- Chicago Fire have won 2 of their last 3 MLS 2026 games away from home but have lost their last 3 home games in this season’s campaign.
- Toronto FC have won just 1 of their 3 MLS 2026 away games, conceding 6 goals in the process.
- Chicago Fire have won 3, drawn 2 and lost 0 of the last 5 MLS head-to-heads against Toronto.
Fire can warm up for break with a win
With the World Cup break on the horizon, this is a significant game for Chicago Fire and Toronto FC as they look to gain momentum and build some clarity for the second half of the season. Toronto have struggled overall this season and have hit a rough patch of form, falling to a three-game losing run in their most recent games.
Chicago Fire have been on a better run of form in 2026, winning two of their last three MLS games and losing three of their last five, but they have a poor record at home in this campaign, losing their last three home matches at Soldier Field.
Toronto have failed to win any of their last 5 MLS matches and have struggled on the road, taking just one win from three games and conceding six goals. With a record of 17 points from 11 games, Chicago Fire sit 12th in MLS 2026, whilst Toronto are just below them in 20th after picking up 14 points from 12 matches.
Can Chicago stretch Toronto’s central block?
Gregg Berhalter’s Chicago Fire have implemented an exciting and shape-shifting style of play. The Fire have adopted a possession-first approach, rotating the midfield to create numerical advantages and pressing the ball in specific moments to win it back high up the pitch.
Robin Fraser’s Toronto FC are far more pragmatic, looking to sit in a compact defensive shape and be solid in the centre of the park. The Reds rely on quick transitions and set pieces, but often lack pressing intensity.
Aristizabal to continue firing for Toronto
Emilio Aristizabal has been a breath of fresh air for Toronto FC in recent weeks, scoring 3 of his side’s last 5 MLS goals and looking the most likely of any forward to create a spark in Toronto’s attacking play.
But he could be in trouble against a Chicago Fire side led by talisman Hugo Cuypers, who has netted 11 goals in 8 MLS 2026 appearances, and 3 in his last 5 games. Daniel Salloi is also a threat, notching 4 goals in 12 MLS 2026 appearances and providing consistent threat up front.
The last meeting between these sides in the MLS season of 2025 ended as a 2-2 draw, and a similarly high-scoring affair could be on the cards as Chicago Fire look to take advantage of home advantage and the potency of their front line. Toronto FC’s solid defensive block will struggle to contain the hosts’ width and their ability to push forward in numbers and they could be vulnerable at the back.
We’re going for a Chicago Fire win and over 2.5 goals in this game, with odds of 1.51 for a home win seeming too short and the Over 2.5 goals market looking a solid bet at 1.46. We’re also going for Both teams to score - Yes at 1.62 as both teams will fancy their chances of getting on the scoresheet in this one.
