Venue: GEODIS Park, Nashville, Tennessee.
Kickoff: 9:30 p.m. ET / 8:30 p.m. CT
Broadcast on Apple TV.
Current Weather Forecast (Nashville / GEODIS Park area)
Hot and humid conditions expected, with sunny to partly cloudy skies and highs in the mid-to-upper 90s°F (around 35–37°C). Heat index values may reach the mid-100s°F. Evening temperatures should fall into the mid-to-upper 70s°F (~24–26°C). Light winds and very low precipitation chance, creating warm but dry night conditions for the match.
Current Player Rosters
Nashville SC (Head Coach: B.J. Callaghan):
Goalkeepers: Brian Schwake (primary), Joe Willis, Xavier Valdez.
Defenders: Jack Maher, Jeisson Palacios, Maxwell Woledzi, Daniel Lovitz, Andy Najar, Josh Bauer, others.
Midfielders: Hany Mukhtar, Cristian Espinoza, Edvard Tagseth, Alex Muyl, Patrick Yazbek, Bryan Acosta, others.
Forwards: Sam Surridge, Warren Madrigal (status dependent), others.
Chicago Fire FC (Head Coach: Gregg Berhalter):
Goalkeepers: Chris Brady (primary), others.
Defenders: Jack Elliott, Andrew Gutman, Jonathan Dean, Leonardo Barroso, Mbekezeli Mbokazi (status dependent), others.
Midfielders: Philip Zinckernagel, Anton Salétros, Maren Haile-Selassie, Robin Lod, Dje Tah D’Avilla, others.
Forwards: Jonathan Bamba, Robert Lewandowski (noted in some reports), others.
Listed Injury/Suspension Reports
Nashville SC: Warren Madrigal (lower body, out). Relatively healthy otherwise, with core attackers Surridge and Mukhtar available. Daniel Lovitz may have card-related watch.
Chicago Fire FC: André Franco (knee/lower body, out long-term), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (thigh, recovering/returning to training but status monitored). Other depth pieces may be limited; key creators like Zinckernagel and Haile-Selassie expected available.
Recent Team Forms (Approximate Last 5 MLS Matches)
Nashville SC: Strong overall with home dominance — D 2-2 at Inter Miami, L 1-2 at Toronto, D 0-0 at NYCFC, W 4-0 vs Cincinnati, W 3-2 vs Columbus. Unbeaten at home and leading the Eastern Conference/Supporters’ Shield race.
Chicago Fire FC: Mixed recent results — L 1-2 vs New England, D 1-1 vs Inter Miami, D 4-4 at Toronto, D 2-2 at Seattle, earlier wins mixed with draws. Solid mid-table Eastern Conference form but inconsistent away.
Series History / Head-to-Head
Nashville holds a clear all-time edge (historically strong home record against Chicago, including multi-goal wins). In 2026, Chicago won 1-0 at Soldier Field in April. Nashville remains unbeaten at home vs. the Fire in prior meetings.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups
Sam Surridge / Hany Mukhtar (NSH attack and creativity) vs. Chicago center backs (Elliott and partners) and Chris Brady: Surridge’s finishing and Mukhtar’s vision will test Chicago’s organization.
Philip Zinckernagel / Maren Haile-Selassie / Jonathan Bamba (CHI creation and width) vs. Nashville defense (Maher/Palacios/Woledzi) and Brian Schwake: Chicago needs clinical transitions against a stout home unit.
Midfield control: Espinoza / Tagseth / Muyl (NSH energy and progression) vs. Salétros / Lod / D’Avilla (CHI structure). Fullback battles (Lovitz/Najar vs. Gutman/Dean) will influence wide play.
Betting Trends
Nashville’s home form, defensive solidity, and conference lead make them strong favorites; Chicago’s attacking threats offer upset potential.
MATCH ODDS
Chicago Fire FC + 305
Nashville SC – 125
Draw + 305
Over 3 – 120 Under 3 – 107
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, September 18, 2026
