Throwback Thursday: Chicago Fire return to Houston
(image via ABC7 Chicago)
Houston Dynamo FC will host Chicago Fire FC this Saturday to kick off the 2026 Major League Soccer season and what better way to kick off the season than a quick trip down memory lane?
If you can believe it, the last time the Fire came down to the H was June 25, 2022, nearly four years ago.
A lot has changed since that night.
Fun fact: Griffin Dorsey was the last remaining player from the roster that took the field that day against Chicago still with the organization… until the Dynamo traded their right back to Orlando City yesterday for $1 million dollars in General Allocation Money. From the 16 players that played for the Dynamo in that match, only three players remain in MLS today: Teenage Hadebe, now with FC Cincinnati, Tim Parker, at New York Red Bull, and Dorsey.
That night in Houston ended in a 2–0 victory for the men coached by Paulo Nagamura. The goals? Thorleifur “Thor” Úlfarsson, the Icelandic forward drafted out of Duke, opened the scoring in the 23rd minute to give the Dynamo a 1-0 lead. “El Científico” himself, Darwin Quintero, sealed the win with Houston’s second goal just before halftime.
The highest-rated Dynamo player on Fotmob on the night was Swedish fullback Adam Lundqvist, who picked up an assist on Quintero’s goal. Goalkeeper Steve Clark recorded four saves and secured the clean sheet.
That was the last time Chicago came to Houston. Since then, these two sides have only met twice.
On April 6, 2024, the last time the teams played each other Chicago Fire FC claimed a 2–1 victory at Soldier Field. Xherdan Shaqiri converted early from the penalty spot. Ibrahim Aliyu equalized for the Dynamo i nthe second half but Brian Gutiérrez struck late to secure the win for the home side.
The most meaningful clash between these clubs since 2022 didn’t come in MLS play. It came in the historic 2023 edition of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
In the quarterfinals, the Houston Dynamo FC dismantled Chicago 4–1 at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois. It was a statement victory in what became a magical tournament run for Houston. The Dynamo would go on to lift the trophy after defeating Inter Miami CF in the final, capturing their second Open Cup title in club history.
Now, nearly four years removed from Chicago’s last visit to the Bayou City, the story resets. New faces. New managers. But the goal remains the same for Ben Olsen and his squad, 3 points and their eyes set on another trophy at the end of the year.
