RECAP: Fire Get Back on Track With Win Over Montreal, 2-0
Just as they were about to hit the panic button, the Chicago Fire have found their footing.
The Men in Red recorded yet another win over a Canadian side on Saturday night, taking down CF Montreal 2-0 on the road.
The victory puts the club right back in the MLS playoff race with 11 matches left.
Fire’s Dynamic Duo Lights Up Quebec
Hugo Cuypers has been stellar for Chicago throughout the 2025 season. Saturday was no different, as the Fire talisman scored just 13 minutes in. After Leonardo Barroso struck the post from the edge of the box, Cuypers pounced on the rebound to make it 1-0. It was the Belgian’s 13th goal of the season, placing him joint-5th in MLS.
Cuypers’ trusty partner in crime on the front line, Philip Zinckernagel, got in on the fun after halftime. The Fire won a corner in the 53rd minute, and the winger stepped up to take it as always. While unable to replicate his olimpico from Wednesday, Zinckernagel delivered a brilliant assist. His cross found Jack Elliott at the front post, and the captain blasted a header past the goalkeeper.
It was a milestone moment for both men – Zinckernagel became the first Chicago player ever to reach 10 goals and 10 assists in an MLS season, while Elliott bagged his first goal in a Fire kit.
Long-Awaited Defensive Stability
The Men in Red are an entertaining side to watch. They score a lot of goals, but they also struggle massively at the back. Those defensive problems did not show in Montreal. The Fire kept just their third clean sheet of the MLS season and first since May 3rd. It was a big morale boost for Chris Brady, who’s been excellent throughout the year but starved for shutouts due to back-line instability. The goalkeeper made four saves against Montreal.
As for the defenders, they were collectively solid at the Stade Saputo. Fullbacks Barroso and Andrew Gutman were impressive on both sides of the ball. Elliott earned player of the match honors thanks to his goal and clean sheet. Sam Rogers picked up an injury in the 42nd minute and made way for veteran Omar Gonzalez—the 36-year-old put in a stellar shift in the absence of the absent Carlos Teran and Christopher Cupps.
Crunch Time in the MLS
The Fire still have plenty of work to do if they are to return to the playoffs for the first time in eight years. They sit just outside the playoff line in the Eastern Conference with a crucial match against the New York Red Bulls coming up.
Regardless of what transpires in the last 11 games of the season, however, 2025 has been an improvement.
The team has already surpassed its points total from 2024 and scored more goals than they did all of last year.
“We’re focused on making a playoff push, and we’re not there yet,” head coach Gregg Berhalter said when asked about the milestone.
“It’s not the time to celebrate things like that.”
Throughout the post-match press conference, Berhalter was highly complimentary of his squad. He emphasized the “group effort” and praised Barroso and Maren Haile-Selassie for their performances, while naming Elliott his “coach’s man of the match.” As always, the manager took the time to discuss Zinckernagel’s importance to the team, labeling his 10-and-10 mark “a great accomplishment.”
The Danish star will next head to Austin for Wednesday’s MLS All-Star Game. The rest of the Fire squad, however, will get a much-needed midweek reprieve after playing five matches in 14 days.
Chicago’s direct clash with fellow playoff hopefuls NYRB will take place at Soldier Field on Saturday.
A win will put the team where they want to be – above the playoff line.
PHOTO: Brett Davis/Imagn Images
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