Chicago Fire FC Weekly Update
MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire FC Weekly Update

Published on April 6, 2026 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


CHICAGO FIRE FC FACES ATLANTA UNITED FC IN SECOND STRAIGHT EASTERN CONFERENCE CLASH AT SOLDIER FIELD

Chicago Fire FC will remain on the lakefront for an Eastern Conference matchup against Atlanta United FC on Saturday, April 11.

The Men in Red enter Saturday in strong form, earning their second win in a row against an Eastern Conference rival with a 1-0 victory over Nashville SC on April 4. Winger Philip Zinckernagel opened his 2026 account with the fastest goal in Club history, a 17th-second strike that was also the 10th fastest goal in league history. The opening salvo was the difference in the match as Chris Brady recorded four saves in his third clean sheet of the season, enough to hand Nashville their first loss in MLS play this year.

The Five Stripes return to the road after a four-game homestand capped off by a loss to Columbus Crew on Saturday. The visitors took a 2-0 lead thanks to a Wessam Abou Ali brace before midfielder Alexey Miranchuk tallied his club-leading fourth goal of 2026 for Atlanta. But the Crew put the game away for good in the 61st minute courtesy of Max Arfsten, dealing Atlanta their second loss of the season at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Kickoff at Soldier Field is set for 7:30 p.m. CT. The match will be broadcast globally on Apple TV and transmitted locally on wlsam.com (English) and TUDN Radio Chicago 106.7 HD2 (Spanish).

Game Information

Chicago Fire FC (3-2-1, 10 points) vs. Atlanta United FC (1-4-1, 4 points)

Saturday, April 11, 2026

Soldier Field - Chicago

All-Time MLS Regular Season Record vs. ATL: (5-8-4)

Last Match vs. ATL: May 10, 2025 (2-1 W) - Soldier Field - Chicago (Match Recap)

Last Match at ATL: April 26, 2025 (2-2 D) - Mercedes-Benz Stadium - Atlanta (Match Recap)

MAtch Notes

Chicago is second in the Eastern Conference with five goals allowed, two more than first-place Nashville. The strong defensive start to 2026 is tied for the fourth-best through the opening six games in Club history; the Fire has allowed five goals or fewer in the opening six matches just five times since 1998.

Besides scoring the fastest goal in Club history, Philip Zinckernagel also became the first Fire player to have more than one goal against Nashville. Last year's team MVP will look to continue his surging form against Atlanta, against whom he scored and assisted in their last matchup on July 16, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

After recording his 20th career regular season clean sheet in the win against Nashville, goalkeeper Chris Brady will look for his first victory against Atlanta United, against whom he has recorded one shutout in five matches. His next appearance will be the 99th of the regular season for Chicago, one away from joining 22 players who have reached the century mark in Fire history.

Forward Hugo Cuypers has opened the 2026 regular season with four goals in four matches and is now chasing a tie for the longest scoring streak in Fire history. Forwards David Accam and Robert Berić are tied with five consecutive games with a goal; Cuypers can join them if he tallies on Saturday. The Belgian striker has scored once in four matches against Atlanta.

No current Atlanta United player has scored more than one goal against the Fire. Midfielders Sergio Santos, Alexey Miranchuk and William Reilly have all scored once against Chicago, while Miguel Almiron has assisted three times in series history.

Check out the Chicago Fire FC Statistics

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Major League Soccer Stories from April 6, 2026


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