Chicago Fire FC vs San Jose Earthquakes, MLS 2026 MLS IS BACK GROUP STAGE
Overview
Match Preview
Chicago Fire FC vs San Jose Earthquakes — MLS at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
- Chicago Fire FC 14 games · 26 pts (2026/26)
- San Jose Earthquakes 15 games · 32 pts (2026/26)
Match Details
- Referee Ismail Elfath
- Referee C. Blanchard
- Referee Victor Rivas
- Referee Ramy Touchan
- Referee Chris Wattam
10 games this season
🟨 2.0/game
⚽ 5.9 goals/game
🟥 1 total
Standings
| # | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nashville SC | 14 | 33 |
| 2 | Internacional CF Miami | 15 | 31 |
| 3 | Chicago Fire FC | 14 | 26 |
| 4 | New England Revolution | 14 | 25 |
| 5 | New York Red Bulls | 15 | 22 |
| 6 | Charlotte FC | 15 | 21 |
| 7 | FC Cincinnati | 15 | 20 |
| 8 | New York City FC | 15 | 19 |
| 9 | D.C. United SC | 15 | 18 |
| 10 | Columbus Crew SC | 15 | 16 |
| 11 | Toronto FC | 14 | 14 |
| 12 | Montreal Impact FC | 14 | 14 |
| 13 | Orlando City SC | 15 | 14 |
| 14 | Atlanta United FC | 14 | 11 |
| 15 | Philadelphia Union | 15 | 7 |
| 16 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 14 | 32 |
| 17 | San Jose Earthquakes | 15 | 32 |
| 18 | Real Salt Lake | 14 | 26 |
| 19 | FC Dallas | 15 | 25 |
| 20 | Los Angeles FC | 15 | 24 |
| 21 | Seattle Sounders FC | 13 | 24 |
| 22 | Houston Dynamo | 14 | 22 |
| 23 | Minnesota United FC | 15 | 22 |
| 24 | Los Angeles Galaxy | 15 | 20 |
| 25 | San Diego FC | 15 | 17 |
| 26 | Colorado Rapids SC | 15 | 16 |
| 27 | St. Louis City | 14 | 16 |
| 28 | Portland Timbers | 14 | 14 |
| 29 | Austin FC | 15 | 14 |
| 30 | Sporting Kansas City | 14 | 11 |
Head-to-Head
Recent Form
| Date | Opponent | H/A | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Jul | San Jose Earthquakes | H | 0–2 | L |
| 14 Jul | Seattle Sounders FC | H | 2–1 | W |
| 07 Mar | New England Revolution | A | 1–1 | D |
| 01 Mar | Seattle Sounders FC | A | 1–2 | L |
| 06 Oct | Orlando City SC | A | 5–2 | W |
| 29 Sep | Toronto FC | H | 2–2 | D |
| Date | Opponent | H/A | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Jul | Chicago Fire FC | A | 2–0 | W |
| 16 Jul | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | A | 4–3 | W |
| 11 Jul | Seattle Sounders FC | A | 0–0 | D |
| 08 Mar | Minnesota United FC | H | 2–5 | L |
| 29 Feb | Toronto FC | H | 2–2 | D |
| 06 Oct | Portland Timbers | A | 1–3 | L |
Season Stats
| Chicago Fire FC | San Jose Earthquakes | |
|---|---|---|
| #3 | Position | #17 |
| 26 | Points | 32 |
| 14 | Played | 15 |
| 8 / 2 / 4 | W / D / L | 10 / 2 / 3 |
| 27 | Scored | 34 |
| 16 | Conceded | 15 |
| +11 | GD | +19 |
| 1.86 | PPG | 2.13 |
| 57% | Win % | 67% |
Key Stats
60%
Both Teams to Score
H2H (5 games)
H2H (5 games)
60%
Over 2.5 Goals
H2H history
H2H history
50%
Clean Sheets
Chicago Fire FC this season
Chicago Fire FC this season
33%
Clean Sheets
San Jose Earthquakes this season
San Jose Earthquakes this season
Chicago Fire FC are 3rd (26 pts). San Jose Earthquakes are 17th (32 pts).
Goal Timing (This Season)
Chicago Fire FC
0-15
3/–
16-30
4/1
31-45
1/4
46-60
2/1
61-75
4/–
76+
2/3
■ Scored ■ Conceded
San Jose Earthquakes
0-15
7/3
16-30
2/2
31-45
3/1
46-60
4/4
61-75
3/–
76+
7/3
■ Scored ■ Conceded
Events
Match Events
- 0' We are underway at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The crowd does wile while the referee lows the starting whistle.
- 5' named a earlier, and opted for a in response. A fascinating tactical duel is developing.
- 10' Spectators do not have much to choose from both teams. The sides had several scoring chances but they still need a bit more than just a sight of a goal.
- 15' A moment of individual brilliance could settle this. Both teams are waiting for that decisive action.
- 20' With 0 assists to his name this season, Mauricio Pineda is clearly more than just a goal scorer for Chicago Fire FC.
- 25' Guram Kashia has been disciplined this evening — perhaps mindful of those 0 cards already picked up this season.
- 29' The referee calls foul for Boris Sekulic. He receives a Yellow card.
- 34' Daniel Vega is a natural and has been asked to do a very specific job for Chicago Fire FC tonight.
- 37' The referee shows San Jose Earthquakes player a Yellow card on 37.
- 42' San Jose Earthquakes fans have not had much to celebrate tonight. Their side is struggling to get forward.
- 45' A change in the Chicago Fire FC ranks — Luka Stojanovic exits the field as Fabian Herbers enters on 45.
- 50' The referee does not hesitate — a Yellow card for Judson on 50 minutes.
- 53' The referee has no hesitation. Alvaro Medran is booked for Chicago Fire FC — Yellow card on 53.
- 56' A stunning finish from Cristian Espinoza — that came from absolutely nowhere!
- 58' It’s gonna be a Yellow card for Gaston Gimenez.
- 61' Fabian Herbers picks up a Yellow card and will need to be extremely careful for the remainder of this match.
- 62' Mauricio Pineda was booked on 62.
- 67' The tempo has dropped considerably in the last few minutes. Raphaël Wicky will be considering his options from the bench.
- 69' Fresh legs for San Jose Earthquakes! Shea Salinas comes on to replace Vako Qazaishvili.
- 71' Time for substitution for Chicago Fire FC. C.J. Sapong is replaced by Elliot Collier.
- 72' Mauricio Pineda makes way for Djordje Mihailovic at the 72 minute mark. A tactical switch from Chicago Fire FC.
- 77' A tactical chess match is unfolding here. The question is which manager blinks first.
- 82' Danny Hoesen is replacing Nick Lima for the San Jose Earthquakes side.
- 83' Chris Wondolowski does the damage! The net is bulging and San Jose Earthquakes surge ahead!
- 86' A moment of madness from Magnus Eriksson on 86 minutes earns him a Yellow card. San Jose Earthquakes will be frustrated.
- 90' Chicago Fire FC ring the changes. Boris Sekulic has done his job and it is now time for Ignacio Aliseda to step up.
- Another three points for San Jose Earthquakes.
Lineups
Chicago Fire FC Lineups
Starting XI
- 18
- 27
- 10
-
9
C.J. Sapong ↓ Elliot Collier 71'
- 11
- 5
- 30
-
2
Boris Sekulic ↓ Ignacio Aliseda 90'
- 8
- 6
- 22
Bench
- 24
-
21
Fabian Herbers ↑ 45'
- 13
-
14
Djordje Mihailovic ↑ 72'
- 20
-
7
Ignacio Aliseda ↑ 90'
-
28
Elliot Collier ↑ 71'
- 36
- 3
- 32
- 25
- 37
Coach
Raphaël Wicky
San Jose Earthquakes Lineups
Starting XI
- 25
-
93
Judson ↓ Chris Wondolowski 82'
- 37
- 7
-
11
Vako Qazaishvili ↓ Shea Salinas 69'
-
24
Nick Lima ↓ Danny Hoesen 82'
- 23
- 14
- 10
- 17
-
33
Paul Marie ↓ Tommy Thompson 69'
Bench
- 4
-
9
Danny Hoesen ↑ 82'
-
6
Shea Salinas ↑ 69'
- 96
-
8
Chris Wondolowski ↑ 82'
- 12
-
22
Tommy Thompson ↑ 69'
- 26
- 44
-
21
Carlos Fierro ↑ 82'
- 15
- 16
Coach
Matias Almeyda
H2H
H2H Top Scorers
| Player | Goals |
|---|---|
| Chris Wondolowski | 5 |
| Benjamin Kikanovic | 2 |
| Aleksandar Katai | 2 |
| Cristian Espinoza | 1 |
| Brian Gutierrez | 1 |
| Hernan Lopez Munoz | 1 |
| Danny Hoesen | 1 |
| Alan Gordon | 1 |
Head to Head
Chicago Fire FC Form
2020-07-20
Chicago Fire FC
0–2
San Jose Earthquakes
L
2020-07-14
Chicago Fire FC
2–1
Seattle Sounders FC
W
2020-03-07
New England Revolution
1–1
Chicago Fire FC
D
2020-03-01
Seattle Sounders FC
2–1
Chicago Fire FC
L
2019-10-06
Orlando City SC
2–5
Chicago Fire FC
W
2019-09-29
Chicago Fire FC
2–2
Toronto FC
D
San Jose Earthquakes Form
2020-07-20
Chicago Fire FC
0–2
San Jose Earthquakes
W
2020-07-16
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
3–4
San Jose Earthquakes
W
2020-07-11
Seattle Sounders FC
0–0
San Jose Earthquakes
D
2020-03-08
San Jose Earthquakes
2–5
Minnesota United FC
L
2020-02-29
San Jose Earthquakes
2–2
Toronto FC
D
2019-10-06
Portland Timbers
3–1
San Jose Earthquakes
L
Predictions
Prediction accuracy
2 / 4
1.26
Chicago Fire FC xG
Expected Goals
Dixon-Coles · Bivariate Poisson · Neg. Binomial · Elo
1.79
San Jose Earthquakes xG
I would bet for:
Chicago Fire FC or San Jose Earthquakes 73% + Both teams to score 60%
Match Result
✓ CorrectActual: San Jose Earthquakes win
Both Teams to Score
✗ Wrong
Avg goals/match: 3.05
Actual: No — clean sheet
Over / Under Goals
✗ O/U 2.5| Line | Over | Under | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ± 0.5 | 94% |
|
6% |
| ± 1.5 | 81% |
|
19% |
| ± 2.5 | 58% |
|
42% |
| ± 3.5 | 36% |
|
64% |
| ± 4.5 | 20% |
|
80% |
Double Chance
Chicago Fire FC or Draw
56%
Draw or San Jose Earthquakes
71%
Chicago Fire FC or San Jose Earthquakes
73%
Half-Time Result
✓ CorrectActual: Draw at HT
Correct Score
✓ In top 12
1 – 1
11.6%
1 – 2
9.2%
0 – 1
7.7%
0 – 2
Actual
2 – 1
6.5%
0 – 0
6.4%
2 – 2
5.8%
1 – 3
5.5%
1 – 0
5.2%
0 – 3
4.4%
2 – 0
3.8%
2 – 3
3.5%
Asian Handicap — Chicago Fire FC
| Handicap | Chicago Fire FC covers | Push | San Jose Earthquakes covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| -2.5 | 4% | — | 96% |
| -2 | 4% | 7% | 89% |
| -1.5 | 11% | — | 89% |
| -1 | 11% | 15% | 74% |
| -0.5 | 26% | — | 74% |
| +0.5 | 52% | — | 48% |
| +1 | 52% | 21% | 27% |
| +1.5 | 73% | — | 27% |
| +2 | 73% | 15% | 12% |
| +2.5 | 88% | — | 12% |
Clean Sheet
Chicago Fire FC keeps clean sheet
18%
✓
San Jose Earthquakes keeps clean sheet
29%
✗
Predictions are statistical estimates based on season form, H2H history, and a Poisson model. Not financial advice.