Major League Soccer Regular Season - 6
Chicago Fire 1 - 0 FT Nashville SC
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
1' P. Zinckernagel (J. Bamba)
HT
↓ A. Muyl ↑W. Madrigal 61'
↓ M. Corcoran ↑P. Yazbek 61'
62' ↓ J. Elliott ↑C. Cupps
72' A. Saletros
78' D. D'Avilla
↓ C. Espinoza ↑A. Qasem 78'
↓ D. Lovitz ↑R. Baker-Whiting 78'
E. Tagseth 80'
81' ↓ M. Haile-Selassie ↑J. Shokalook
↓ E. Tagseth ↑W. Pacius 89'
90'+1 ↓ P. Zinckernagel ↑V. Radojevic
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Chicago Fire
Goalkeepers
Chris Brady 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
97
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Leonardo Barroso
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
97
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jack Elliott
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
62
Total Mins
62
Entry
Mbekezeli Mbokazi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
97
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Andrew Gutman
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
97
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Midfielders
Philip Zinckernagel 
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
Dje Tah D'Avilla
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
97
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Anton Salétros
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
97
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jonathan Bamba 
PROVOCATEUR
5
Fouls Won
5
Fouls Won
8
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Forwards
Robin Lod
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
97
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Maren Haile-Selassie
LATE SHIFT
9
Late Mins
9
Late Mins
81
Total Mins
81
Entry
BENCH
Josh Cohen 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Christopher Cupps
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
35
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Viktor Radojević
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
6
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Mauricio Pineda
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jonathan Dean
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
Puso Dithejane
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jason Shokalook
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
16
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Nashville SC
Goalkeepers
Brian Schwake
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
97
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Andy Najar 
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
0
Assists
70%
Pass Acc
Jeisson Palacios 
MAGNET
97
Activity
97
Activity
92
Passes
5
Duels
Maxwell Woledzi 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
4
Tackles
89%
Duel Win %
Daniel Lovitz
LATE SHIFT
12
Late Mins
12
Late Mins
78
Total Mins
78
Entry
Midfielders
Cristian Espinoza
LATE SHIFT
12
Late Mins
12
Late Mins
78
Total Mins
78
Entry
Matthew Corcoran
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
61
Total Mins
61
Entry
Edvard Sandvik Tagseth 
NPC
89
Minutes
89
Minutes
50%
Pass Acc
6.7
Rating
Alex Muyl
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
61
Total Mins
61
Entry
Forwards
Hany Mukhtar
PROVOCATEUR
4
Fouls Won
4
Fouls Won
5
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Sam Surridge
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
97
Total Mins
Started
Entry
BENCH
Joe Willis
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Reed Baker-Whiting
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
19
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jack Maher
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Thomas Williams
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Patrick Yazbek
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
36
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Bryan Acosta
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Warren Madrigal
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
36
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ahmed Qasem
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
19
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Woobens Pacius
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
8
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06/15/2025 | Chicago Fire | 0 - 2 | Nashville SC | Major League Soccer | Soldier Field |
| 04/27/2025 | Nashville SC | 7 - 2 | Chicago Fire | Major League Soccer | Geodis Park |
| 10/20/2024 | Chicago Fire | 0 - 3 | Nashville SC | Major League Soccer | Soldier Field |
| 09/19/2024 | Nashville SC | 1 - 0 | Chicago Fire | Major League Soccer | GEODIS Park |
| 07/09/2023 | Chicago Fire | 1 - 0 | Nashville SC | Major League Soccer | Soldier Field |
| 05/07/2023 | Nashville SC | 3 - 0 | Chicago Fire | Major League Soccer | GEODIS Park |
| 09/26/2021 | Chicago Fire | 0 - 0 | Nashville SC | Major League Soccer | Soldier Field |
| 07/18/2021 | Nashville SC | 5 - 1 | Chicago Fire | Major League Soccer | Nissan Stadium |
| 11/01/2020 | Nashville SC | 1 - 1 | Chicago Fire | Major League Soccer | Nissan Stadium |
06/15/2025
04/27/2025
10/20/2024
09/19/2024
07/09/2023
05/07/2023
09/26/2021
07/18/2021
11/01/2020
Chicago Fire Win
Nashville SC Win
Draw
League Standings
P: 4 GD: +4
P: 5 GD: +4
P: 6 GD: -4
P: 4 GD: +8
P: 3 GD: +6
P: 3 GD: +2
P: 4 GD: +1
P: 3 GD: +5
P: 4 GD: +4
P: 5 GD: -5
P: 4 GD: 0
P: 4 GD: -2
P: 5 GD: -5
P: 5 GD: -12
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
Early Strike Stalls Nashville
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 29/100. A first-minute stunner turned this top-of-the-table clash into a gritty trench war, proving Chicago's defense is ready for a championship push.
Lightning at Soldier Field
Fans had barely found their seats at Soldier Field before the game was turned completely on its head in a chaotic opening sequence. Right in the very first minute, J. Bamba saw a window of opportunity and threaded a perfectly weighted ball through the scrambling defense to find P. Zinckernagel. The midfielder ruthlessly smashed home the early opener, immediately shifting the entire dynamic of the match. That shocking early strike set the Intensity to a boiling point and completely blew up the pre-game scouting reports on both sidelines. What was widely billed as a tactical, cautious clash between the second and third teams in the standings instantly morphed into an intense attack-versus-defense scenario. The Chicago Fire had grabbed their prize almost immediately and quickly decided to protect it at all costs, deliberately allowing the visitors to dictate the rhythm while heavily fortifying their own penalty area to block any immediate response.
The Stranglehold
Once the dust finally settled from that lightning-fast opener, the Balance of play shifted entirely to the frustrated visitors trying to salvage their night. Nashville SC dominated possession, holding an overwhelming 61% of the ball as they camped out in the opposing half, but found themselves repeatedly banging their heads against an unyielding brick wall. Despite their impressive territorial control, Nashville struggled mightily to generate high-quality looks, mustering a meager 0.70 expected goals throughout the evening. Chicago actively disrupted the flow of the game with 19 tactical fouls, aggressively chopping up the tempo and immensely frustrating the opposing midfield. Even with the veteran Andy Najar pushing forward relentlessly to provide a desperately needed creative spark, logging two key passes from the backline, the elusive breakthrough never materialized. Chicago simply absorbed the endless waves of pressure, staying incredibly disciplined and compact to smother any real danger before it developed.
Statement in the Standings
The final whistle cemented a massive result with major Stakes for the early season title race, sending a clear message to the rest of the league. By snapping Nashville's flawless winning streak, Chicago successfully closed the point gap at the top and secured a massive three points in front of their home supporters. The modest Upset Factor doesn't tell the whole story; this was exactly the kind of gritty, ugly win that contenders need to pull off when the pressure is on. Chicago remarkably managed 1.16 expected goals despite their extremely low possession numbers, demonstrating lethal offensive efficiency when it truly mattered. For Nashville, it serves as a harsh, frustrating lesson in the difficulties of converting empty possession into actual goals, as their previously undefeated streak abruptly ends on a very difficult, chilling night in Illinois.
Key Questions
What does this mean for Chicago Fire's season?
This victory cements their status as true title contenders, vaulting them closer to the top seed while proving they can grind out results against elite opposition.
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 MLS Title Credentials on the Line
Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 61/100. A top-of-the-table clash that will test Nashville's early dominance against a Chicago side eager to close the gap.
The Setup
The Nashville SC juggernaut rolls into Soldier Field on April 05, 2026, boasting an undefeated record and a ruthless attack. Sitting at the summit with thirteen points from five games, the visitors carry a daunting Form rating. Meanwhile, Chicago Fire occupy fifth place, looking to establish their own championship credentials. Despite the standings, the Balance rating suggests an incredibly tight affair, with the home side surprisingly favored by the pre-match odds. The Stakes are unusually high for the spring, as this acts as the first leg of a two-part battle, with the return fixture scheduled for September 20 at Nashville.
Key Battle
The Stars rating is off the charts thanks to two elite goal machines crossing paths. Chicago's Hugo Cuypers has hit the ground running, burying four goals in his first four outings. He faces off against Nashville's Sam Surridge, who is tearing the league apart with an astonishing seven goals over the same span. While Chris Brady has been incredibly busy for the hosts with double-digit saves already, stopping Surridge requires a flawless defensive shield, not just heroics between the posts.
Our Prediction
We expect a high-octane draw. Nashville's attack is terrifying, but Chicago's home advantage levels the playing field. Look for Cuypers and Surridge to both find the net, leaving the tie perfectly poised for the second leg.