Toronto FC (3W-5L-5T, 14 points) head to the Windy City to face Chicago Fire (7W-4L-2T, 23 points) at Soldier Field on Saturday evening. The Matchday 15 encounter in Chicago, Illinois kicks off at 8:30 p.m. ET and will be available globally in English and Spanish on Apple TV and on TSN4 in Canada.
The Reds enter Matchday 15 looking to head into the FIFA World Cup 26™ break on a winning note following defeats to Inter Miami CF and Charlotte FC. Historically, TFC holds a 14W-13L-14T record across their previous 41 regular season meetings with Chicago and will look to secure their first road win over the Fire since July 2021.
BEHIND ENEMY LINES
Toronto FC head to the Windy City to take on Chicago Fire in their final match before the FIFA World Cup 26™ break on Saturday evening. Following a road loss against Charlotte FC last weekend, the Reds hold a 58W-175L-79T all-time record (253 points) in MLS regular season road matches to date.
THROUGH THE YEARS
TFC face 1998 MLS expansion club Chicago Fire in the 42nd regular season meeting between the two Eastern Conference clubs. Historically, Toronto FC hold a 14W-13L-14T record through their previous 41 encounters with the Fire. Toronto have also enjoyed relative success on the road in Chicago in recent years, posting a 4W-2L-3T record since 2016. The Reds will now look to secure their first away victory over the Fire since July 24, 2021, when goals from Yeferson Soteldo and Nick DeLeon sealed a 2-1 win at Soldier Field.
STEP BY STEP
The Reds enter Matchday 15 looking to head into the FIFA World Cup 26™ break on a winning note following recent league defeats to Inter Miami CF and Charlotte FC.
On May 9, TFC lost 4-2 to Inter Miami CF in the club’s final home match at BMO Field before the FIFA World Cup 2026™ break. The reigning MLS Cup champions took the lead through a thunderous Rodrigo De Paul volley on the cusp of half-time before second-half goals from Luis Suárez, Sergio Reguilón and Lionel Messi inside a 19-minute stretch gave the visitors a four-goal lead. The Reds mounted a late response through a brace from substitute Emilio Aristizábal, including a stoppage-time header created by Kobe Franklin and Walker Zimmerman, who registered his first assist for the club on the play. Toronto continued to press for another breakthrough, but the reigning MLS Cup champions ultimately held on for the 4-2 result at BMO Field.
A week later, TFC fell 3-1 to Charlotte FC at Bank of America Stadium. Charlotte opened the scoring in the 19th minute through Wilfried Zaha before Toronto responded almost immediately when Derrick Etienne Jr. cut inside from the left and rifled a long-range effort in off the crossbar after being picked out by Jonathan Osorio. Toronto found the net again shortly after when MLS debutant Jackson Gilman headed home Alonso Coello’s free-kick, but the goal was overturned following an on-field VAR review for a perceived foul by Osorio in the build-up. Charlotte restored their advantage through David Schnegg’s strike from distance in the 35th minute. In the second half, French defender Nicksoen Gomis made his return from an Achilles injury in the 58th minute for his first appearance since May 3, 2025, while TFC II winger Fletcher Bank made his Toronto FC debut off the bench in the 78th minute. Charlotte’s Pep Biel then converted from the penalty spot in the 84th minute to seal all three points in the Matchday 14 clash.
FOR CLUB AND COUNTRY
On Friday, May 15, Toronto FC winger Derrick Etienne Jr. was named to the Haiti Men’s National Team roster for FIFA World Cup 26™. Led by Head Coach Sébastien Migné, Haiti is set to compete in the FIFA World Cup™ for the second time in the nation’s history and for the first time in 52 years since their debut appearance at the 1974 tournament in West Germany. Les Grenadiers were drawn into Group C during the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Final Draw on December 5, 2025, and will face nine-time World Cup participants Scotland on June 13, five-time World Cup winners Brazil on June 19 and two-time Africa Cup of Nations champions Morocco on June 24. Etienne Jr., 29, has earned 46 caps with the Haiti Men’s National Team, recording eight goals and seven assists since making his senior debut against French Guiana on November 10, 2016. The Richmond, Virginia-born attacker was part of the squad that secured Hati’s place at FIFA World Cup 26™ for the first time since 1974 following a 2-0 win over Nicaragua on November 19 during Concacaf qualifiers.
MILESTONE WATCH
Toronto FC’s Alonso Coello has currently made 99 appearances for Toronto FC across all competitions (Major League Soccer, Canadian Championship and Leagues Cup) and his next outing will mark the 100th for the Reds. The Spanish midfielder made his club debut against the San Jose Earthquakes on March 24, 2023, and has recorded 939 minutes across 13 appearances (11 starts) during the 2026 MLS regular season.
FAMILIAR FOES
A trio of active Toronto FC players have former ties to Saturday’s opponents, Chicago Fire.
Raheem Edwards joined Chicago via trade from the Montreal Impact in July 2018 and spent two seasons (2018, 2019) with the Fire. The defender made 19 combined appearances including his club debut against hometown side Toronto FC on July 21, 2018, before being traded to Minnesota United in February 2020.
Djordje Mihailovic, who joined the Reds as a Designated Player in August 2025, came through the Chicago Fire Academy after joining at age 15. Following standout spells at the U-16 and U-18 levels, Mihailovic signed a Homegrown contract with the Fire in January 2017. The attacking midfielder made his First Team debut against Real Salt Lake on March 11, 2017, and scored his first professional goal against the San Jose Earthquakes later that September. Through four seasons with Chicago (2017-2020), Mihailovic registered seven goals and 15 assists in 76 appearances across all competitions.
Defender Kobe Franklin also spent four years in the Chicago Fire Academy (2012-2016) before joining the TFC Academy in 2017.
