Chicago City Wire

Chicago Fire FC defender Joel Waterman has been named to the MLS Team of the Matchday for Matchday 35 after scoring his first goal for the club in a 3-0 win over Minnesota United FC. The match took place Saturday night at Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Waterman’s goal came in the 26th minute. After drawing a foul near the opponent's penalty area, midfielder André Franco delivered a cross into the box. The ball deflected and landed at Waterman's feet, allowing him to score what would become the game-winning goal.

This is Waterman’s fourth appearance on an MLS Team of the Matchday Starting XI and his first with Chicago Fire FC. He was previously recognized in Matchday 16 of the 2024 season while playing for CF Montréal and was also named to the bench on Matchday 20 that year.

The rest of this week’s Team of the Matchday includes Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Alonso Martínez (New York City FC), Son Heung-Min (LAFC), Brendan McSorley (St. Louis CITY SC), Evander (FC Cincinnati), Martín Ojeda (Orlando City SC), Denis Bouanga (LAFC), Richie Laryea (Toronto FC), Édier Ocampo (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), and Brad Stuver (Austin FC). Pascal Jansen from New York City FC was selected as coach.

The bench features Matt Freese (NYCFC), Tim Parker (New York Red Bulls), Christian Cappis (FC Dallas), Jack McGlynn (Houston Dynamo FC), Miguel Almirón (Atlanta United FC), Marcel Hartel (St. Louis CITY SC), Myrto Uzuni (Austin FC), Christian Benteke (D.C. United) and Brenner (FC Cincinnati).

Chicago Fire will next play at home against Columbus Crew on September 27 during Hispanic Heritage Night, presented by Meridian. The match begins at 7:30 p.m. CT and will be available globally via MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, with local radio coverage in English on wlsam.com and Spanish broadcasts through Que Buena Fire on the Uforia App.

"Chicago Fire FC defender Joel Waterman was named to the MLS Team of the Matchday for Matchday 35 following his goal-scoring performance in the Fire’s 3-0 road victory against Minnesota United FC Saturday night at Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minn."

"Waterman earned his first league honor with Chicago after opening the scoring in the 26th minute of the match against Minnesota United. After drawing a foul in the final third, midfielder André Franco crossed the ball into the box, which spilled into the path of Waterman. The Canadian international pounced on the rebound to claim his first goal with the Fire, the lead and the eventual game-winning goal."

"This is Waterman’s fourth mention on the Starting XI of the MLS Team of the Matchday and first with Chicago. The Canadian international was previously named to the list in Matchday 16 of the 2024 regular season with CF Montréal, and the team’s bench on Matchday 20 of the same year."