Chicago Fire vs Charlotte FC - prediction, team news, lineups

It is 4th versus sixth successful the MLS Eastern Conference connected Sunday arsenic Chicago Fire invited Charlotte FC to Soldier Field.

This weekend's gathering marks the archetypal brushwood betwixt the sides successful conscionable implicit a year, pursuing a five-goal thriller successful June 2025 erstwhile Chicago scored 3 times successful a 10-minute spell to instrumentality a commanding pb earlier Charlotte responded with 2 goals aft the break.

Match preview

Riding a three-game winning streak earlier the break, Chicago Fire were anxious to instrumentality to action, but a 3-2 decision to reigning champions Inter Miami connected July 23 halted their momentum, earlier Sunday's 3-1 nonaccomplishment to New York City further dampened morale.

Gregg Berhalter's men person present mislaid 5 of their past 8 matches successful each competitions, conceding 16 goals and keeping conscionable 1 cleanable expanse - a 2-0 triumph implicit Montreal.

Nonetheless, the Men successful Red person enjoyed a coagulated run arsenic they attack the halfway point, facing a Charlotte broadside who person mislaid the past 2 meetings aft antecedently winning 5 successful a row.

With 18 of their 26 points this play coming astatine home, Chicago volition backmost themselves to respond instantly to their mediocre tally of signifier arsenic they instrumentality to Soldier Field for the archetypal clip since beating Toronto FC successful May having had their July 17 clash against the Vancouver Whitecaps postponed.

Still searching for their archetypal cleanable expanse successful this fixture aft 8 attempts, Sunday's hosts are improbable to trust connected their defence to support retired the visitors and volition request to travel retired firing connected each cylinders up beforehand to assertion victory.

Charlotte continued their resurgence with a 2-0 triumph implicit the New York Red Bulls astatine Sports Illustrated Stadium connected Saturday evening, making it 3 wins from their past 4 matches either broadside of the World Cup break.

Dean Smith, overseeing his 100th crippled since taking complaint successful December 2023, watched his broadside alert retired of the blocks with first-half goals from Pep Biel and Ashley Westwood, putting the effect beyond uncertainty aboriginal on.

Saturday's triumph was conscionable their 2nd successful 7 distant league matches this season, highlighting country for betterment connected the roadworthy arsenic they look to consolidate their propulsion for a play-off spot aft back-to-back appearances, rather singular for a nine that lone joined MLS 4 years ago.

Key to Charlotte's improved signifier has been their beardown starts; they person opened the scoring and led astatine fractional clip successful each of their past 4 outings.

Next up for Sunday's visitors aft their travel to Chicago is simply a hectic Leagues Cup group-stage run that volition spot them play 3 times successful 7 days. Approaching that tally with momentum could beryllium crucial.

Chicago Fire Major League Soccer form:

Charlotte FC Major League Soccer form:

Team News

Christopher Cupps is presently connected planetary work with the USA Under-20s and is unavailable for Chicago, portion Andre Franco remains sidelined with a torn ACL.

Mbekezeli Mbokazi is besides retired for the hosts with a sound arsenic helium continues his hold for a nine instrumentality pursuing his World Cup quality for South Africa.

New signing Robert Lewandowski volition anticipation to unfastened his relationship astatine the 3rd attempt, with the Polish striker expected to instrumentality to the starting XI.

Aron John has not featured for Charlotte since July 6 owed to a persistent injury, which volition support the 20-year-old retired of Sunday's clash arsenic well.

Nimfasha Berchimas remains with the USA Under-20s and is unavailable, portion Allan Saint-Maximin - yet to marque his debut since joining from Lens - remains a doubt.

Chicago Fire imaginable starting lineup:

Brady; Gutman, Waterman, Elliott, Dean; Saletros, D’Avilla; Haile-Selassie, Bamba, Zinckernagel; Lewandowski

Charlotte FC imaginable starting lineup:

Kahlina; Toffolo, Ream, Morrison, Cleary; Biel, De La Torre, Westwood; Abada, Goodwin, Vargas

We say: Chicago Fire 3-1 Charlotte FC

With 17 goals scored crossed the past 3 meetings betwixt Chicago and Charlotte, different entertaining brushwood is apt arsenic 2 play-off hopefuls look off.

Charlotte are the much in-form broadside heading into Sunday's clash, but we expect the hosts to unafraid each 3 points erstwhile the particulate settles connected what should beryllium a thrilling affair.

For information investigation of the astir apt results, scorelines and much for this lucifer delight click here.