Pre-match Preview: CITY SC to face Chicago Fire FC for the first time this season

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (Matrix Midwest)—St. Louis CITY SC will travel to the Windy City this weekend to face Chicago Fire FC for the first time in 2025.

St. Louis is coming off an impressive 3-1 home victory over Nashville SC, ending a two-match winless streak.

Defender Jaziel Orozco scored his first career MLS goal in the 23rd minute to give CITY the early advantage. The lead was doubled after St. Louis’s leading scorer, João Klauss, finished a well-placed pass from Eduard Löwen.

Newcomer Sangbin Jeong then sealed the win with his first goal for CITY SC. Nashville scored a penalty towards the end of the match, but it wasn’t enough to alter the results.

St. Louis remains No. 14 in the Western Conference. With nine matches remaining in the 2025 regular season, CITY SC must win at least four to have a chance at securing a playoff spot.

St. Louis and Chicago have met twice before, with each coming out on top once. CITY fell to Chicago during its inaugural season, but bounced back last year with a 3-1 win at home.

Chicago (36 points) is in a fight for the ninth spot in the Eastern Conference, tied with New York Red Bulls. Despite their struggles at home this year, the Fire are on a four-match unbeaten run, which includes two shutouts in their last three matches.

Hugo Cuypers is, without a doubt, the club’s top threat. The 28-year-old Belgian forward is tied for third in MLS scoring with 14 goals. In addition, forward Philip Zinckernagel has amassed 10 goals and leads the club with 12 assists.

Zinckernagel, along with CITY’s Jaziel Orozco, was named to the most recent MLS Team of the Matchday after picking up two assists to help Chicago earn a draw against LAFC.

A win for CITY would keep playoff hopes alive, as well as end a months-long road match drought.

The match kicks off on Saturday, August 16, at 7:30 p.m. at SeatGeek Stadium.

For more on St. Louis CITY SC, click here.

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