- Team form: Chicago Fire have the better overall record across their last 5 games, W4, L1, compared to New York Red Bulls' W2, D1, L2.
- Tactical style: RBNY are an energetic 4-2-3-1 side, but Chicago Fire are much more structured and patient with a possession-first game plan.
- Recent wins: Chicago Fire have won 4 of their last 5 matches and have won their last 4 overall.
Red Bulls’ home form has been patchy
Style and recent form
New York Red Bulls are a high-energy outfit and they try to make life as tough as possible for opponents by pressing high and immediately looking to play forward after regaining possession. Ibrahim Sekagya has led RBNY since July 2022, but the Red Bulls are currently in a sticky period and they've managed to win just 2 of their last 5 matches.
Home and away stats
RBNY are 2-1-3 at home in their last six matches, while Chicago Fire have won 4 of their last 5 MLS 2026 games.
RBNY have averaged 1.33 goals scored and 2.00 goals conceded per match at home across all current competitions, while Chicago Fire have averaged 2.0 scored and 1.60 conceded per away match across all competitions.
Chicago Fire can nick it
Chicago Fire, who have won 4 of their last 5 fixtures and won their last 4 in all competitions, look to be the more likely victors at Sports Illustrated Stadium, USA, this Saturday. Gregg Berhalter has led the Men in Red since October 2024 and his possession-first approach has brought structure, control and tactical flexibility to the side.
This will be a tough assignment against an aggressive RBNY outfit, but Chicago Fire travel well with 3 wins and 2 defeats in 5 away games across all comps, and their average of 2.00 goals per away game in 2026 suggests they have the firepower to hit the net in this matchup.
The contrasting styles and New York's high-pressing game should lead to an end-to-end game, but Chicago Fire's composure in possession could be the key if RBNY don't get their press to land on Saturday.
- The odds still favor Chicago Fire, who are 2.01 for the win compared to the Red Bulls at 3.51 and the draw at 4.01.
- Robert Lewandowski has 3 goals in Chicago Fire's last 5 games and could help them find the net against a Red Bulls side that has been leaky at the back of late.
- Hugo Cuypers is the main man for Berhalter's men, however, with the Belgian striker having scored 13 MLS 2026 goals in 11 matches in 2026.
