Match Events
| Min | Team | Card | Event | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7' | FC Cincinnati | Samuel Gidi | 0-0 | |
| 11' | FC Cincinnati | Tom Barlow | 0-0 | |
| 26' | Chicago Fire | Goal — H. Cuypers | 0-1 | |
| 42' | FC Cincinnati | Goal — T. Barlow | 1-1 | |
| 45' | Chicago Fire | Goal — P. Zinckernagel | 1-2 | |
| 46' | FC Cincinnati | Substitution — G. Flores on, T. Hadebe off | 1-2 | |
| 48' | Chicago Fire | Goal — H. Cuypers | 1-3 | |
| 64' | FC Cincinnati | Substitution — M. Robinson on, A. Powell off | 1-3 | |
| 70' | FC Cincinnati | Substitution — T. Barlow on, A. Jabbari off | 1-3 | |
| 70' | FC Cincinnati | Substitution — E. Echenique on, G. Valenzuela off | 1-3 | |
| 73' | Chicago Fire | Substitution — P. Zinckernagel on, J. Waterman off | 1-3 | |
| 79' | FC Cincinnati | Goal — Evander | 2-3 | |
| 83' | Chicago Fire | Substitution — J. Dean on, D. Borso off | 2-3 | |
| 83' | Chicago Fire | Substitution — R. Lod on, P. Dithejane off | 2-3 | |
| 85' | FC Cincinnati | Substitution — K. Mboma on, K. Smith off | 2-3 | |
| 86' | FC Cincinnati | Goal — D. D'Avilla | 3-3 | |
| 90' | FC Cincinnati | Pavel Bucha | 3-3 | |
| 90' | FC Cincinnati | Bryan Ramirez | 3-3 | |
| 90+9' | Chicago Fire | Mbekezeli Mbokazi | 3-3 | |
| 90+9' | Chicago Fire | Jack Elliott | 3-3 | |
| 90' | Chicago Fire | Dylan Borso | 3-3 | |
| 90+4' | Chicago Fire | Substitution — M. Haile-Selassie on, V. Radojevic off | 3-3 |
Cincinnati came from behind in a pulsating encounter at TQL Stadium, fighting back from 2-1 down at the break to salvage a 3-3 draw with Chicago. The hosts dominated possession and had plenty of chances, testing Fire keeper Chris Brady repeatedly throughout the second half. Brady was outstanding between the sticks, earning the official Man of the Match award with a 9.2 rating as Chicago's rearguard held firm under sustained pressure. Still, Cincinnati's inability to close out the game will frustrate the home crowd. They carved out nine corners and peppered the Fire goal with 23 shots, yet couldn't find the breakthrough when it mattered. A draw feels like two points dropped on a night when the numbers suggested a win was there for the taking, though Chicago will certainly take a point after being picked apart for large spells.
The Matchup
It finished 3-3 between FC Cincinnati and Chicago Fire at TQL Stadium, a scoreline that summed up a game short on clear separation between the two sides. Neither team could really take control of the ball for long, with FC Cincinnati holding 55% possession, close enough to an even split to explain why the game never settled into one side's favour. There were spells of pressure from both teams, but not enough to turn a share of the points into all three. Days like this are part of a long season, and how each side responds in their next fixture will say plenty about their form heading forward. Here is a closer look at how the two teams compared statistically.
Man of the Match
Match Statistics
FC Cincinnati vs Chicago Fire Lineups
Looking Ahead
FC Cincinnati does not have long to wait before getting back out onto the pitch. Their next test comes away at CF Montréal, and how they respond after this result will be worth watching. You can follow the build-up and everything you need to know when CF Montréal vs FC Cincinnati going to play at 26 September 2026 in Major League Soccer 2026.
Chicago Fire, meanwhile, will already be turning their attention to what comes next. They are next in action away at Charlotte FC, a game that will give an early sense of how they carry this result forward. Full details are here: Charlotte FC vs Chicago Fire going to play at 26 September 2026 in Major League Soccer 2026.