Charlotte FC vs Chicago Fire Match Preview: Player Matchup & Predicted Starting XI
By Rylee McKinney (@rylees_roster) and Sean McGuffin (@SeanMCG704)
Charlotte FC finally returns to their home base tonight, looking to pick up a crucial result against the Chicago Fire as the regular season enters its final stretch. With the playoff race tightening, every point matters more than ever for Dean Smith’s side.
With International duty underway, both sides will be missing some major firepower tonight. For Charlotte, Idan Toklomati (Israel), Liel Abada (Israel), Rodolfo Aloko (Benin), and Andrew Johnson (St. Vincent and the Grenadines) have all been recently called up. On the other hand, Chicago's lineup will miss Anzor Mekvabishvili (Georgia), Robert Lewandowski (Poland), Chris Brady (US), Robin Lod (Finland), and Puso Dithejane (South Africa).
The Crown will face a Chicago team looking to make an impact on the road, while Charlotte’s attack will need to find ways through a Fire backline.
With both sides fighting for important points, this matchup could come down to which team can capitalize on its chances in the final third. Tonight's Player Matchup looks at young versus old blood: Archie Goodwin versus Jack Elliott.
Player Matchup
Charlotte FC - Forward - Archie Goodwin
Goodwin enters Saturday’s matchup looking to make an impact against a Chicago defense he saw briefly in the first meeting between the two clubs. The 21-year-old striker has recorded three goals in 23 MLS appearances this season, despite playing just 369 minutes, and has been used primarily as a substitute in recent matches.
With Toklomati on international duty, tonight's game will be extremely important for Goodwin to prove he can be starting material.
Goodwin's biggest challenge will be finding space around Elliott and Chicago’s back line. The Australian forward ranks in the 90th percentile among forwards for goals and the 67th percentile for shot attempts, giving Charlotte another attacking option capable of making the most of limited opportunities.
Chicago Fire FC - Defender - Jack Elliott
Jack Elliott has been one of Chicago’s most consistent defensive pieces this season, starting all 67 matches he has played for the Fire since joining the club in 2024. The 6'6" center back has logged 1,930 MLS minutes in 2026 with a 6.87 FotMob rating, along with one assist and five yellow cards.
And Elliott is here to stay, with a new contract just signed through the 2027-2028 MLS season.
Elliott’s size and aerial ability could make life difficult for Charlotte's attack, but his ability to defend in space will be just as important against Archie Goodwin. Elliott ranks in the 79th percentile among center backs for aerial duels won, while also ranking highly for touches and shot attempts.
Charlotte FC's Predicted Starting XI vs Chicago Fire FC
Here is our Predicted Starting XI for tonight as Charlotte takes on Chicago Fire:
Defensive Unit
Kristijan Kahlina will be in goal at The Bank, with Tim Ream and Henry Kessler likely to start on the defensive line. Byrne is also likely to start, with the biggest question mark being at the left-back position. David Schnegg has the highest likelihood to start, but Harry Toffolo is quickly getting back to peak form and could even play up to 70 minutes per Dean Smith.
Morrison Agyemang, Will Cleary, Tyler Miller, Harry Toffolo and Andrew Privett will be available as substitutes.
Midfield
Captain Ashley Westwood is once again a certainty in the midfield; the rest of the unit looks to be shaken up once again this season. Djibril Diani has the edge over Brandt Bronico for the other defensive midfielder spot, but Bronico could still see a start if Biel is utilized as a right winger in the absence of Liel Abada.
Luca De La Torre will be available as a sub.
Forward line
Striker Idan Toklomati and right winger Liel Abada will both be absent from the Bank tonight due to their international call-ups. Because of this, we may see Pep Biel taking a spot on the attacking line similar to when Kerwin Vargas departed the team earlier this season. There is a chance that Biel starts in his normal attacking midfielder position, in which case Tyger Smalls will be trusted with the start at right winger. With Toklomati's absence, Dean Smith will assign Archie Goodwin to start tonight's match as Striker.
Tyger Smalls will likely be a sub for tonight's match.
Predicted XI
