Chicago Fire FC at Atlanta United FC | Saturday, October 24, 2026 | 6:30 PM CT / 7:30 PM ET | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta | Apple TV
I picked New England to win last Saturday, 2-1. They won 1-0, so I had the winner and was a goal off on the score. The more important news is that the Fire clinched a playoff berth anyway, because Orlando City beat D.C. United 4-1 and that result sealed it. It is the second straight postseason under Gregg Berhalter.
So the pressure that was on this team a week ago is gone. What’s left is seeding, momentum and a chance to stop a two-game losing streak against an Atlanta team that’s having a rough year.
Match Info: Fire at Atlanta United
- Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026
- Kickoff: 6:30 PM CT / 7:30 PM ET
- Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
- Broadcast: Apple TV (MLS Season Pass), per Atlanta’s schedule
- Standings: Fire 14W-6D-10L, 48 points, in the East’s top four. Atlanta was 14th in the East as of Sept. 20 (7W-5D-14L), and I couldn’t find a more recent table
- Odds: One listing had Chicago at about -196 and Atlanta at +162, with a total of three goals. That page’s other numbers didn’t add up, so treat the line as a rough guide
What Happened in Foxborough
Matt Polster scored in the 26th minute after being left alone in the penalty area, and the Fire never scored. Matt Turner made six saves for the Revs, and Chris Brady made three for Chicago. The Fire also appealed for a handball that referee Nabil Bensalah didn’t send to VAR.
Berhalter said “the performance was outstanding tonight” but admitted there was a defensive lapse against the low block. Captain Anton Salétros said the team dominated play but failed to score. The streak is now two losses in a row, after a three-match winning streak: the 3-1 loss to Philadelphia, then this one.
Who’s Available for Chicago
- Jack Elliott is serving a two-game suspension after the red card against Philadelphia (the second game of the ban is this one), per a preview from Field Level Media. That means the captain is out again.
- Dje D’Avilla is back from his suspension, as far as I can tell.
- Out: Robin Lod and Sam Rogers were listed as injured in earlier reports. Andre Franco (knee) has been nearing a return and Anzor Mekvabishvili returned to training.
I couldn’t confirm the final injury report, so check the team news before kickoff.
Atlanta United: Tata Martino and a Lost Season
Atlanta has been struggling for most of the year. The club hired Gerardo “Tata” Martino in November 2025 after Ronny Deila was fired. As of September 20, Atlanta had 30 goals scored and 43 against. Breel Embolo joined in August for a reported $18 million, and Aleksei Miranchuk led the team with seven goals across competitions.
Last Saturday, Atlanta lost 3-1 to Inter Miami. I couldn’t find the details of that game.
Earlier this year, Chicago beat Atlanta 1-0 at Soldier Field on April 11 on an early Maren Haile-Selassie goal, and Atlanta’s road trouble was part of that story. Tonight the situation is reversed.
The Matchups I’m Watching
Lewandowski and Haile-Selassie against Atlanta’s back line. Haile-Selassie has 11 goals in 29 matches and scored in three straight games before the Revs game. The Fire only had one goal in the last two matches, and this is the matchup that should fix that.
The back four without Elliott. Chicago allowed three goals to Philadelphia and one in New England on what Berhalter called a lapse against the low block. Atlanta has Embolo and Miranchuk, who can punish a mistake.
Zinckernagel’s service. Philip Zinckernagel had 60 chances created earlier this month by one count, and he’s the player I want on the ball when the Fire have possession.
Set pieces and discipline. Chicago has played a half a man down in two home matches in October. A red card in Atlanta would give a struggling team a way back in.
Playoff seeding. The top four earn a home playoff game, so every point still matters even after the clinch.
What Actually Decides It
Chicago dominated play in Foxborough, according to its captain, and created several second-half chances. The finishing hasn’t followed. Against an Atlanta team that was 14th in the East last time I could check a table, the Fire should have chances.
The risk is the back four. Atlanta has dangerous attacking players, and a patched-together defense can give up a goal on the break. I’ll go with the Fire to bounce back and score at least twice.
Final Score Prediction: Chicago Fire 2, Atlanta United 1
Let´s go Fire!!!
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