Chicago Fire — New England Revolution : Match Preview and Prediction for September 07,2025

Chicago Fire’s Resurgent Preparation

Let’s get straight to the facts. Chicago approaches this match following a two-week break. Their last game was on August 24th, and this wasn’t just rest; it was a period of focused work. Coach Gregg Berhalter confirmed that the team spent two intensive weeks refining all mechanisms after their defeat against Philadelphia. This isn’t the same team we saw visiting Union; this is a recharged squad, ready for battle.

Potent Attacking Prowess

Chicago’s attack is their primary strength. The team has netted 50 goals this season, placing them third in the Eastern Conference for scoring. Hugo Cuypers is on fire, with 15 goals to his name. Alongside him, Philip Zinckernagel is tearing up the league – boasting 11 goals and 13 assists. This formidable duo consistently creates problems for any defense, and there’s no reason to expect an exception today.

Defensive Adjustments and Playoff Ambitions

Yes, their defense raises questions, having conceded 48 goals. However, this is characteristic of Berhalter’s style: aggressive, attacking football. The team is restructuring, seeking its new identity, and that naturally takes time. Crucially, the offensive power allows them to compensate for defensive lapses, a fact reflected in the league table where the Fire are just one point away from a playoff spot, with two games in hand.

Minimal Squad Concerns for Chicago

Chicago’s personnel losses are not critical. The absence of defender Leonardo Barroso due to his call-up to the Portugal U21 national team will be adequately compensated. Jonathan Dean, as Berhalter himself noted, is a fighter the team can rely on, and the coach has complete confidence in him. Other long-term absentees, like Rominih Kume, have been injured for a while, and the team is already accustomed to playing without them.

Revolution’s Significant Absences

New England arrives in Chicago in a severely weakened state. This is a crucial factor. Due to international call-ups, the team has lost two key starting players. Their second top scorer, Leonardo Campana, will be absent, as will central defender Mamadou Fofana, who has played over 2200 minutes this season. These are massive holes in both attack and defense.

Concerning Current Form

The Revolution’s current form is a serious cause for concern. They lost their last match to Charlotte with a score of 1:2. Looking at the longer term, the picture is even grimmer: the team has lost 9 of their last 13 encounters. This isn’t a fluke but a clear trend. Attempts to stabilize their play lead to localized successes, as seen in August, but the overall situation appears dire.

Struggling Offensive Output

In attack, all hope rests on Carles Gil. Undeniably, he is a quality player and a leader with 9 goals. However, he has only scored once since July 9th, indicating a significant drop in his effectiveness. In the absence of Campana and another newcomer, Dor Turgeman, the entire offensive burden will fall on Thomas Chancalay, who only recently returned to the starting lineup after a severe ACL injury. This is not the kind of firepower that can genuinely trouble opponents.