Charlotte 0 - 1 FT Chicago Fire
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
Sergio Oregel 23'
34' Djibril Diani
HT
49' ↓ Archie Goodwin ↑Tyger Smalls
Luca De La Torre 58'
61' Tyger Smalls
70' ↓ Djibril Diani ↑David Schnegg
70' ↓ Luca De La Torre ↑Brandt Bronico
74' Pep Biel
↓ Leonardo Barroso ↑Andrew Gutman 75'
↓ Sergio Oregel ↑Mauricio Pineda 75'
↓ Mbekezeli Mbokazi ↑Sam Rogers 80'
↓ Jonathan Bamba ↑David Poreba 80'
David Poreba 81'
81' ↓ Will Cleary ↑Nathan Byrne
81' ↓ Harry Toffolo ↑Nathan Richmond
82' Ashley Westwood
90'+8 Tim Ream
90'+8 Tim Ream
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Charlotte
Goalkeepers
Kristijan Kahlina 
OCTOPUS
8
Saves
8
Saves
0
Conceded
100%
Save %
Defenders
Will Cleary 
LATE SHIFT
9
Late Mins
9
Late Mins
81
Total Mins
81
Entry
Frederick Kessler 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
2
Tackles
58%
Duel Win %
Tim Ream 
FRIENDLY FIRE
Red Card
Mistake
Red Card
Mistake
1
Fouls
5.9
Rating
Harry Toffolo 
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Midfielders
Ashley Westwood
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Djibril Diani
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Pep Biel
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Luca de la Torre
FRIENDLY FIRE
Own Goal
Mistake
Own Goal
Mistake
0
Fouls
5.8
Rating
Allan Saint-Maximin 
ARCHITECT
4
Key Passes
4
Key Passes
0
Assists
17%
Pass Acc
Forwards
Archie Goodwin
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
49
Total Mins
49
Entry
BENCH
Tyler Miller 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Nathan Byrne
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
9
Total Mins
Started
Entry
David Schnegg
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
20
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Morrison Agyemang
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Andrew Privett
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Brandt Bronico
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
20
Total Mins
Started
Entry
B. Coulibaly
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Tyger Smalls
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
41
Total Mins
Started
Entry
N. Richmond
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
9
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Chicago Fire
Goalkeepers
Josh Cohen
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Jonathan Dean
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jack Elliott
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
3
Tackles
80%
Duel Win %
Mbekezeli Mbokazi
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
2
Tackles
57%
Duel Win %
Leonardo Barroso
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
3
Tackles
83%
Duel Win %
Midfielders
Sergio Oregel
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
75
Total Mins
75
Entry
Tah D'Avilla 
MAGNET
82
Activity
82
Activity
79
Passes
3
Duels
Maren Haile-Selassie
ARCHITECT
5
Key Passes
5
Key Passes
0
Assists
29%
Pass Acc
Forwards
Philip Zinckernagel 
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
8
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Johan Gómez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jonathan Bamba 
SWEEPER
4
Cleanups
4
Cleanups
0
Interceptions
4
Blocks
BENCH
Jeff Gal
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Sam Rogers
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
10
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Mauricio Pineda
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
15
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Andrew Gutman
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
15
Total Mins
Started
Entry
David Poręba
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
10
Total Mins
Started
Entry
W. Brody
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
O. Pineda
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
D. Boltz
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08/02/2026 | Chicago Fire | 2 - 1 | Charlotte | Major League Soccer | Soldier Field |
| 06/29/2025 | Chicago Fire | 3 - 2 | Charlotte | Major League Soccer | Soldier Field |
| 05/17/2025 | Charlotte | 1 - 4 | Chicago Fire | Major League Soccer | Bank of America Stadium |
| 10/02/2024 | Charlotte | 4 - 3 | Chicago Fire | Major League Soccer | Bank of America Stadium |
| 05/16/2024 | Chicago Fire | 0 - 1 | Charlotte | Major League Soccer | Soldier Field |
| 10/08/2023 | Chicago Fire | 0 - 2 | Charlotte | Major League Soccer | Soldier Field |
| 05/17/2023 | Charlotte | 2 - 1 | Chicago Fire | Major League Soccer | Bank of America Stadium |
| 09/18/2022 | Chicago Fire | 2 - 3 | Charlotte | Major League Soccer | Soldier Field |
| 08/06/2022 | Charlotte | 2 - 3 | Chicago Fire | Major League Soccer | Bank of America Stadium |
08/02/2026
06/29/2025
05/17/2025
10/02/2024
05/16/2024
10/08/2023
05/17/2023
09/18/2022
08/06/2022
Charlotte Win
Chicago Fire Win
Draw
League Standings
P: 24 GD: +31
P: 22 GD: +16
P: 23 GD: +10
P: 21 GD: +12
P: 22 GD: +3
P: 22 GD: +4
P: 22 GD: -11
P: 20 GD: -3
P: 22 GD: +3
P: 21 GD: -7
P: 20 GD: -11
P: 21 GD: -15
P: 22 GD: -6
P: 23 GD: -14
League Standings
P: 27 GD: +34
P: 27 GD: +9
P: 27 GD: +14
P: 27 GD: +10
P: 27 GD: +9
P: 27 GD: +10
P: 27 GD: -16
P: 27 GD: -17
P: 27 GD: +5
P: 26 GD: -9
P: 26 GD: -8
P: 27 GD: -4
P: 27 GD: -12
P: 27 GD: -13
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Charlotte
Chicago Fire
Charlotte
Chicago Fire
Win Probability
Futmetrix AI estimate
Chicago Defy the Odds in Charlotte Sucker Punch
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 47/100. A cruel own goal and a controversial VAR intervention combined to hand the visitors an unexpected victory on the road.
Early Embers
Bank of America Stadium expected a routine home victory given recent form, but the visitors arrived with other ideas. The Stakes were immense for Eastern Conference positioning, and Chicago Fire immediately imposed their will. The away side controlled possession with a 59 percent share, turning the early phases into a shooting gallery. A barrage of 29 combined shots kept the crowd on edge. Charlotte had to rely heavily on their defensive anchor, as K. Kahlina put on a goalkeeping clinic. His 8 crucial saves kept the hosts alive despite waves of relentless pressure and mounting corner kicks.
The VAR Heartbreak
The match flipped entirely in a frantic three-minute window just before the hour mark. First, a moment of pure chaos in the penalty area resulted in a devastating own goal involving Luca De La Torre, gifting the visitors a critical advantage. The Intensity immediately skyrocketed. Charlotte roared back instantly, seemingly finding their equalizer when Tyger Smalls found the back of the net in the 61st minute. However, the celebrations were cut agonizingly short. The VAR booth intervened, scratching the goal and deflating the home support. That massive swing in momentum shifted the entire emotional landscape of the contest.
Frustration Boils Over
Desperation crept in as the final whistle approached. Charlotte threw bodies forward seeking a dramatic equalizer, but the visitors showcased a high Balance in their defensive shape, absorbing the pressure effectively. The monumental Upset factor became undeniable as the clock ticked into stoppage time. Frustrations finally boiled over in the 90th minute when veteran Tim Ream was shown a straight red card, ending any lingering hopes of a comeback. Chicago secured three massive points, ending their winless slump and leaving the Carolina faithful to ponder what could have been.
Key Questions
How did the red card for Tim Ream impact the match?
His 90th-minute dismissal killed any remaining momentum for Charlotte, cementing their inability to mount a last-gasp comeback.
How did VAR change this match?
VAR decisively intervened in the 61st minute, canceling a crucial equalizing goal by Tyger Smalls and preserving Chicago's lead.
What made K. Kahlina the Man of the Match?
He produced an extraordinary 8 crucial saves to keep a heavily out-possessed Charlotte side within striking distance throughout the contest.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Eastern Conference Top Four Collision
Highly Entertaining Futmetrix Score: 75/100. A one-point gap in the standings sets the stage for a fiery encounter where crucial playoff seeding is on the line.
The Setup
Charlotte enters Bank of America Stadium riding a wave of momentum. Unbeaten in their last five outings, the hosts are clicking precisely when it matters. Conversely, Chicago Fire has stumbled, limping into this September 26 showdown on a frustrating string of draws that has stalled their top-four push. Despite these contrasting recent results, an off-the-charts Balance rating highlights how evenly matched these sides truly are. With both teams averaging over two goals a game and boasting a potent Form rating up front, defenses will be stretched to their absolute limits. The Stakes are crystal clear: the winner seizes control of the coveted fourth spot.
Key Battle
The midfield transitions will dictate the tempo of this game. Ashley Westwood has been quietly brilliant for Charlotte, orchestrating play and chipping in with crucial goal contributions. He must marshal the center of the park to cut off the supply line to Chicago Fire's attacking talisman, R. Lewandowski. The veteran striker remains a lethal threat with a strong Stars rating backing his reputation, meaning any space left by the home defense will be ruthlessly exploited.
Our Prediction
Charlotte’s home advantage and superior recent momentum give them a decisive edge, but Chicago’s firepower ensures this won't be a simple shutout. We expect an open, end-to-end contest. A high-scoring home victory seems the most likely script, with Chicago grabbing a goal but ultimately falling short against a resolute Charlotte attack.