored by the Fire are most against any team other than the New England Revolution (111).
  • Saturday’s match will be the 73rd regular season meeting between Chicago and New York, dating back to the Fire’s fifth game in Major League Soccer – a 1-0 loss to the team then known as the Metrostars at Soldier Field on April 17, 1998.
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Starting XI

Chicago Fire FC Director of Football and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter will name his Starting XI approximately one hour before first kick in New Jersey.

For instant updates, follow Chicago Fire FC on X (@chicagofire and @VamosFire using hashtags #cf97), Instagram (@chicagofire), TikTok (@chicagofire), Facebook at facebook.com/chicagofire/, Threads (@chicagofire) and Bluesky (@chicagofire.bsky.social).