The Chicago Fire are going back to the MLS Cup playoffs. For the first time since 2008 and 2009, they're doing so in consecutive seasons.
The Fire clinched playoffs despite failing to beat the New England Revolution on Saturday. The Men in Red would have certainly secured their berth with a win or draw in either of their last two games, and lost both, but because Orlando City defeated D.C. United at Inter.Co Stadium.
This year's clinch does not quite have the same drama or excitement as last year's thrilling 5-3 victory at Inter Miami, although the Fire will nonetheless board their return flight tonight knowing that their postseason status is safe; the anticlimactic clinch is still the earliest that the Fire have done so since 2003, doing so with four games to spare.
Last season, under Director of Football and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter, the Fire's main objective was simply to return to the postseason, something they hadn't done in any capacity since 2017. They did so, finishing 8th in the regular season, and defeating Orlando City in a home wild card game. This year, the ambitions are much higher, and so far they've matched them, clinching their berth with several games to spare.
The Fire's attention will now turn to securing a favorable postseason seed. The most straightforward objective is to secure a top-four seed in the East, which offers home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Although Nashville SC have run away with first place, the second and third positions in the East are clearly up for grabs, with the New England Revolution, Inter Miami, Charlotte FC, and the Philadelphia Union all still in contention.
Although the Fire are enjoying their best-ever attendance season in 2026, averaging more than 30,000 fans per game since the World Cup, all home playoff games will almost certainly be played at SeatGeek Stadium. The Chicago Bears' schedule isn't kind to the Fire, as weekend playoff games will be pushed out of Soldier Field. However, if the Fire reach and host MLS Cup on December 18th, the ~62,000-seat downtown venue will be available.
The Fire now have four games to play as they look to find their best form before the postseason. They will travel to Atlanta to kick off a manageable remaining schedule that also includes Orlando (home), Colorado (away), and Columbus (home). A short international break will precede the playoffs.
