The temperature will be colder, but CF Montreal have to be hotter on Saturday in Chicago or their 2026 MLS season may already be up in flames.

CF Montréal travel to Soldier Field in Chicago on Saturday afternoon to face Gregg Berhalter’s Chicago Fire in CFMtl’s second match of the 2026 MLS season.

Montréal will be desperate to bounce back after a heavy 5-0 opening day defeat on the road to San Diego FC, a game in which defender Tomás Avilés was sent off and will miss this fixture through suspension. 

The Fire also began the season with a road loss, conceding a late comeback to fall 2-1 to the Houston Dynamo despite taking an early lead through Hugo Cuypers. 

Head-to-head, Montréal actually hold the edge against Chicago with a 13-10-8 overall record against the Fire, though their away record in the Windy City is less favourable with just three wins, four losses, seven draws and 25 goals conceded.

Montreal could face a motivated Joel Waterman on Saturday. The former CFM centre-back was traded to the Fire in August 2025 and has thrived under Berhalter.

At least one club will see their first points of 2026 at Solider Field. After last week, Montréal need to respond early, and keep 11 men on the pitch.

More to come.