CHICAGO (April 20, 2025) – Chicago Fire FC II returns to action after a week off to take on Eastern Conference foe Huntsville City FC on Sunday, April 20. First kick at Joe Davis Stadium is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT. The match can be streamed on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Chicago returns to the pitch following a 3-2 loss at New York Red Bulls II in the second leg of a four-game road trip. The home side took the lead before Homegrown midfielder Dylan Borso equalized shortly after halftime. But the Red Bulls would tally twice more, and a stoppage time goal by Claudio Cassano would be too little, too late for the Fire.
After a win in the opening week against the Fire, Huntsville City FC has been unable to get another win in regulation. In their last match, the Boys in Blue visited Crown Legacy FC, where Christian Koffi opened the scoring for the visitors. The hosts would tie it in the 76th minute and hold on for the draw, but Huntsville got out of the Carolinas with an additional point after a 4-3 shootout win.
Sunday’s meeting will be the fifth between the sides, with an even record of 1-1-2-1 each. The Fire lost their first matchup at home in March, but have won in regulation and in the shootout in their two visits to Huntsville.
By the Numbers
1 – In his 11th match in MLS NEXT Pro, Homegrown midfielder Dylan Borso tallied his first goal of the 2025 season against New York Red Bulls II on April 6. Borso has earned a high attacking pedigree after appearing in nine matches over the last two summers before heading to Wake Forest University in 2024. The midfielder appeared in all 24 matches for the Demon Deacons as a freshman, earning a spot on the ACC All-Freshman team.
5 – Chicago Fire Academy midfielder Peter Soudan leads the second team with five key passes in 2025. The young midfielder also leads the team with two assists while playing at right back. Playing on the wing as an attacker, and as a fullback on defense, Soudan is accustomed to contributing to the offense, tallying four goals and one assist last year in MLS NEXT Pro play.
85 – Chicago Fire FC II will celebrate its 85th regular season match Sunday against Huntsville. With a record of 30-29-25-11 all-time in MLS NEXT Pro, the Fire have seen a great deal of success in the four seasons they have played. They have especially experienced winning soccer in their last two seasons, which have resulted in a combined 20-16-20-9 record, two MLS NEXT Pro Playoff appearances, and one MLS NEXT Pro Golden Boot and MVP award for the Fire’s David Poreba in 2024.
Player Spotlight
A wall of Toronto FC II players await a free kick by Claudio Cassano (#51) (Andrea Salgado | Chicago Fire FC)
With only four matches under his belt, Claudio Cassano has already established himself as one of the premier attacking players in MLS NEXT Pro. The Italian winger leads in most attacking categories, including goals, shots, and shots on target. It’s the last stat that is noticeable; Cassano’s eight shots on target have him tied for sixth most in the league – on par with top prospects like Philadelphia’s Cavan Sullivan, and three short of league leader Seymour Reid of NYCFC II. Opposing defenses have taken note, making him among the players with most fouls suffered in MLS NEXT Pro with 10.
