Match Information
Chicago Fire FC (1-1-1, 4 points) vs. D.C. United (1-2-0, 3 points)
Saturday, March 14, 2026
7:30 p.m. CT
Soldier Field – Chicago
How to Watch: Apple TV
English: Nate Bukaty & Devon Kerr
Spanish: Moises Linares
How to Listen: WLS-AM 890 // Uforia App by TREBEL | 106.7 FM HD2
English: Luke Jorden & Joe Chatz
Spanish: Omar Ramos & Teresa Limón
Match Preview
Chicago Fire FC will return to Soldier Field for a Saturday night clash against D.C. United on March 14.
The Men in Red return to the lakefront with a point in tow following a 0-0 draw against the Columbus Crew in Ohio side’s 2026 home opener. Looking for their first win of the season, the Crew dominated possession through the opening half, but a sterling performance by goalkeeper Chris Brady and an unexpected debut for Homegrown player Dylan Borso sparked a momentum shift for Chicago. The match ended in a Mbekezeli Mbokazi counterattack shot that goalkeeper Patrick Schulte saved to keep Columbus from losing a home opener for the first time at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field.
D.C. United will arrive in Chicago coming off a tight 2-1 loss to Inter Miami CF in front of the largest home crowd in the club’s storied MLS history. A total of 72,026 fans filled M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore to watch the Black and Red take on the MLS Cup champions. The visitors took a 2-0 lead courtesy of the Argentine duo of Rodrigo De Paul and Lionel Messi, but the hosts got one back late on newcomer Tai Baribo’s second goal of 2026. But the revamped Miami defense held on for 15 minutes to deal D.C. its second loss of the season.
All-Time MLS Regular Season Record vs. DC: (24-27-22)
Last Game vs. DC: March 1, 2025 (2-2 D) – Soldier Field – Chicago (Match Recap)
Last Game at DC: June 7, 2025 (7-1 W) – Audi Field – Washington, D.C. (Match Recap)
Hyundai Keys to the Match:
- Back-to-Back-to-Back: More defensive dominance at Soldier Field? The Fire have posted back-to-back shutouts and have a chance at three with MLS Team of the Matchday goalkeeper Chris Brady in net. But it will take a team effort on the lakefront for his third in a row.
- Immovable Object: The Fire are among the best in defensive transitions, leading the league with 0 shots allowed on counters this season (per Hudl Statsbomb). Another clean sheet for Chris Brady will rely heavily on stopping D.C. at their best quality.
- Unstoppable Force: Mbekezeli Mbokazi has played all but two minutes in his first season in Chicago, nearly adding a goal in both of his last two matches. The South African defender has become a force to be reckoned with on both ends of the pitch. Another strong showing at Soldier Field could be a warning shot to the league.
Match Notes
- Chicago will face D.C. United for the first time since an historic 7-1 victory at Audi Field on June 7, 2025, in which it tied the Club record of goals scored in a single match (7-0 win at Kansas City on July 4, 2001). The match was one Fire goal away from tying the MLS record for goals scored by a visiting team set by LA Galaxy in an 8-1 victory at the Dallas Burn on July 4, 1998.
- D.C. United is Chicago’s third most common opponent in team history, facing off 73 times in regular season play. The mark is seven matches fewer than the Fire’s 80-game rivalry with Columbus, and two fewer than the 75 against the New England Revolution.
- Chris Brady recorded back-to-back shutouts for the first time this season and will be looking for his third in a row on Saturday against D.C. United. The Homegrown goalkeeper has posted three consecutive clean sheets once before, shutting out Nashville SC, CF Montréal and Toronto FC in July 2023.
- Defender Jack Elliott has recorded 1,634 minutes across 19 matches against D.C. United, both team highs. The center back has not scored but has two assists and 12 shots against the Black and Red.
- Five members of the 2026 Fire roster have scored against D.C. United, led by Hugo Cuypers and Andrew Gutman with two goals apiece in their career. Jonathan Bamba, Maren Haile-Selassie and Philip Zinckernagel each scored their first goals against D.C. in the 7-1 victory in June.
Lineups
Chicago Fire FC Director of Football and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter has named the following Starting XI tasked with getting a third consecutive clean sheet:
- Four changes have been made to the lineup that posted a shutout for only the second time at ScottsMiracle-Grass Field in Columbus.
- After missing the match in Columbus with a lower body injury, Chicago’s leading scorer Hugo Cuypers will start his 67th match for the Men in Red. The Belgian Striker will look for a goal in his third straight match, having tallied in the season opener against Houston and the home opener against Montréal this season.
- Lining up to the right of Cuypers will be the versatile Robin Lod, who appears in a fourth consecutive match in a different role for Chicago. The veteran made his first appearance for Chicago as a central midfielder in Houston; scored from the left against Montréal; then filled in at center forward in Columbus. He will line up across the front line from Jonathan Bamba, who scored the game-winner against Montréal on Feb. 28.
- Dje D’Avilla will appear in his 25th regular season match for Chicago making his 13th start in the central midfield. The midfielder has appeared in all three matches this year, but will make his second start of the season alongside Anton Salétros, who has played all 270 minutes of 2026.
- Defender Jonathan Dean returns to the starting XI after missing the match in Columbus. The fullback will start his 45th match for Chicago from the left side, opposite right back Leonardo Barroso in his fourth straight start of 2026.
- Manning the backline are the centre back duo of Jack Elliott and Mbekezeli Mbokazi, who start their third straight match together. Elliott will resume his role as team captain, while Mbokazi will continue his perfect attendance with a fourth consecutive start.
- Homegrown goalkeeper Chris Brady will look for a third straight shutout in goal for his hometown club. The Naperville native was named a starter on the MLS Team of the Matchday for his performance in Columbus and now has a chance at a similar outing against D.C. United.
- Chicago’s attack will funnel through Philip Zinckernagel, who starts in the center of the pitch against D.C. The Danish All-Star has fared well against the Black and Red in his career, recording his first goal contribution with Chicago in the 2025 home opener, then adding a goal and an assist in their last matchup in our nation’s capital on June 7, 2025.
- Goalkeeper Josh Cohen; defenders Viktor Radojević, Joel Waterman and Dylan Borso; midfielders Maren Haile-Selassie, Mauricio Pineda and Sergio Oregel Jr.; winger Puso Dithejane; and forward Jason Shokalook are available off the bench for Berhalter.
- Unavailable for selection tonight are defender Andrew Gutman (Lower Body) and midfielder Chris Mueller (Lower Body). Defender Sam Rogers (Lower Body) and midfielder André Franco (Lower Body) were placed on the league Injured List and will be unavailable for multiple weeks.
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