Previewing Houston Dynamo vs Chicago Fire FC with Joe Chatz
(image via Chicago Fire FC)
The Houston Dynamo begin the 2026 season Saturday night. We talked to Chicago Fire radio analyst and On Tap Sports Net writer Joe Chatz to get some insight on the Fire ahead of the match.
Bayou City Soccer (BCS): The Chicago Fire had a bounce back year in 2025 under Gregg Berhalter. What are the feelings like around this team after preseason? Are they ready to take another step?
Joe Chatz (JC): Yes and the expectation is that the club needs to take another step forward in 2026, which they made clear by adding serious MLS quality into their roster ahead of the season. There is optimism throughout and as long as the team is healthy, they should contend for a home playoff game in the Eastern Conference and make a run in the Open Cup or Leagues Cup.
BCS: Up and coming Homegrown player Brian Gutiérrez was sold to Chivas last month. How big is that move for the club and who steps into Gutiérrez’s role this season?
JC: It's a bigger move for the club off the field than it is on the field at this point. Gutiérrez was great on the pitch but he was ready to move on to a new club and the Fire brought in more experience in the midfield to compensate for the Homegrown's departure. Anton Salétros is the first option to fill in alongside Robin Lod and, when he returns from injury, André Franco.
BCS: How big is the addition of Robin Lod to this Chicago attack that already sports the likes of Hugo Cuypers, Jonathan Bamba, and Philip Zinkernagel?
JC: Robin Lod would've been a great addition for any MLS club that acquired him, he's that type of floor-raiser who has shown the ability to consistently contribute to good teams in the league. He will help take the heavy scoring burden off the front three of Cuypers, Bamba and Zinckernagel and will create easy chances for teammates to attack throughout the campaign, which is something the Fire really needed in the offseason.
BCS: If you had to pinpoint one weakness about this Chicago team, what would it be?
JC: They have to prove that they can keep teams off the scoresheet after struggling to do so last season. Chicago's backline is stronger, particularly after the addition of Mbekezeli Mbokazi, and they have shown the ability to score alongside any team in MLS but need to show that they can keep teams off the scoresheet enough to consistently win.
BCS: With the Fire in the Eastern Conference, they don't play the Dynamo as much. Who are some players Houston fans may not be familiar with that they should keep an eye on?
JC: Dje D'Avilla has become a major talent in less than a season with the Fire as a midfielder who can play all over the pitch with a level of calm that isn't expected from a 22-year-old. He's a lot of fun and worth keeping an eye on. Goalkeeper Chris Brady is also someone Houston fans should familiarize themselves with given his recent call ups into the USMNT after three seasons as the Fire's starting goalkeeper despite only being 21.
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We want to thank Joe for his time and wish our friends in Chicago the best of luck this weekend.
