Is Today the Day? Chicago Fire Chase a Playoff Berth
What a year it’s been for Chicago Fire FC on and off the pitch.
A massive squad and coaching staff upheaval preceded a transformation on the pitch. Off the pitch, the club has opened a state-of-the-art training facility and announced plans to relocate to a brand-new soccer-specific stadium in 2028. Joe Mansueto and Gregg Berhalter are taking the franchise into the future. Yet in some ways, the future is now.
The Men in Red take the pitch tonight for an away match against Inter Miami. Should Chicago’s finest take all three points, they will seal a spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2017.
Eight years of misery and uncertainty could very well end today.
And truth be told, no one deserves it more than the Fire.
A Brave and Effective Change
The Fire have been in a playoff position for the bulk of the 2025 season. Even so, there was a feeling of dread coming into the final stretch of the regular season, given Chicago’s tendency to collapse late in the year. A 3-1 defeat at home to New York City FC only accentuated those fears of failure, as the Fire dropped out of the Eastern Conference’s top nine.
What happened next was shocking and wonderful. Berhalter, a gifted but generally stubborn tactician, dropped his usual system. He swapped out the typical 4-3-3 setup for a 3-4-3 formation, moving his fullbacks into more advanced roles. The new-look back line responded in kind, notching back-to-back clean sheets for just the second time this year. The attackers are thriving too, putting three goals past Minnesota United and another two past the Columbus Crew. And perhaps most importantly, Andre Franco is blossoming into a top-class MLS midfielder. The double pivot suits his creative playstyle perfectly.
It seemed awfully bold to throw out the playbook in the midst of a playoff race, but the Fire have two comfortable upset wins to show for it. They need a mere two points from their final three matches to clinch a postseason berth. It’s as close as they’ve been to the playoffs since Mansueto’s purchase of the club in 2019.
Back Amongst the Elite Tonight?
Just a few months ago, a matchup with Inter Miami on the road would not have been something the Fire looked forward to. Now, the tables have turned. Miami have had to endure a schedule packed with midweek games after their participation in Leagues Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup. The Supporters’ Shield is still in sight, but Miami no longer controls its own destiny in that regard. Chicago, meanwhile, is looking bright, fresh, and (relatively) healthy.
Injuries to Viktor Radojevic (who has yet to debut) and Leonardo Barroso raise questions about whether the Fire will persist with the wingback formation tonight. Common sense dictates that they start in the 3-4-3 formation and switch back to a four-at-the-back formation as Andrew Gutman and Jonathan Dean tire. The pair have excelled in attack recently, and the Fire will want to suffocate the opposition early tonight.
Elsewhere, no changes are expected. Franco will be the principal creator once more, with Brian Gutierrez available as a super-sub off the bench. Philip Zinckernagel will chase history, needing just one goal involvement to tie Nemanja Nikolic’s single-season club record. That mark was set in 2017, the last year the Men in Red played playoff soccer. In so many ways, the Fire can turn over a new leaf with a victory tonight.
No Cause for Panic
The best news of all for Chicago is that they can play freely tonight. The tension and drama associated with a potential playoff clincher is eased by the fact that the Fire have a secure cushion. Their only remaining games after Inter Miami are against already-eliminated Toronto FC and New England Revolution.
Not to mention, points dropped by the New York Red Bulls will mathematically secure the Fire’s spot in the top nine.
It’s the perfect storm. Unburdened, confident as ever in their versatility and depth, the Men in Red could write a sensational new chapter in their 2025 story today.
What better way to break an eight-year curse than by defeating Messi and friends in their own backyard?
Discover more from Chicago Sports Nation
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
