Chicago City Wire

The Chicago Fire FC will host Toronto FC at Soldier Field on Saturday, October 4, in their final home match of the regular season. The game, which starts at 7:30 p.m. CT, marks Fan Appreciation Night and is presented by Zayed Law Offices. Fans can watch the match globally on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV or listen locally through wlsam.com (English) and Que Buena Fire on the Uforia App (Spanish).

Chicago recently secured a playoff spot for the first time since 2017 after a 5-3 win over Inter Miami CF earlier in the week. In contrast, Toronto FC has been eliminated from playoff contention but remains unbeaten in its last seven matches.

Gregg Berhalter, Director of Football and Head Coach for Chicago Fire FC, announced five changes to the starting lineup compared to the team that clinched its postseason berth. Defender Sam Rogers returns after serving a suspension for yellow card accumulation. He joins captain Jack Elliott and Canadian international Joel Waterman in defense.

Midfielder Brian Gutiérrez starts his 24th match of the season following his ninth goal against Miami. Philip Zinckernagel also returns to the starting eleven after coming off the bench in Tuesday’s game. Homegrown players Mauricio Pineda and Sergio Oregel Jr. start together at home for the first time since July 12, replacing Dje D’Avilla—who scored in Miami and will be available as a substitute—and André Franco, who is out for the season with an injury.

Homegrown goalkeeper Chris Brady will make his 91st career start after being called up to the U.S. Men’s National Team for upcoming friendlies during October's international window. Brady achieved his twelfth win of the season against Miami and aims for his sixth shutout this year.

Maren Haile-Selassie resumes his role as wingback following a three-assist performance against Miami that earned him Man of the Match honors. Andrew Gutman starts on the opposite wing for his 33rd regular-season appearance this year.

Forward Hugo Cuypers leads Chicago’s attack as he seeks his eighteenth goal of 2025 in what will be his thirty-second start this season.

Unavailable players include André Franco (lower body), Leonardo Barroso (lower body), Viktor Radojević (lower body), Omar González (lower body), and midfielder Chris Mueller (not due to injury). The bench features goalkeeper Jeff Gal; defenders Jonathan Dean, Christopher Cupps, Justin Reynolds; midfielders Rominigue Kouamé, Kellyn Acosta, Dje D’Avilla; and forwards Tom Barlow and Jonathan Bamba.

"Director of Football and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter has named the following Starting XI tasked with getting the full three points against the Reds:"

"Five changes have been made to the Starting XI that clinched the Fire’s first postseason spot since 2017 on Tuesday night."

"Defender Sam Rogers returns to the lineup after serving a suspension for yellow card accumulation on Tuesday."

"The center back previously started in Chicago’s victories against playoff contenders Minnesota United FC and Columbus Crew alongside captain Jack Elliott and Canadian international Joel Waterman, who also start today."

"Days after scoring his ninth goal of the season to close out the Fire’s 5-3 victory at Miami, midfielder Brian Gutiérrez starts his 24th match of the season."

"He will share an attacking role alongside Philip Zinckernagel, who is back in the Starting XI after coming in from the bench in Tuesday’s match."

"The Homegrown duo of Mauricio Pineda and Sergio Oregel Jr. start a match together for the first time at home since July 12."

"They will man the midfield in place of Dje D’Avilla, who will start on the bench after scoring a goal in Miami on Tuesday, and André Franco, who is out for the season with a lower body injury."

"Following news of his call-up to the U.S. Men’s National Team for two friendlies in the October international window, Homegrown goalkeeper Chris Brady will start the 91st match of his career."

"Brady posted a career-high 12th win of the season in Miami, and will look for his sixth shutout of year."

"Maren Haile-Selassie returns as a wingback following a hat trick of assists in Man of Match performance against Miami."

"He will start off from right wing tonight opposite Andrew Gutman, who starts his 33rd regular season match of 2025."

"Forward Hugo Cuypers will look for his 18th goal of season tonight at front Fire attack in his 32nd start year."

"Besides Franco defenders Leonardo Barroso (lower body), Viktor Radojević (lower body) Omar González (lower body), midfielder Chris Mueller (not due injury) are unavailable selection tonight."

"Available off bench Berhalter are goalkeeper Jeff Gal; defenders Jonathan Dean Christopher Cupps Justin Reynolds; midfielders Rominigue Kouamé Kellyn Acosta Dje D’Avilla; forwards Tom Barlow Jonathan Bamba."