Major League Soccer Gameweek 4
Chicago Fire 1 - 2 FT DC United
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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' ↓ R. Lod ↑M. Haile-Selassie
65' ↓ J. Elliott ↑J. Waterman
65' ↓ D. D'Avilla ↑M. Pineda
↓ Gabriel Pirani ↑C. Clark 78'
81' H. Cuypers
M. Peltola 84'
↓ Peglow ↑J. Murrell 86'
T. Baribo 90'
Matti Peltola 90'+1
↓ B. Servania ↑S. Nealis 90'+5
90'+5 ↓ J. Dean ↑V. Radojevic
90'+5 ↓ L. Barroso ↑D. Borso
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Chicago Fire
Goalkeepers
Chris Brady 
PROVOCATEUR
1
Fouls Won
1
Fouls Won
1
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Defenders
Leonardo Barroso 
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
0
Assists
29%
Pass Acc
Jack Elliott 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
65
Total Mins
65
Entry
Mbekezeli Mbokazi 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
2
Tackles
78%
Duel Win %
Jonathan Dean 
FRIENDLY FIRE
Pen Given
Mistake
Pen Given
Mistake
1
Fouls
7
Rating
Midfielders
Anton Salétros 
MAGNET
101
Activity
101
Activity
95
Passes
6
Duels
Tah D'Avilla
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
65
Total Mins
65
Entry
Robin Lod
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
18%
Pass Acc
Philip Zinckernagel
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jonathan Bamba 
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
Forwards
Hugo Cuypers 
CLOSER
1
Late Goals
1
Late Goals
0
Late Assists
75
Minute
BENCH
Josh Cohen 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Joel Waterman
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
25
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Mauricio Pineda
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
25
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Viktor Radojević
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
12
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Puso Dithejane
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Dylan Borso
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
12
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Maren Haile-Selassie
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
25
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Sergio Oregel
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jason Shokalook
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
DC United
Goalkeepers
Sean Johnson
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Silvan Hefti
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Lucas Bartlett
PROVOCATEUR
2
Fouls Won
2
Fouls Won
3
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Kye Rowles 
SWEEPER
6
Cleanups
6
Cleanups
3
Interceptions
3
Blocks
Keisuke Kurokawa
SWEEPER
6
Cleanups
6
Cleanups
6
Interceptions
0
Blocks
Midfielders
Jackson Hopkins
FRIENDLY FIRE
Pen Given
Mistake
Pen Given
Mistake
4
Fouls
6.3
Rating
Matti Peltola
CLOSER
1
Late Goals
1
Late Goals
0
Late Assists
75
Minute
Brandon Servania
SWEEPER
4
Cleanups
4
Cleanups
3
Interceptions
1
Blocks
João Peglow 
NPC
86
Minutes
86
Minutes
29%
Pass Acc
6.3
Rating
Forwards
Tai 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
Jordan Farr
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Alex 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
Conner Antley
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jared Stroud
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Hosei Kijima
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Caden Clark
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
12
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Gavin Turner
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jacob Murrell
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
22
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03/15/2026 | Chicago Fire | 1 - 2 | DC United | Major League Soccer | Soldier Field |
| 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 |
03/15/2026
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: 26 GD: +32
P: 26 GD: +12
P: 25 GD: +15
P: 26 GD: +10
P: 25 GD: +7
P: 26 GD: +8
P: 26 GD: -14
P: 26 GD: -14
P: 25 GD: -7
P: 26 GD: +5
P: 25 GD: -8
P: 26 GD: -10
P: 26 GD: -5
P: 25 GD: -14
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Chicago Fire
DC United
Chicago Fire
DC United
Win Probability
Futmetrix AI estimate
Late Penalty Chaos Flips the Script at Soldier Field
Must-Watch Futmetrix Score: 94/100. 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.
Archive note: this preview was written after the match was played.
Early Top-Four Ambitions Collide in Chicago
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 40/100. 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.