Chicago City Wire

Chicago Fire FC forward Hugo Cuypers has been named to the MLS Team of the Matchday for Matchday 24 following the team's 4-3 victory against the Philadelphia Union at Soldier Field on Wednesday night. Additionally, winger Maren Haile-Selassie was named to the MLS Team of the Matchday bench for his performance in the match.

The victory marked a historic moment for Chicago Fire FC, as it was the first time in club history that they scored three goals in less than 10 minutes to secure a win. Both Cuypers and Haile-Selassie played pivotal roles in this achievement. Cuypers scored his first career MLS brace, including the game-winner in stoppage time, extending his team-leading tally to nine goals. Haile-Selassie continued his scoring streak by netting a goal in his fourth consecutive game and assisting on Cuypers' decisive goal.

Cuypers initiated Chicago's comeback after they fell behind 3-1 in the 49th minute. A short corner from the left was played across the box, where Chris Mueller headed it back across goal, allowing Cuypers to redirect it inside the far post with a powerful header. The Fire leveled the score from another short corner in the 89th minute with a blast from Gastón Giménez. Three minutes later, Haile-Selassie lobbed the ball to an unmarked Cuypers at the back post, who finished from close range to secure all three points for Chicago.

Haile-Selassie's contributions were significant; he opened scoring against Philadelphia before assisting on Cuypers' game-winner. This marked his second occasion of tallying both a goal and an assist in 2024, having previously done so against Toronto FC on June 15.

Chicago will next travel to Northern California to face San Jose Earthquakes on Sunday, July 7. Kickoff at PayPal Park is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT and will be broadcast globally on MLS Season Pass and locally via wlsam.com (English) and WRTO 1200 AM (Spanish).