Major League Soccer Regular Season - 4
Chicago Fire 1 - 2 FT DC United
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
Jackson Hopkins 34'
Tai Baribo 45'
HT
56' Jack Elliott
64' Dje Tah D'Avilla
65' ↓ J. Elliott ↑J. Waterman
65' ↓ D. D'Avilla ↑M. Pineda
65' ↓ R. Lod ↑M. Haile-Selassie
↓ Gabriel Pirani ↑C. Clark 78'
81' H. Cuypers
M. Peltola 84'
↓ Peglow ↑J. Murrell 86'
T. Baribo 90'
Matti Peltola 90'+1
90'+5 ↓ L. Barroso ↑D. Borso
90'+5 ↓ J. Dean ↑V. Radojevic
↓ B. Servania ↑S. Nealis 90'+5
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Chicago Fire
Goalkeepers
C. Brady 
PROVOCATEUR
1
Fouls Won
1
Fouls Won
1
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Defenders
L. Barroso 
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
0
Assists
29%
Pass Acc
J. Elliott 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
65
Total Mins
65
Entry
M. Mbokazi 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
2
Tackles
78%
Duel Win %
J. Dean 
FRIENDLY FIRE
Pen Given
Mistake
Pen Given
Mistake
1
Fouls
7
Rating
Midfielders
A. Saletros 
MAGNET
101
Activity
101
Activity
95
Passes
6
Duels
D. D'Avilla
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
65
Total Mins
65
Entry
R. Lod
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
18%
Pass Acc
P. Zinckernagel
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Bamba 
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
Forwards
H. Cuypers 
CLOSER
1
Late Goals
1
Late Goals
0
Late Assists
75
Minute
BENCH
J. Cohen 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
J. Waterman
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
25
Total Mins
Started
Entry
M. Pineda
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
25
Total Mins
Started
Entry
V. Radojevic
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
12
Total Mins
Started
Entry
P. Dithejane
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
D. Borso
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
12
Total Mins
Started
Entry
M. Haile-Selassie
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
25
Total Mins
Started
Entry
S. Oregel
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Shokalook
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
DC United
Goalkeepers
S. Johnson
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
S. Hefti
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
L. Bartlett
PROVOCATEUR
2
Fouls Won
2
Fouls Won
3
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
K. Rowles 
SWEEPER
6
Cleanups
6
Cleanups
3
Interceptions
3
Blocks
K. Kurokawa
SWEEPER
6
Cleanups
6
Cleanups
6
Interceptions
0
Blocks
Midfielders
J. Hopkins
FRIENDLY FIRE
Pen Given
Mistake
Pen Given
Mistake
4
Fouls
6.3
Rating
M. Peltola
CLOSER
1
Late Goals
1
Late Goals
0
Late Assists
75
Minute
B. Servania
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Peglow 
NPC
86
Minutes
86
Minutes
29%
Pass Acc
6.3
Rating
Forwards
T. Baribo 
CLUTCH HERO
90
Goal Time
90
Goal Time
Penalty
Impact
7
Rating
Gabriel Pirani
LATE SHIFT
12
Late Mins
12
Late Mins
78
Total Mins
78
Entry
BENCH
J. Farr
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
A. Bono
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
S. Nealis
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
12
Total Mins
Started
Entry
C. Antley
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Stroud
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
H. Kijima
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
C. Clark
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
12
Total Mins
Started
Entry
G. Turner
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Murrell
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
22
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06/07/2025 | DC United | 1 - 7 | Chicago Fire | Major League Soccer | Audi Field |
| 03/02/2025 | Chicago Fire | 2 - 2 | DC United | Major League Soccer | Soldier Field |
| 09/08/2024 | Chicago Fire | 1 - 2 | DC United | Major League Soccer | SeatGeek Stadium |
| 05/25/2024 | DC United | 1 - 1 | Chicago Fire | Major League Soccer | Audi Field |
| 09/02/2023 | DC United | 4 - 0 | Chicago Fire | Major League Soccer | Audi Field |
| 04/02/2023 | Chicago Fire | 0 - 0 | DC United | Major League Soccer | Soldier Field |
| 06/19/2022 | Chicago Fire | 1 - 0 | DC United | Major League Soccer | Soldier Field |
| 03/13/2022 | DC United | 0 - 2 | Chicago Fire | Major League Soccer | Audi Field |
| 09/15/2021 | DC United | 3 - 0 | Chicago Fire | Major League Soccer | Audi Field |
06/07/2025
03/02/2025
09/08/2024
05/25/2024
09/02/2023
04/02/2023
06/19/2022
03/13/2022
09/15/2021
Chicago Fire Win
DC United Win
Draw
League Standings
P: 3 GD: +3
P: 4 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: +6
P: 2 GD: +4
P: 3 GD: +1
P: 3 GD: +2
P: 2 GD: +1
P: 3 GD: +1
P: 2 GD: 0
P: 3 GD: -1
P: 3 GD: -4
P: 4 GD: -7
P: 2 GD: -1
League Standings
P: 10 GD: +15
P: 10 GD: +6
P: 11 GD: +3
P: 10 GD: +8
P: 11 GD: -2
P: 11 GD: -3
P: 11 GD: -1
P: 11 GD: -2
P: 11 GD: +1
P: 11 GD: 0
P: 11 GD: -11
P: 11 GD: -6
P: 11 GD: -16
P: 10 GD: -9
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Late Penalty Chaos Flips the Script at Soldier Field
Must-Watch Futmetrix Score: 93/100. A breathtaking nine-minute goal flurry and VAR interventions handed DC United a crucial first-leg advantage on the road.
First-Half Stalemate
Chicago Fire controlled the field early, dominating possession to the tune of 67%. Anton Salétros was pulling the strings in the midfield, earning top honors despite the eventual outcome. The Intensity spiked right before the locker room when T. Baribo found the back of the net for the visitors, only for VAR to cancel the celebrations and maintain a tense scoreless draw at the break.
The Penalty Dam Breaks
The second half remained a tactical chess match until the 79th minute. A crucial VAR check confirmed a penalty for the hosts following a sequence involving Philip Zinckernagel. H. Cuypers stepped up and buried the spot-kick to break the deadlock in the 81st minute. The Balance of the tie seemed to tip toward Chicago, anchored defensively by an impressive shift from Jack Elliott.
A Stunning Reversal
DC United refused to fold, showcasing incredible resilience. Just three minutes later, Matti Peltola silenced the crowd with a timely equalizer. As the game bled into stoppage time, VAR intervened once more, awarding a penalty to the visitors to complete the Upset. Baribo stepped up in the 90th minute, making no mistake this time to seal a massive 2-1 victory. The high Stakes mean DC United carries a vital lead into the second leg on May 13.
Key Questions
How did VAR change this match?
VAR cancelled a first-half DC goal, then confirmed two late penalties—one for each side—ultimately deciding this chaotic first leg.
How dramatic was the late winner by Anton Salétros?
Anton Salétros did not score the winner; it was T. Baribo who secured the dramatic stoppage-time penalty victory for DC United.
How did Chicago Fire complete the comeback from behind?
Chicago Fire did not complete a comeback. They took the initial lead, but DC United fought back with two late goals to secure the win.
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.
Early Top-Four Ambitions Collide in Chicago
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 39/100. With both sides locked on seven points, this early-season encounter sets the tone for the top-four race before the crucial return fixture.
The Setup
The battle lines are drawn at Soldier Field as Chicago Fire welcome DC United this March 15, 2026. Despite being just five games into the regular season, the top-four picture is already heating up. Both clubs sit on seven points, making this a pivotal clash to gain early leverage. Interestingly, this serves as the first act of a two-legged narrative, with the return leg scheduled for May 13 in Washington. A healthy Balance rating suggests these two are evenly matched on paper, though early-season Form is still stabilizing for both camps. The Stakes might feel modest in March, but dropping points now can severely damage a top-four push later.
Key Battle
With no individual grudges taking center stage, this matchup hinges on a classic tactical clash: the home side's attacking unit against the visitors' organized defensive line. Chicago has netted seven times already, but they face a resolute DC backline that has conceded just four goals. The duel in the penalty area, particularly how Chicago navigates past Sean Johnson after his impressive 14 saves this season, will dictate the tempo.
Our Prediction
We expect Chicago Fire to edge a tight victory on home soil. The momentum leans toward the hosts, driven by their slight attacking edge and the vital presence of Chris Brady between the posts. Anticipate a cautious opening before Chicago finds a breakthrough to take a narrow lead into the May return leg.