Chicago Team News Page 4 - Soccer

Robert Lewandowski - Returns to Chicago training Lewandowski returned to training with Chicago on Monday ahead of Tuesday's clash against Vancouver after leaving international duty early due to suspension, according to Alex Calab...

Impact Lewandowski's return to training confirms he is back with Chicago in time to be available against Vancouver. The forward has been an undisputed starter at number nine since joining the club, recording six goals and two assists across 11 MLS appearances. He should be in contention to return to the starting XI after Johan Gomez filled in up front during his international absence.

OCTOBER 5 • ROTOWIRE

Vancouver Whitecaps bring road win streak into game with the Chicago Fire

The Vancouver Whitecaps visit the Chicago Fire aiming to extend a three-game road winning streak

OCTOBER 5 • Associated Press

Puso Dithejane - Scores in senior international debut Dithejane scored a goal on his debut for South Africa's senior national team Sunday against Egypt.

Impact Dithejane made a big offensive impact that led to the decisive goal for his country during a 77-minute performance. The young forward has been involved in a rotation at the club level lately, taking advantage of his opportunities to produce two goals and one assist in MLS play, in addition to a pair of goals in the Leagues Cup earlier this season. His national-team breakthrough could boost his profile, though it doesn't guarantee him increased playing time as he contends with more established options such as Robert Lewandowski and Maren Haile-Selassie.

OCTOBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

Robert Lewandowski - Scores hat trick with Poland Lewandowski scored a hat trick in Friday's 6-0 win over Romania but also picked up a yellow card for the second straight game, resulting in a suspension for the match against Bosni...

Impact Lewandowski has been an undisputed starter at number nine since arriving at Chicago, scoring six goals and assisting twice in 11 appearances, and this earlier than expected return means he will be available against Vancouver rather than missing the full international window as initially expected, with Johan Gomez having filled in up front in his absence.

OCTOBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

Anton Saletros - Continues with group Saletros (lower body) was involved with group training Friday, according to Joe Chatz of On Tap Sports.

Impact Saletros was back in group training a few weeks ago and has made his return again, appearing to be close to a return. He has not played in the clubs' past three games due to his injury, but remains a regular option when he is fit. There is now a chance he could return in the next few games, where he would be likely to earn a starting role, notching 20 starts in 21 appearances this campaign.

OCTOBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

What We Learned: Mbekezeli Mbokazi gives Chicago Fire huge boost | MLSSoccer.com Matchday 28 is in the books.

SEPTEMBER 28 • MLSSOCCER.COM

Josh Cohen - Two saves in win Cohen made two saves and allowed zero goals in Saturday's 1-0 victory versus Charlotte FC.

Impact Cohen stopped both of the shots he faced to earn the win and clean sheet. Charlotte had someone sent off, so that gave Cohen an edge, but he performed will in the shots he faced either way. Cohen has a long rest before taking on Vancouver in league action.

SEPTEMBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Jonathan Bamba - Seven shots in win Bamba had seven shots (two on goal) in Saturday's 1-0 win versus Charlotte FC.

Impact Bamba took a ridiculous seven shots, but put only two of them on goal during Saturday's win. Charlotte had someone sent off, which gave Bamba numerous chances on the ball, though he was largely wasteful with them. His willingness to shoot is certainly worth something, but he needs to be more accurate to have more upside.

SEPTEMBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Jack Elliott - Assists in win Elliott assisted once to go with one shot (zero on goal) and one chance created in Saturday's 1-0 victory versus Charlotte FC.

Impact Elliott created a single chance during Saturday's win, but that was all that it took. The defender came away with the assist and a huge contribution for all three points. Elliott will likely have some tougher matches in the coming weeks, but this was an excellent performance against a decent opponent.

SEPTEMBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Mbekezeli Mbokazi - Starts against Charlotte Mbokazi (thigh) is in the starting lineup in Saturday's trip to Charlotte.

Impact Mbokazi could give Chicago an immediate defensive boost following his return to group training earlier this week. The center-back has not played since the World Cup, and it's still unclear if he's ready for a full-match performance. He should be reliable as a source of accurate passes, clearances and tackles while he shares defensive responsibilities with Jack Elliott.

SEPTEMBER 26 • ROTOWIRE

Charlotte FC plays the Chicago Fire in conference matchup

Charlotte FC hosts the Chicago Fire in a conference matchup

SEPTEMBER 25 • Associated Press

Allan Saint-Maximin & Charlotte FC face Chicago Fire challenge | MLSSoccer.com Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs implications are at stake when Charlotte FC host Chicago Fire FC for Matchday 28's Walmart Saturday Showdown.

SEPTEMBER 24 • MLSSOCCER.COM

Philip Zinckernagel - Kept off scoresheet by Nashville Zinckernagel took two shots (one on target), sent in six crosses (three accurate), took two corners, and created one chance in Saturday's 3-0 loss to Nashville SC.

Impact Zinckernagel and the Chicago Fire were kept in check by a hard-nosed Nashville SC defense. He has now gone 11 games without scoring a goal, and with Robert Lewandowski away on international duty, he will shoulder even more of the attacking load at Charlotte on Saturday.

SEPTEMBER 23 • ROTOWIRE

Anton Saletros - Back training with group Saletros (lower body) trained with the group, Joe Chatz reports.

Impact Saletros missed the last two matches with a lower body injury, and his return to the group puts him in contention for Saturday's game against Charlotte. Prior to the injury, the midfielder started nine of the last 10 MLS games and recorded 12 shots and six chances created without a goal or assist.

SEPTEMBER 22 • ROTOWIRE

Mbekezeli Mbokazi - Trains with group Tuesday Mbokazi (thigh) was with the group at Tuesday's training session, Joe Chatz reports.

Impact Mbokazi was initially ruled out for the remainder of the season by coach Gregg Berhalter after tearing his thigh in training in late July and undergoing surgery. His return to partial training on Sept. 4 was followed by group work Tuesday, putting him ahead of the recovery schedule outlined in August. The South Africa international remains without a competitive appearance since the World Cup, so his reintegration could be gradual, though a return before the end of the campaign now appears realistic.

SEPTEMBER 22 • ROTOWIRE

Noah Allen - Will represent Greece U21 Allen will represent Greece U21 during the upcoming international break between September and October.

Impact Allen spent the first half of the 2026 MLS season with Inter Miami before joining Chicago on loan, but he's been a regular starter for both clubs -- he's tallied 23 appearances (15 starts) overall. Ergo, his absence will be felt defensively in Saturday's game against Charlotte, and he's also expected to miss the Oct. 6 match against the Whitecaps. Allen should be back in the mix against NYCFC on Oct. 10.

SEPTEMBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Robin Lod - Linking up with Finnish NT Lod has been called up by Finland for the upcoming international window between September and October.

Impact Lod is enjoying a solid season in Chicago, with four goals and two assists in 24 appearances (17 starts), but his numbers are down from the previous two campaigns. Lod should see steady playing time for Finland during the break, with the Suomi squad playing four matches -- they'll face San Marino, Albania and Belarus twice. As a result of the call-up, Lod will miss Saturday's game at Charlotte, and he's also expected to miss the Oct. 6 game against the Whitecaps. He should be available for the Oct. 10 game against New York City FC, though.

SEPTEMBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Robert Lewandowski - Heading out with NT Lewandowski has been called up by the Polish National Team for the four matches during the September-October international break and will therefore miss Saturday's clash against Ch...

Impact Lewandowski has been an undisputed starter as the number nine since his arrival at Chicago, scoring six goals and assisting twice in 11 appearances. The Poland captain will however miss the next two MLS games against Charlotte and Vancouver due to the call up and will likely be replaced in attack by Robin Lod during his absence.

SEPTEMBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Anzor Mekvabishvili - Called up with Georgia Mekvabishvili has been called up by Georgia for the four matches during the September-October international break and will therefore miss Saturday's clash against Charlotte and the...

Impact Mekvabishvili has featured only 15 minutes off bench in his first Fire appearances in Sunday's 3-0 defeat against Nashville and will have to wait some more time before logging in more minutes for his new club due to the call up. The midfielder will Saturday's clash against Charlotte and the Vancouver clash on Oct. 6 but should return in time to face New York City on October 10.

SEPTEMBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Puso Dithejane - Called up with South Africa Dithejane has been called up by South Africa for the two matches during the September-October international break against Guinea and Erythrea and will therefore miss Saturday's cla...

Impact Dithejane has been a bench option mainly this season in Chicago's attack but will miss Saturday's match against Charlotte. He should return in time to face Vancouver on October 6. His absence will not force a change in the starting XI.

SEPTEMBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Chris Brady - Heading out with NT Brady has been called up by the USMNT for the four matches during the September-October international break and will therefore miss Saturday's clash against Charlotte and the Vanco...

Impact Brady has been the undisputed starter in goal for Chicago this season, making 25 starts and contributing 69 saves and six clean sheet. The American will however miss Saturday's clash against Charlotte due to the call up and will likely be replaced in goal by Jeff Gal during his absence.

SEPTEMBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Nashville first team to clinch postseason spot after beating Fire 3-0 behind Brian Schwake

Sam Surridge scored in the first half and Brian Schwake finished off his league-leading 12th clean sheet of the season as Nashville SC clinched a playoff spot and remained unbeaten...

SEPTEMBER 20 • Associated Press

Nashville SC clinch Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs spot | MLSSoccer.com Nashville SC are in the Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs, having clinched their spot with a 3-0 home win over Chicago Fire FC on Saturday night. W...

SEPTEMBER 20 • MLSSOCCER.COM

Chicago Fire try to end road draw streak against Nashville

The Chicago Fire play Nashville after playing to a draw in three straight road games

SEPTEMBER 18 • Associated Press

Matchday 27: How Nashville SC can clinch playoffs | MLSSoccer.com Nashville SC can clinch an Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs spot when they host Chicago Fire FC on Saturday night during Matchday 27 (9:30 pm ET |...

SEPTEMBER 17 • MLSSOCCER.COM

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Vancouver Whitecaps bring road win streak into game with the Chicago Fire

Charlotte FC plays the Chicago Fire in conference matchup

Nashville first team to clinch postseason spot after beating Fire 3-0 behind Brian Schwake

Chicago Fire try to end road draw streak against Nashville