Chicago Fire FC makes its way down south to the Peach State to take on Atlanta United FC on Wednesday, July 16.
The Fire last faced San Diego FC on Saturday night at Soldier Field. The inaugural matchup between the interconference rivals went to the visitors, who rode an Anders Dreyer brace and a pair of assists by Hirving “Chucky” Lozano to a 2-1 victory over the Fire. Forward Hugo Cuypers added his 12th goal of the season, the most by any Fire player in a single season since Robert Berić tallied a dozen in 2020. The match also closed out a run of five matches for Chicago that included the top four teams in the Supporters’ Shield standings.
Atlanta returns home to Mercedes-Benz Stadium after concluding a five-game road trip with a 1-1 draw at Toronto FC. The Five Stripes averted a fourth loss in five matches after winning a penalty in stoppage time. Leading goal scorer Emmanuel Latte Lath tallied 11 minutes into stoppage time to steal a road point away from the Reds, who led for most of the second half after a 48th minute goal. They will look to avenge their last loss to the Fire, a May 10 matinee that was decided by Rominigue Kouamé’s 86th minute winner.
Game Information
CHICAGO FIRE FC (8-9-4, 28 points) at Atlanta United FC (4-10-7, 19 points)
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Mercedes-Benz Stadium – Atlanta, Georgia
All-Time MLS Regular Season Record vs. ATL: (5-8-3)
Last Game vs. ATL: May 10, 2025 (2-1 W) – Soldier Field – Chicago (Match Recap)
Last Game at ATL: March 31, 2024 (0-3 L) – Mercedes-Benz Stadium – Atlanta (Match Recap)
Keys to the Match
Double or Nothing: Chicago Fire FC arrive in Atlanta with an aggressive mentality. The Men in Red have secured eight wins this season, doubling the total of the Five Stripes. They have also nearly doubled Atlanta's point total with a 40-23 goal advantage, highlighting the team’s offensive dominance and hunger for goal-scoring opportunities. The Fire know they have to bring the heat early to Mercedes-Benz Stadium and make another statement on the road.
Full Steam Ahead: Chicago will enter the City in a Forest prepared to fuel their stretch run. After weeks of competing against the best of MLS, the Fire have three of their next five matches against teams in the bottom third of the league, starting with Atlanta United on Wednesday. With six out of their eight wins on the road, the Fire are especially confident when touching down in rival territory. Currently two spots ahead of Atlanta in the playoff race, Chicago is focused on holding their position before rising up the standings again.
Reliable Romi: Rominigue Kouamé has made a notable impact in his 308 minutes this season. The midfielder has scored twice in crucial spots this season: a clinching goal on the road at Vancouver, and a game-winner against Atlanta in the Fire’s first home win. He is especially valuable in possession with his 90% passing accuracy that stands in the top five among his teammates. He is a valuable asset in the midfield, with a knack for finding the right spaces off the ball and composure when under pressure from opponents.
Midfielder Rominigue Kouamé (#6) celebrates his game-winner against Atlanta (Chicago Fire FC)
By the Numbers
2 – Philip Zinckernagel has scored or assisted in a Club-record eight consecutive road matches, leaving him two games behind the league record held by Josef Martínez. The Danish winger has a chance to tie the record this week with a pair of road tilts against Atlanta and Montréal. In his first matchup against the Canadian side, Zinckernagel tallied only his second goal of the season. He did not score or assist against Atlanta on May 10 but certainly had a hand in the Fire’s first home victory of the season.
8 – With his last goal against San Diego on Saturday, Hugo Cuypers climbed up to eighth place in most goals scored all-time in Club history. His 22 goals in two seasons now have him tied with Dema Kovalenko, Damani Ralph and 2013 MLS MVP Mike Magee. His 12 goals in 2025 are also tied for 10th most in a single season for a Fire player, with 13 matches left in 2025 to add to the total.
40 – Hugo Cuypers’ second half tally against San Diego FC gave the Fire 40 goals for the season, matching last year's total output. The number is also more than any season since 2019, when the Fire scored 55 goals, the eighth largest tally in the league. Chicago’s current scoring form has the team on track to score 64 goals this season, the second most in Club history behind the 67 recorded in the 2000 campaign.
How to Watch
Chicago's Eastern Conference clash against Atlanta on is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT on Wednesday, July 16. The match will be broadcast globally on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV and transmitted locally on wlsam.com (English) and Que Buena Fire via the Uforia app (Spanish).
