Hugo Cuypers came back into the Fire's lineup and made an immediate impact as he got involved in all three goals for the Fire in Cincinnati. Hugo the Selfless Striker may be the King of Queen City, but it's not all hearts for the Fire as the team can't hold a late two goal lead, settling for a 3-3 draw. John and Tim talk about what went wrong late in Cincinnati, as well the elite seasons that Cuypers and Brady have been having.

In U.S. Open Cup action Jason Shokalook gets a brace in his first team debut to send the Fire past Detroit City 2-1 as one of four players getting their first start for the first team — but Detroit's Darren Smith made it interesting.  John and Tim talk the Fire's performance, focusing on the four first-time starters for the Men In Red. Then they switch focus to what's next as they break down the Fire's next game when they head to FC Cincinnati, suddenly a bottom feeder in the giant blob that is the Eastern Conference so far this year.

John and Tim look back at the Fire's win over the Five Stripes of Atlanta and Maren Haile-Selassie's highly productive match. Gregg Berhalter will take his side to Hamtranck, Michigan to open Chicago's 2026 US Open Cup campaign on Tuesday, April 14th. When Hugo Cuypers returns from injury, will Robin Lod have shown enough to keep his spot over Maren? Fire end weekend 2nd in the Eastern Conference and 5th in the Supporter's Shield race; on the back of a strong defensive year as the attack lacks a spark.

The Fire are back at home as they take on Atlanta United, a team that's trying to go back to the future, reuniting Miguel Almirón and Tata Martino. So far, it hasn't gone great, and Tata's out for this one after a red card received during a mass confrontation during last week's loss to the Crew. John and Tim chat about why that is as well as what to expect from the Fire after their second win in a row, even as they once again featured a new Starting XI combination with Hugo Cuypers out.

Zinck scores the Fire's fastest goal in team history and Brady's acrobatic saves push keep the clean sheet — giving he Fire their second-ever win against a Nashville side that came to town undefeated and atop the Supporters Shield standings. And all of that without Hugo Cuypers in a game where a still-recuperating Jack Elliott was thrust into the XI at the last minute
John and Tim talk about another complete team performance where it felt like the Fire felt comfortable seeing what feels like it could be a 1-0 signature win.

John and Tim invite Kyndra De St. Aubin from Apple TV to The Bonfire ahead of Chicago Fire's matchup against Nashville SC. The game, coming off the international break, will be the Fire's sternest test yet as they host the current Supporters Shield leaders at Soldier Field. Can Gregg Berhalter wash away the team's worst defeat in team history with a result at Soldier Field?

It's the end of March and the season hasn't gone exactly how GGG and the Fire have planned. Is All-Star performer Philip Zinkernagel headed to the bench? Mbekezeli Mbokazi came to Chicago with all of South Africa behind him, has he lived up to that kind of hype? Lod came in to compliment Franco like Brian Gutiérrez, has he filled the hole? Live call-ins are back! Recorded LIVE March 26th, 2026.

The Fire go to Philadelphia — the team that won the Supporters Shield last year and ended their season — and walk away with 3 points after a gritty team effort.
John and Tim break down a strong team performance where Hugo Cuypers bags his fourth goal in as many appearances and Bamba bags another. They talk about Viktor Radojeviç's first serious minutes with the Fire and the maturation of the squad in a game where Radojević, along with teammates like Djé D'Avilla and Mobkezeli Mobkazi, matched the physicality of the Philadelphia Union and where the midfield shows that it is rolling into form.

John and Tim invite Apple TV's Danny Higginbotham to The Bonfire ahead of Chicago Fire's matchup against the Philadelphia Union. Saturday's game is a playoff rematch against two teams who find themselves lower on the table than they would have expected. Can the Fire use their fluid and speedy offense to unlock Philp Zinkernagel? Mbekezeli Mbokazi will look to continue to build his resume ahead of a chance at a World Cup callup.

John and Tim gather around The Bonfire after the Fire drop 3 points to DC United in a come-from-behind loss at home. A handful of first teamers started in the Fire II win over Chattanooga FC. GGG and the Fire continue to struggle with Guti-Franco sized hole in the midfield. Philip Zinkernagel does a lot but the offense isn't finding the back of net during the run of play.