Sporting Kansas City will play against Chicago Fire FC at Soldier Field on April 25 as part of the Major League Soccer regular season. The match is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. CT start, with coverage available in both English and Spanish on Apple TV, as well as local radio broadcasts.
The game is significant as it marks the continuation of a long-standing rivalry between Sporting Kansas City and Chicago Fire, who have played each other every season from Chicago’s first year in 1998 through 2024. Last year was the first time they did not meet in a competitive match.
Sporting Kansas City head coach Raphael Wicky returns to Chicago after previously managing the Fire during the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Defender Justin Reynolds will also revisit his former club, having developed in the Fire’s academy before making appearances for their first team between 2023 and 2025.
Kansas City enters Saturday’s match looking to end a five-game losing streak during which they have conceded three or more goals per game. Meanwhile, Chicago remains unbeaten over their last five matches across all competitions. The Fire are led by head coach Gregg Berhalter and feature Designated Player Hugo Cuypers, who leads the team with six goals this season following a strong performance last year with seventeen goals and three assists. Philip Zinckernagel also contributes to their attack after being named an MLS All-Star and Newcomer of the Year finalist last season.
Chicago’s defense includes South African international Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Canadian international Joel Waterman at center back positions, while goalkeeper Chris Brady currently leads all Eastern Conference goalkeepers with four clean sheets this season.
The match will take place at Soldier Field, recognized as both the oldest NFL and MLS stadium with over one hundred years of history. It has hosted major events such as the opening ceremony for the 1994 FIFA World Cup. The game will be officiated by Brandon Stevis.
