CHICAGO (April 19, 2025) – FC Cincinnati is on an upward trajectory as they prepare to face the Chicago Fire at Soldier Field tonight, looking to extend their winning streak to four matches. After a rocky start to the season, the Orange and Blue have turned things around, recently securing back-to-back 1-0 victories, including a hard-fought win against D.C. United last weekend, courtesy of Dado Valenzuela's first-half goal.
FC Cincinnati (5-2-1, 16 points) has managed to climb to second place in the Eastern Conference, and a win tonight could propel them to the top, depending on results from other matches. However, injuries continue to plague the squad, with several key players sidelined. Despite this, the team has shown resilience, with players like Sergio Santos stepping up to deliver game-winning performances.
On the other hand, the Chicago Fire (3-2-3, 12 points) are looking to snap a three-match winless streak and secure their first home victory of the season. Their latest match ended in a scoreless draw against Inter Miami, leaving fans eager for a more potent offensive display. Head coach Gregg Berhalter acknowledges the challenge ahead, noting that FC Cincinnati has been one of the stronger teams in Major League Soccer over the past few years.
“Over the last couple of years, they’ve been one of the better teams in Major League Soccer from a performance standpoint,” Berhalter said. “They have robust center backs, a very physical team, and they added some quality with Evander and Kévin Denkey.”
Evander, who has been a key acquisition for Cincinnati, is expected to make his return to the lineup after missing the last two matches due to injury. The Brazilian midfielder has already made a significant impact this season, scoring four goals and providing an assist in just six appearances.
The matchup is particularly intriguing as it features two of the league's top scorers. Hugo Cuypers leads the Fire with five goals, while Evander is not far behind. Both players will be crucial for their respective teams as they seek to break through the opposing defenses.
Historically, matches between these two teams have been closely contested. The all-time series is evenly split, with the Fire holding a slight edge with five wins to Cincinnati's four. This matchup promises to deliver excitement, as both teams are desperate for points.
The Fire's lineup will feature Chris Brady in goal, who is coming off a clean sheet performance against Miami. The defense will be anchored by Jack Elliott and Carlos Terán, while the midfield will see a homegrown trio of Brian Gutiérrez, Sergio Oregel Jr., and Mauricio Pineda. Upfront, Cuypers will be supported by Jonathan Bamba and Philip Zinckernagel.
Cincinnati's lineup will seek to maintain their defensive solidity while capitalizing on set pieces and counter-attacks. The return of Evander is expected to bolster their attacking options significantly.
As the match kicks off at 8:30 p.m. ET, fans can tune in via the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. The atmosphere at Soldier Field is expected to be electric, with both sets of fans eager to see their teams secure vital points in the early stages of the season.
With both teams aiming for a positive result, the stage is set for an engaging battle on the pitch. Will Cincinnati continue their winning streak, or can Chicago find their form at home? Only time will tell as the action unfolds in this crucial Eastern Conference clash.
