Major League Soccer Regular Season - 11
Chicago Fire 2 - 3 FT FC Cincinnati
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
16' H. Cuypers
Evander 24'
28' H. Cuypers (P. Zinckernagel)
Evander (K. Mboma) 31'
HT
↓ T. Anunga ↑N. Hagglund 46'
K. Smith 56'
59' ↓ R. Lod ↑J. Bamba
↓ G. Valenzuela ↑M. Miazga 66'
K. Denkey 68'
↓ K. Mboma ↑T. Barlow 77'
↓ K. Denkey ↑A. Jabbari 77'
↓ B. J. Ramirez Leon ↑A. Lajhar 88'
A. Lajhar 90'
90'+1 H. Cuypers (H. Cuypers)
90'+3 D. D'Avilla
Evander 90'+7
90'+8 ↓ J. Dean ↑J. Shokalook
A. Chirila 90'+12
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Chicago Fire
Goalkeepers
Chris Brady 
SIEVE
25%
Save %
25%
Save %
3
Conceded
1
Saves
Defenders
Jonathan Dean 
ARCHITECT
5
Key Passes
5
Key Passes
0
Assists
49%
Pass Acc
Jack Elliott 
STORMTROOPER
3
Shots
3
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Mbekezeli Mbokazi 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
99
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Andrew Gutman
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Midfielders
Dje Tah D'Avilla 
FRIENDLY FIRE
Pen Given
Mistake
Pen Given
Mistake
4
Fouls
6
Rating
Anton Salétros
ARCHITECT
4
Key Passes
4
Key Passes
0
Assists
45%
Pass Acc
Philip Zinckernagel
ARCHITECT
6
Key Passes
6
Key Passes
1
Assists
39%
Pass Acc
Robin Lod
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
59
Total Mins
59
Entry
Maren Haile-Selassie
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
99
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Forwards
Hugo Cuypers 
CLUTCH HERO
90
Goal Time
90
Goal Time
Goal
Impact
8.9
Rating
BENCH
Josh Cohen 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Joel Waterman
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Viktor Radojević
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Mauricio Pineda
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Sergio Oregel
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jonathan Bamba
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
40
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
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jason Shokalook
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
1
Total Mins
Started
Entry
FC Cincinnati
Goalkeepers
Roman Celentano 
PENALTY HERO
1
Pens Saved
1
Pens Saved
8
Saves
9.7
Rating
Defenders
Kyle Smith
FRIENDLY FIRE
Red Card
Mistake
Red Card
Mistake
1
Fouls
5.2
Rating
Andrei Chirila
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
99
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Samuel Gidi
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
0
Assists
57%
Pass Acc
Midfielders
Pavel Bucha
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
99
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Gerardo Valenzuela
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
66
Total Mins
66
Entry
Tah Anunga
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
46
Entry
Bryan Ramirez 
SWEEPER
5
Cleanups
5
Cleanups
3
Interceptions
2
Blocks
Forwards
Evander
CLUTCH HERO
90
Goal Time
90
Goal Time
Penalty
Impact
10
Rating
Kenji Mboma Dem 
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
2
Key Passes
6.3
Rating
Kévin Denkey
LATE SHIFT
13
Late Mins
13
Late Mins
77
Total Mins
77
Entry
BENCH
Evan Louro
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Nick Hagglund
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
54
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Matt Miazga
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
33
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ayoub Lajhar
FRIENDLY FIRE
Pen Given
Mistake
Pen Given
Mistake
1
Fouls
6
Rating
Gilberto Flores
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Stiven Jimenez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Tom Barlow
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
22
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ayoub Jabbari
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
22
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ender Echenique
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04/18/2026 | FC Cincinnati | 3 - 3 | Chicago Fire | Major League Soccer | TQL Stadium |
| 07/05/2025 | FC Cincinnati | 2 - 1 | Chicago Fire | Major League Soccer | TQL Stadium |
| 04/20/2025 | Chicago Fire | 2 - 3 | FC Cincinnati | Major League Soccer | Soldier Field |
| 07/17/2024 | FC Cincinnati | 0 - 1 | Chicago Fire | Major League Soccer | TQL Stadium |
| 03/03/2024 | Chicago Fire | 1 - 2 | FC Cincinnati | Major League Soccer | Soldier Field |
| 06/03/2023 | FC Cincinnati | 1 - 0 | Chicago Fire | Major League Soccer | TQL Stadium |
| 03/19/2023 | Chicago Fire | 3 - 3 | FC Cincinnati | Major League Soccer | Soldier Field |
| 10/01/2022 | FC Cincinnati | 2 - 3 | Chicago Fire | Major League Soccer | TQL Stadium |
| 05/15/2022 | Chicago Fire | 1 - 2 | FC Cincinnati | Major League Soccer | Soldier Field |
| 10/20/2021 | FC Cincinnati | 3 - 4 | Chicago Fire | Major League Soccer | TQL Stadium |
04/18/2026
07/05/2025
04/20/2025
07/17/2024
03/03/2024
06/03/2023
03/19/2023
10/01/2022
05/15/2022
10/20/2021
Chicago Fire Win
FC Cincinnati Win
Draw
League Standings
P: 8 GD: +13
P: 9 GD: +8
P: 9 GD: +3
P: 10 GD: -2
P: 8 GD: +4
P: 7 GD: +3
P: 10 GD: -9
P: 8 GD: 0
P: 9 GD: -3
P: 9 GD: -9
P: 6 GD: +1
P: 9 GD: -4
P: 7 GD: +1
P: 7 GD: +1
League Standings
| Pos | Team | P | Pts | GF | GA | GD | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nashville SC | 11 | 24 | 23 | 8 | +15 | |
| 2 | New England Revolution | 11 | 22 | 20 | 13 | +7 | |
| 3 | Inter Miami | 12 | 22 | 26 | 21 | +5 | |
| 4 | Chicago Fire | 11 | 17 | 20 | 14 | +6 | |
| 5 | DC United | 12 | 16 | 15 | 17 | -2 | |
| 6 | FC Cincinnati | 12 | 16 | 24 | 27 | -3 | |
| 7 | Charlotte | 12 | 15 | 20 | 21 | -1 | |
| 8 | New York Red Bulls | 12 | 15 | 19 | 28 | -9 | |
| 9 | Toronto FC | 12 | 14 | 20 | 24 | -4 | |
| 10 | CF Montreal | 11 | 12 | 16 | 23 | -7 | |
| 11 | New York City FC | 11 | 12 | 19 | 18 | +1 | |
| 12 | Columbus Crew | 11 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 0 | |
| 13 | Atlanta United FC | 12 | 10 | 13 | 20 | -7 | |
| 14 | Orlando City SC | 12 | 10 | 16 | 34 | -18 | |
| 15 | Philadelphia Union | 12 | 6 | 10 | 19 | -9 |
P: 11 GD: +15
P: 11 GD: +7
P: 12 GD: +5
P: 11 GD: +6
P: 12 GD: -2
P: 12 GD: -3
P: 12 GD: -1
P: 12 GD: -9
P: 12 GD: -4
P: 11 GD: -7
P: 11 GD: +1
P: 11 GD: 0
P: 12 GD: -7
P: 12 GD: -18
P: 12 GD: -9
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Ten-Man Cincinnati Steal Points in Stoppage-Time Thriller
Must-Watch Futmetrix Score: 100/100. An unforgettable showcase of counter-attacking resilience, as a brilliant hat-trick snatched victory for a shorthanded side against a sheer wall of offensive pressure.
The Opening Track Meet
Soldier Field played host to an absolute track meet in the opening half-hour. The Balance of power swung wildly as the two sides traded heavy blows in a spectacular 15-minute window. H. Cuypers drew first blood for the Chicago Fire in the 16th minute, capitalizing on the hosts' controlled possession and early attacking momentum. But FC Cincinnati refused to fold under the pressure. Evander leveled the score with a sharp finish, only for Cuypers to restore the lead four minutes later following a clever ball from P. Zinckernagel. The frantic rhythm continued unabated when Evander immediately equalized again in the 31st minute. Despite Chicago outshooting their visitors by a staggering margin and generating far more dangerous looks, the scoreboard remained deadlocked heading into the locker room.
The Red Card Siege
The complexion of the match shifted dramatically in the 56th minute when K. Smith was shown a straight red card, reducing Cincinnati to ten men. The Intensity dialed up to a fever pitch as Chicago initiated a relentless attacking siege. The Fire unleashed a barrage of 30 total shots, turning the final third into a one-sided shooting gallery. However, they found themselves completely stymied by Roman Celentano. The Cincinnati goalkeeper put on a shot-stopping masterclass, making eight crucial saves to keep his heavily unfavored side in the game. Corner after corner rained down on the visitors' penalty area, but the exhausted defense somehow held their nerve against the overwhelming pressure.
Stoppage-Time Heartbreak
The closing moments delivered pure MLS chaos, capping off a remarkable fixture. In the 91st minute, Chicago had the golden opportunity to seal the win, but Cuypers agonizingly missed his penalty kick, failing to secure his own hat-trick and letting the visitors off the hook. That critical miss set the stage for a monumental Upset. Deep into stoppage time at the 97th minute, FC Cincinnati was awarded a penalty of their own after a desperate defensive sequence from the hosts. Evander stepped up to the spot and coolly dispatched it, completing his hat-trick and stealing all three points. This smash-and-grab victory lifts Cincinnati closer to the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference standings, while Chicago will be left wondering how a match they utterly dominated slipped through their fingers.
Key Questions
How did the red card for K. Smith impact the match?
It reduced Cincinnati to ten men for the final 35 minutes, forcing them into a low block to absorb Chicago's relentless 30-shot offensive siege.
Was the penalty miss by Evander the turning point?
Actually, Evander scored his 97th-minute penalty to win the match. The real turning point was H. Cuypers missing his penalty for Chicago just moments earlier.
What made Evander the Man of the Match?
Evander delivered a flawless performance, scoring a rare and decisive hat-trick—including a 97th-minute penalty—to carry a 10-man team to an unlikely away victory.
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.
A Shootout Looms in the Windy City
Highly Entertaining Futmetrix Score: 71/100. Chicago's red-hot momentum meets Cincinnati's defensive chaos in a matchup that practically guarantees goals.
The Setup
Soldier Field hosts an intriguing Eastern Conference clash that promises fireworks. Chicago Fire are cruising in third place with a rock-solid Form rating, fueled by a dominant five-match unbeaten streak. On the other side, FC Cincinnati sits down in ninth, their respectable attacking output completely undermined by a chaotic backline shipping nearly four goals a game. This staggering defensive leakiness creates a probability gap that heavily favors the hosts. While the early-season Stakes remain relatively modest as teams jockey for playoff positioning, the sheer volume of expected action makes this fixture unmissable. A disrupted Balance means the visitors will be forced to take risks from the opening whistle.
Key Battle
Philip Zinckernagel is the creative heartbeat of the home side. The Stars rating highlights his electric playmaking and lethal finishing in the final third. He faces a direct shootout against Cincinnati's Kévin Denkey, who must carry the away side's entire offensive burden to compensate for their porous defense. If Zinckernagel finds space between the lines, Cincinnati will struggle to survive the full ninety minutes.
Our Prediction
Chicago will dominate possession early and ruthlessly exploit the glaring gaps in the away defense. Cincinnati will undoubtedly find the back of the net—Denkey is too sharp to keep completely quiet—but the home side’s relentless firepower will overwhelm the visitors. Expect a high-scoring Chicago victory where the attacking quality simply outpaces the defensive resistance.