Chicago Fire vs NYCFC: Predictions, Picks, Odds & Lineups

Chicago Fire host NYCFC at Soldier Field on Saturday, October 10 (2:30 PM ET / 1:30 PM CT / 11:30 AM PT).

Chicago Fire have no fresh absences to contend with here, and that means Maren Haile-Selassie should lead the line again after a season that has already brought him 8 goals from 45 shots, with Robert Lewandowski and Philip Zinckernagel offering support from deeper areas and Robin Lod rotating into the final third. NYCFC arrive with their own spine intact: Nicolás Mercau remains the player to watch after a standout campaign in the attacking midfield role, with Axel Ojeda and Hannes Wolf both expected to feature alongside him in midfield.

Fifth in the East with forty-two points from twenty-six games, Chicago Fire have the look of a side building toward the business end of the season despite a rocky patch in the middle of this run, while NYCFC sit ninth and have struggled for any real consistency of their own. At Soldier Field, Chicago Fire’s attacking depth should be the deciding factor, with goals likely at both ends but the Fire holding the edge.

US viewers can watch Chicago Fire vs NYCFC on Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass.

Season Form & Standings

Chicago Fire sit fifth in the East with forty-two points from twenty-six games, won twelve, drawn six and lost eight, while NYCFC occupy ninth in the same conference as both sides continue to jostle for position in a crowded playoff picture.

Eastern Conference

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Potential Match-Winners

• Maren Haile-Selassie (Chicago Fire): Chicago Fire’s striker has scored 8 goals from 45 shots this season, with 21 on target and 42 chances created, and remains the focal point of the home attack.
• Philip Zinckernagel (Chicago Fire): The midfielder leads Chicago Fire for shots with 76, has created 54 chances and has chipped in with 5 goals of his own, making him the engine of this attack.
• Nicolás Mercau (NYCFC): NYCFC’s attacking midfielder has been the standout performer in this matchup, with 15 goals, 51 chances created and 36 shots on target — comfortably the most dangerous player on the field.

Recent Form

Chicago Fire: D D L L W

• 2026-09-27: Charlotte FC 0-1 Chicago Fire (W, away)
• 2026-09-20: Nashville SC 3-0 Chicago Fire (L, away)
• 2026-09-13: Chicago Fire 1-2 New England Revolution (L, home)
• 2026-09-10: Chicago Fire 1-1 Inter Miami (D, home)
• 2026-09-06: Toronto FC 4-4 Chicago Fire (D, away)

Chicago Fire’s form reads draw, draw, loss, loss, win, bookended by a 1-2 home defeat to New England Revolution and a 1-0 away win at Charlotte FC.

NYCFC: D L W L D

• 2026-09-27: Atlanta United 2-2 NYCFC (D, away)
• 2026-09-19: NYCFC 0-1 New York Red Bulls (L, home)
• 2026-09-13: Real Salt Lake 0-2 NYCFC (W, away)
• 2026-09-10: NYCFC 1-2 New England Revolution (L, home)
• 2026-09-05: NYCFC 0-0 Nashville SC (D, home)

NYCFC’s form reads draw, loss, win, loss, draw, including a 2-2 draw away at Atlanta United and a 2-0 win at Real Salt Lake.

Chicago Fire vs NYCFC Prediction

Chicago Fire, fifth in the East, should have enough quality in Maren Haile-Selassie and Philip Zinckernagel to see off a NYCFC side stuck in ninth, with Nicolás Mercau’s class good for a goal of his own. Expect goals at both ends before Chicago Fire close it out 2-1.