After a three-match road trip, Nashville SC are back at Geodis Park this weekend. They're taking on the Chicago Fire, who looked like an Eastern Conference contender early in the season, but have seen their form dip as they drop into fifth place in the East.
The Fire will be looking for a bounce-back win, while Nashville head into the match knowing that a win will officially book their ticket for the playoffs.
We've got you covered with everything you need to know going into the game, starting with the fact that this match kicks off at 8:30 pm, instead of the typical 7:30. Parking options have also changed due to the Tennessee State Fair, so make sure you have a plan before you head to Geodis Park.
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Match info
Teams: Nashville SC vs Chicago Fire
Referees: Lorenzo Hernandez (Ref), Jose Da Silva (AR1), Felisha Mariscal (R2), Calin Radosav (4th), Timothy Ford (VAR), Robert Schaap (AVAR)
Soccer Datavizer odds: NSH (46%, 1.43 xG), Draw (29%), CHI (25%, 0.96 xG)
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026
Time: 8:30 pm CT, Geodis Park, Nashville, TN, United States
TV: Apple TV
Apple TV Commentary: Keith Costigan & Maurice Edu (English), Diego Pessolano & Daniel Chapela (Spanish)
Radio: 99.7 SuperTalk WTN
Radio Commentary: Lucas Panzica
Forecast: 95º/73º. 83º at kickoff. Sunny. 1-5 mph winds. 25% chance of rain. 55% humidity.
Head-to-head
Nashville wins: 6
Nashville goals: 22
Draws: 2
Chicago wins: 2
Chicago goals: 6
Last meeting: CHI 1–0 NSH (April 4, 2026 | MLS)
Availability report
Published on Friday at approximately 4 pm CT
Chicago Fire
The numbers
Goal leaders: Hugo Cuypers (13), Maren Haile-Selassie (8)
Assist leaders: Philip Zinckernagel (10), Maren Haile-Selassie (8)
Last match: CHI 1–2 NE (September 13, 2026 | MLS)
Data Power Rankings: 8th (25.52 score)
Chicago snapshot
It's been a tough several weeks for the Fire, who are winless in their last six. After a 2-1 defeat at home to the New England Revolution last week, the Fire have dropped out of the top four in the Eastern Conference, and badly need a win to right the ship.
"The results have varied, and arguably, the Fire played well enough to take all three points in several of those draws, but that's besides the point," Men In Red 97's Tim Hotze said. "Regardless of results, the pattern has been the same: Creative chance generation has been an issue that's kept the squad from the league's highest echelon, and it's been too easy to catch the Fire in transition moments after losing Mbekezeli Mbokazi and the mobility he brought to the center back position."
SixOneFive Soccer Staff
Mbokazi, a South African World Cup player, went down with an injury in training that was initially expected to keep him out through the end of the year. Recently, he's made progress and will play again this season, but won't be involved on Saturday.
Striker Robert Lewandowski has been electric in front of goal since his blockbuster summer signing, bagging six goals in 10 matches. He's a very different profile of defensive forward than Hugo Cuypers, who still leads the team with 13 goals, despite being sold to CF Monterrey this summer. Nashville head coach BJ Callaghan says Nashville will still have to get creative in how they deal with him.
"It was something that we really had to prepare for, coming into this game, because there are certainly some different elements," he said. "I'll call him a highly intelligent defender. He knows how to force balls into areas that they want the ball to go into, and he's clever with his back pressing. When he's leading the line, they are a good, solid defensive team."
The Fire have scored the fourth-most goals away from home in MLS, averaging 1.92 goals on the road so far this season. Going up against a Nashville backline that has allowed one goal per game at Geodis Park this season, it should be a fascinating tactical matchup.
Predicted XI
Your favorite American soccer podcast hosted by David Gass, Tom Bogert, Jordan Angeli, and Matt Doyle.
Nashville SC
The numbers
Goal leaders: Sam Surridge (15), Hany Mukhtar (10)
Assist leaders: Cristian Espinoza (11), Hany Mukhtar & Andy Nájar (7)
Last match: MIA 2–2 NSH (September 12, 2026 | MLS)
Data Power Rankings: 2nd (37.12 score)
Nashville SC snapshot
Nashville's 2-2 draw against Inter Miami was a huge boost in the Supporters' Shield race, keeping an eight-point lead over Vancouver Whitecaps in the table, and holding Miami nine points away. However, taking just two points from their three-match road trip means that the single-season points record is getting more out of reach.
Nashville would need 21 points from their remaining nine matches (2.33 points per game) to break Inter Miami's 2024 record of 74 points. From that perspective, three points tomorrow are absolutely crucial.
Callaghan should be able to field an essentially first-choice lineup, with Warren Madrigal the lone major injury absence. With several players set to miss next weekend's match due to international duty, this will be Nashville's last look at a full-strength team until mid-October.
Predicted XI
Staff predictions
Ben Wright
Score: NSH 2–0 CHI
Scorers: Sam Surridge, Matt Corcoran
MOTM: Hany Mukhtar
Bold prediction: Hany Mukhtar sets up both goals in a fairly one-sided win.
Harold Espinoza Lopez
Score: NSH 2–1 CHI
Scorers: Sam Surridge (x2)
MOTM: Sam Surridge
Bold prediction: Nashville will score a goal within the first 10 minutes.
Jeff Remlinger
Score: NSH 4–1 CHI
Scorers: Sam Surridge (x2), Hany Mukhtar, Patrick Yazbek
MOTM: Sam Surridge
Bold prediction: Nashville come home and get right. A goal late in the first half changes a tight game into a comfortable NSC win.
Ronan Briscoe
Score: NSH 3–0 CHI
Scorers: Hany Mukhtar, Sam Surridge, Elias Saad
MOTM: Elias Saad
Bold prediction: The boldest possible prediction I can give is that I will miraculously have enough good service to watch some of this match from inside Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi.
Valair Shabilla
Score: NSH 3–1 CHI
Scorers: Sam Surridge (x2), Elias Saad
MOTM: Sam Surridge
Bold prediction: Saad will bag two assists and a goal.
