Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. CT / 2:30 p.m. ET
Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
TV/Streaming: Apple TV (MLS Season Pass), TSN (Canada), WGN-TV (Chicago local)
The 2026 MLS regular season’s second weekend features an Eastern Conference matchup as the Chicago Fire host CF Montréal in the Fire’s home opener at historic Soldier Field. Both teams enter with identical 0-1-0 records after disappointing Week 1 road losses, setting up a must-improve clash for early points and momentum. Chicago aims to leverage home energy and attacking firepower under head coach Gregg Berhalter, while Montréal seeks to rebound from a humiliating shutout defeat.
Weather Updates
Chicago-area conditions on Saturday call for cloudy skies with a high near 45°F (7°C) and low around 31°F (-1°C) by kickoff and evening. Winds from the southwest at 10-15 mph, with gusts possible near the lakefront at Soldier Field (lake-effect wind chill could make it feel 5-10°F cooler). No precipitation expected, but cold temperatures and wind could affect ball movement and player comfort—favoring teams with strong set-piece routines and physicality. Field conditions at Soldier Field are expected to be firm and fast.
Team Context
- Chicago Fire FC (0-1-0, Eastern Conference): Finished 8th in the East last season and made the playoffs under Berhalter. They open with attacking depth but defensive questions after a narrow road loss.
- CF Montréal (0-1-0, Eastern Conference): Struggled in 2025 (13th in East) and started 2026 with a heavy defeat. They rely on counter-attacks and star forward Prince Owusu but showed major defensive vulnerabilities on the road.
Recent Team Forms (Last Match – Week 1)
Chicago Fire: 0-1 (loss 2-1 at Houston Dynamo on Feb. 21). They showed fight with a late goal but conceded early and struggled with finishing. Strong possession and attacking chances created, but defensive lapses in transition hurt them.
CF Montréal: 0-1 (loss 5-0 at San Diego FC on Feb. 21). A nightmare opener—dominated from start to finish, conceding multiple goals before halftime. Poor organization at the back and no real threat going forward. Montréal will be desperate to tighten up defensively.
Injury Report
Chicago Fire FC:
- OUT: André Franco (lower body – season-ending ACL from 2025), Andrew Gutman (lower body), Viktor Radojević (lower body).
- QUESTIONABLE: Jonathan Bamba (lower body), Jack Elliott (head), Jonathan Dean (not injury-related).
- Key absences in defense and midfield force reliance on new signings (Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Anton Salétros) and depth.
CF Montréal:
- No major new injuries reported post-Week 1. Luca Petrasso (LB, earlier preseason concern) is fully available and expected to start. Core group (Prince Owusu, Samuel Piette, Jalen Neal, Tomás Avilés) all available. Minor knocks possible after heavy loss, but no long-term issues noted.
Key Player Matchups
- Hugo Cuypers (Chicago striker, 2025 goal machine) vs. Montréal center-backs (Neal/Avilés): Cuypers thrives in the box; Montréal’s backline looked shaky conceding 5 goals last week—prime chance for Cuypers to open his account.
- Philip Zinckernagel (Chicago attacking mid, 15G/13A in 2025) vs. Samuel Piette (Montréal captain, defensive mid): Zinckernagel’s creativity and long-range threat test Piette’s positioning and tackling.
- Robin Lod / Anton Salétros (Chicago new midfield) vs. Montréal midfield (Piette + Iván Jaime): Chicago’s refreshed central engine looks to control tempo against a Montréal side that was overrun in Week 1.
- Prince Owusu (Montréal striker, 13 goals in 2025) vs. Chicago defense (Mbokazi / Waterman / Rogers): Owusu is Montréal’s main threat on counters; Chicago’s rebuilt backline must contain his hold-up play and runs in behind.
Series History
All-time in MLS: Montréal leads slightly (13 wins, 10 losses, 8 draws for Chicago). Recent meetings have been competitive and often low-scoring or decided by single goals. Chicago has performed well at home against Montréal historically, winning several recent Soldier Field encounters. Last meeting (2025) saw a narrow result favoring the home side in similar conditions.
Betting Trends
- Chicago unbeaten in last 4 home openers; strong as home favorites early in season.
- Montréal 1-5-2 in last 8 road games vs. Eastern foes; 0-4-1 in season openers since 2023.
- 7 of last 10 H2H games featured Under 2.5 goals.
- Both teams to score (BTTS) hit in only 4 of last 8 meetings; Chicago home games trend low-scoring under Berhalter.
- Early-season unders common (Week 1 league-wide averaged ~2.4 goals/game).
MATCH ODDS
Chicago Fire FC – 185
CF Montreal Impact + 380
Draw + 350
Over 3.5 -+ 105 Under 3.5 – 135
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, February 27, 2026
