Chicago Fire vs Charlotte
Lewandowski steers Chicago Fire to narrow win
A brace from Lewandowski secures a 2-1 victory over Charlotte.
Charlotte took an early lead through Pep Biel at 18 minutes, but Robert Lewandowski quickly equalised for Chicago Fire just two minutes later. Lewandowski then struck again after the break to clinch the win for the home side. Fipster's high-confidence prediction for a Chicago victory was on the money, even if the exact scoreline was a bit off.
Analysis
Chicago Fire and Charlotte face off in what promises to be an entertaining MLS regular season encounter. With both sides eager to make their mark, the match is set to deliver goals and tactical intrigue.
This fixture is part of the 18th round of the MLS regular season. Chicago Fire have been strong at home, consistently finding the net, while Charlotte look to exploit their attacking talents on the road. Both teams will be keen to improve their league standing as the season progresses.
Chicago Fire boast a potent attacking trio in Hugo Cuypers, Philip Zinckernagel, and Maren Haile-Selassie, who have combined for multiple goals and assists recently, making them a formidable force at home. Cuypers, the top scorer, has been clinical with his chances, supported by Zinckernagel's creativity and Haile-Selassie's assists. Defensively, Jack Elliott provides stability and leadership, crucial against Charlotte's threats. Charlotte's main creative outlet is Pep Biel, whose set-piece prowess and passing accuracy offer a spark, while Wilfried Zaha's pace and dribbling on the wings pose tactical challenges. However, Chicago's strong home scoring streak and defensive organisation give them the edge in this clash.
Prediction
The prediction leans heavily towards a Chicago Fire home win with a 3-1 final scoreline. The first half is expected to be lively, ending 2-1 in favour of Chicago. The match will likely see four cards, reflecting a competitive and intense battle on the pitch. Confidence in this outcome stands at a solid 75%.
Outcome probability
Match factors
Chicago's attacking trio synergy
Cuypers, Zinckernagel, and Haile-Selassie form a potent attacking combination with recent goals and assists linking well
Pep Biel's creative influence for Charlotte
Biel's 4 assists in last 10 games and high key passes give Charlotte a creative edge despite being underdogs
Chicago's strong home scoring streak
Chicago Fire have scored in last 5 home games, averaging 2 goals per game, supporting predicted 3 goals
Wilfried Zaha's wing threat for Charlotte
Zaha's pace and dribbling create tactical mismatches against Chicago's defense, increasing scoring chances
Jack Elliott's defensive leadership
Elliott's passing and tackling above league average stabilize Chicago's defense against Charlotte's attack
Key Takeaways
In summary, Chicago Fire's attacking synergy and home form should see them through against a spirited Charlotte side. Expect goals, tactical battles, and a few cards as the Fire aim to extend their scoring run and claim all three points.
- Chicago Fire have scored in their last 5 home games, averaging 2 goals per match.
- Hugo Cuypers is Chicago's top scorer with multiple recent goals and high shot volume.
- Philip Zinckernagel has contributed 2 goals and 3 assists in the last 5 home games.
- Charlotte's Pep Biel has 4 assists in his last 10 games, providing creative threat.
- Wilfried Zaha offers pace and dribbling skills that challenge Chicago's defence.
- Jack Elliott leads Chicago's defence with above-average passing and tackling.
- The predicted halftime score is 2-1, consistent with the fulltime 3-1 outcome.
- Four cards are expected, indicating a competitive and physical match.
Player Insights
Standout players Fipster expects to impact the match — curated highlights, not full squad lists
Home — Chicago Fire
Away — Charlotte
Form as the teams went into this match — excludes this result and anything since.
Team Comparison
Season shape — attack, defence, form, clean sheets & win rate
Home vs Away comparison
Goal difference in each of the last few fixtures — above the line is a net win, below is a net loss
Season comparison
Goals scored & conceded, goal difference and clean sheets across the season
Halftime Performance
What each side does once the whistle goes for half time
Streaks
Recent-form runs — each side’s most-recent game meets in the middle
Head to Head
Salétros
Yellow Card
Biel
Assist: Toklomati Giorno
Lewandowski
Assist: Zinckernagel
Waterman
Yellow Card
Lewandowski
Assist: Lod
Toffolo
Bamba
Abada
Toklomati Giorno
de la Torre
D'Avilla
Lod
Lewandowski
Yellow Card
Match Statistics
Chicago Fire
4-4-2Starting XI
- 1C. BradyG
- 2Leonardo BarrosoD
- 3J. ElliottD
- 6A. SalétrosM
- 9R. LewandowskiF
- 11P. ZinckernagelM
- 15A. GutmanD
- 16J. WatermanD
- 17R. LodF
- 19J. BambaM
- 42T. D'AvillaM
Substitutes
- 5S. RogersD
- 7M. Haile-SelassieM
- 12P. DithejaneF
- 14V. RadojevićD
- 20Jason ShokalookF
- 22M. PinedaD
- 24J. DeanD
- 35S. OregelM
- 44J. CohenG
Charlotte
4-3-3Starting XI
- 1K. KahlinaG
- 8A. WestwoodM
- 9I. Toklomati GiornoF
- 11L. AbadaF
- 14N. ByrneD
- 15H. ToffoloD
- 16Pep BielF
- 17L. de la TorreM
- 22H. KesslerD
- 28D. DianiM
- 44M. AgyemangD
Substitutes
- 4A. PrivettD
- 7A. GoodwinF
- 13B. BronicoM
- 20B. CoulibalyM
- 21T. MillerG
- 23D. SchneggD
- 25Tyger SmallsF
- 35Will ClearyD
- 37R. AlokoF
Chicago Fire
| Player | Pos | Min | Rating | G | A | Shots | SoT | Key Passes | Dribbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Lewandowski | F | 92 | 9.7 | 2 | — | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1/1 |
| Philip Zinckernagel | M | 92 | 7.7 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 2/2 |
| Jack Elliott(C) | D | 92 | 7.5 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Robin Lod | F | 88 | 7.2 | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — |
| Joel Waterman | D | 92 | 7.2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Dje Tah D'Avilla | M | 88 | 7.2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Jonathan Bamba | M | 74 | 6.9 | — | — | 1 | — | 3 | 1/1 |
| Leonardo Barroso | D | 92 | 6.9 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Anton Salétros | M | 92 | 6.9 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
| Andrew Gutman | D | 92 | 6.6 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — |
| Chris Brady | G | 92 | 6.2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Substitutes | |||||||||
| Sergio Oregel | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Maren Haile-Selassie | M | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Josh Cohen | G | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Samuel Rogers | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Mauricio Pineda | D | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Jonathan Dean | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Jason Shokalook | F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Viktor Radojević | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Puso Dithejane | F | 18 | 6.3 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 2/3 |
Charlotte
| Player | Pos | Min | Rating | G | A | Shots | SoT | Key Passes | Dribbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pep Biel | F | 92 | 7.5 | 1 | — | 4 | 1 | — | 1/2 |
| Ashley Westwood(C) | M | 92 | 7.2 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1/1 |
| Luca De La Torre | M | 86 | 6.9 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3/3 |
| Nathan Byrne | D | 92 | 6.9 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1/2 |
| Idan Toklomati | F | 86 | 6.9 | — | 1 | — | — | 2 | 1/1 |
| Morrison Agyemang | D | 92 | 6.6 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
| Harry Toffolo | D | 69 | 6.5 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| Henry Kessler | D | 92 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Djibril Diani | M | 92 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
| Kristijan Kahlina | G | 92 | 6.2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Liel Abada | F | 77 | 6.2 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0/2 |
| Substitutes | |||||||||
| Will Cleary | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Baye Coulibaly | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Andrew Privett | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Archie Goodwin | F | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Tyger Smalls | F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Tyler Miller | G | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Brandt Bronico | M | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| David Schnegg | D | 23 | 6.5 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Rodolfo Aloko | F | 15 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |