Three Players to Watch: Chicago Fire FC
(image via Chicago Fire FC)
Each week we’ll be looking more into the Houston Dynamo’s opponent, talking to media that covers the team, digging into what we can expect from that squad, and in this series, taking a look at three players to watch from the upcoming opponent. Chicago Fire FC comes to Shell Energy Stadium Saturday to kick off the 2026 Major League Soccer season.
Chicago finished in 8th place in the Eastern Conference last season to make the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2017. New head coach Gregg Berhalter helped right the ship with a host of talented players. Here are three for Dynamo fans to keep an eye on this weekend.
Philip Zinckernagel
The Danish attacker burst onto the scene in MLS in 2025 with 15 goals and 12 assists to spearhead Chicago’s revamped attack. Zinckernagel is dangerous off the right side for the Fire, linking up with two other players we will talk about in a moment. However, this preseason has seen Zinckernagel playing more centrally as a number ten. The signing of Robin Lod will give Berhalter the freedom to use his attackers, including Zinckernagel, in a number of different roles. After bouncing around Europe, the Dane has found a home in Chicago where he is playing at a high level. Zinkernagel became the first player in Fire history to record ten goals and ten assists in a season and recorded a goal contribution in a MLS record-tyinh 10 straight road games. Now he begins his 2026 campaign on the road.
Hugo Cuypers
Cuypers is a prototypical number 9 who has a nose for being in the box at the right time and in the right place. He followed up his 10 goal debut season of 2024 by bagging 17 goals for the Fire last season. The Belgian added two goals in last season’s Eastern Conference Wild Card Game to lead Chicago to a 3-1 win over Orlando City. Cuypers is currently dealing with a concussion that he picked up in preseason and his status for the match at Shell Energy Stadium. Which leads to another reason to highlight Cuypers, the depth behind him. Behind Cuypers are the last two MLS NEXT Pro Golden Boot winners in Jason Shokalook and David Poreba. Both players have proven they can score but not yet in MLS. If Cuypers can’t go on Saturday, it leaves a big question mark in the middle of the Fire attack.
Mbekezeli Mbokazi
One of Chicago’s big moves this offseason was the signing of South African center back Mbekezeli Mbokazi from Orlando Pirates. The Fure added the 20-year-old South African international through the U-22 initiative. After an impressive preseason he looks to start in the center of the Fire defense alongside veteran Jack Elliott. Chicago allowed the third most goals in the Eastern Conference last season, conceding 60 in 34 league matches, with only bottom-feeders Atlanta and D.C. allowing more. Now they start the season with a brand new partnership at center back and a 20-year-old making his league debut. If Mbokazi can lean on Elliott’s experience and settle into the game, Chicago could have success against the Dynamo attack on Saturday night.
