A pivotal Eastern Conference playoff battle unfolds at Soldier Field as Chicago Fire hosts New York Red Bulls on Saturday, July 26, 2025. With both clubs neck-and-neck in the standings and postseason hopes hanging in the balance, this Major League Soccer clash promises intensity, drama, and tactical nuance.
Match Details
Fixture: Chicago Fire vs. New York Red Bulls
Date: Saturday, July 26, 2025
Kickoff Time: 8:30 PM ET
Venue: Soldier Field, Chicago, IL
Broadcast: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Team Form & Standings
| Team | Record | Points | Last 5 Matches | Conference Rank |
| Chicago Fire | 9-9-5 | 32 | W-L-L-L-D | 10th (East) |
| New York Red Bulls | 9-9-6 | 33 | L-W-L-D-D | 9th (East) |
Chicago Fire is coming off a 2–0 win over CF Montréal, with goals from Hugo Cuypers and Jack Elliott.
New York Red Bulls suffered a 5–1 defeat to Inter Miami, despite an early goal from Alexander Hack.
Tactical Breakdown & Key Players
Chicago Fire
Manager: Gregg Berhalter
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Key Players:
Hugo Cuypers – 13 goals; clinical finisher and aerial threat
Philip Zinckernagel – 6 goals, 5 assists; creative engine
Chris Brady – 4 saves and a clean sheet vs. Montréal
Strategy:
High pressing and vertical transitions
Strong attacking output (2nd-most goals in East – 44)
Home form remains inconsistent (only 2 wins at Soldier Field)
New York Red Bulls
Manager: Sandro Schwarz
Formation: 3-5-2
Key Players:
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting – 13 goals; physical striker
Emil Forsberg – 4 goals, 3 assists; midfield maestro
Carlos Coronel – veteran goalkeeper with 7 clean sheets
Strategy:
Wing-back driven width and counter-attacks
Defensive lapses on the road (7 away losses in 2025)
Forsberg leads MLS midfielders in goal contributions over two seasons
Injury & Suspension Report
Chicago Fire:
Carlos Teran, David Poreba, Christopher Cupps, Chris Mueller, Justin Reynolds, Sergio Oregel – ALL OUT
New York Red Bulls:
Serge Ngoma, Lewis Morgan, Cameron Harper – OUT
Rafael Mosquera – ADDED via short-term agreement from NYRB II
MATCH ODDS
Chicago Fire – 110 Draw + 260 New York Red Bulls + 245
Over 2.5 – 17035 Under 3.5 – 170
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, July 25, 2025
