Charlotte FC host Chicago Fire at Bank of America Stadium on Saturday, September 26 (7:30 PM ET / 6:30 PM CT / 4:30 PM PT).
Charlotte FC will lean heavily on Pep Biel Mas Jaume, the attacking midfielder who leads the squad with 12 goals from 56 shots this season, alongside Liel Abada, who has found the net 5 times in 1,077 minutes. Chicago Fire counter with Robert Lewandowski, who has scored 6 goals in just 815 minutes, and Philip Zinckernagel, whose 52 chances created make him the Fire’s main source of service.
Charlotte FC sit fourth in the East and go into this one in decent form, shown by a W D W D W sequence in their last five matches, while Chicago Fire arrive fifth and are without a win in five games, reflected in a D D D L L run that includes back-to-back losses. Expect a tight, low-event contest in which Charlotte’s superior +10 goal difference against Chicago’s +7 proves decisive, without either side turning it into an avalanche of chances.
US viewers can watch Charlotte FC vs Chicago Fire on Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass.
Charlotte FC vs Chicago Fire: Best Bets & Predictions
The market prices Charlotte FC at 42%. Signal says 49%.
+7points of value · the resultNew to Kalshi? Trade $25, get $25 · 18+ · use code SQUAWKA
Compare all markets ›bet365 review ›
Available to US traders in all 50 states · 18+Odds from bet365 · 18+ · begambleaware.org
Season Form & Standings
Charlotte FC sit fourth in the East, firmly in the playoff picture. Chicago Fire are fifth, also well positioned for a postseason spot. Charlotte have racked up 43 points from 26 games this season, while the Fire have banked 39 from 25.
| Team | Pos | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte FC | 4 | 26 | 12 | 7 | 7 | 47 | 37 | +10 | 43 |
| Chicago Fire | 5 | 25 | 11 | 6 | 8 | 45 | 38 | +7 | 39 |
Charlotte FC vs Chicago Fire Predicted Lineups
Predicted XI — updated for the latest team news.
Charlotte FC
4-2-3-1Chicago Fire
4-2-3-1Potential Match-Winners
- Pep Biel Mas Jaume (Charlotte FC): Leads Charlotte FC with 12 goals and has created 46 chances this season, needing just 22 shots on target from 56 attempts to remain the team’s most dangerous outlet.
- Liel Abada (Charlotte FC): Has scored 5 times in 1,077 minutes, with 21 of his 33 shots on target.
- Robert Lewandowski (Chicago Fire): Has 6 goals in just 815 minutes, giving Chicago Fire a reliable focal point up front.
Recent Form
Charlotte FC: W D W D W
- 2026-09-20: DC United 1-2 Charlotte FC (W, away)
- 2026-09-13: FC Cincinnati 3-3 Charlotte FC (D, away)
- 2026-09-10: CF Montreal 1-2 Charlotte FC (W, away)
- 2026-09-06: Charlotte FC 0-0 Houston Dynamo (D, home)
- 2026-08-30: Atlanta United 0-2 Charlotte FC (W, away)
Charlotte FC’s form reads W D W D W across their last five matches.
Chicago Fire: D D D L L
- 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)
- 2026-08-29: Seattle Sounders 2-2 Chicago Fire (D, away)
Chicago Fire’s form reads D D D L L, three draws followed by back-to-back losses.
Charlotte FC vs Chicago Fire Prediction
Signal’s model backs Charlotte FC to win 2-1. That result would strengthen their hold on fourth in the East, while Chicago Fire slip further off the pace in fifth and remain in search of the response their playoff push needs.
Our model rates every MLS fixture — see the numbers behind Charlotte FC v Chicago Fire.
MLS AI PredictorEvery match this week rated by our modelBoth Teams to Score predictionsThis week’s picks across the league