Red Bull New York vs. Chicago Fire: What to know for Saturday Showdown

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Major League Soccer

·20 August 2026

Red Bull New York vs. Chicago Fire: What to know for Saturday Showdown

By Jaime Uribarri

Robert Lewandowski and red-hot Chicago Fire FC take their six-game winning streak across all competitions to Red Bull New York for Matchday 22's Walmart Saturday Showdown.

OneFootball Videos

How to watch & stream

Apple TV

When

Saturday, Aug. 22 | 7:30 pm ET/4:30 pm PT

Where

Sports Illustrated Stadium | Harrison, New Jersey

Match Trailer | Red Bull New York host surging Chicago Fire

Red Bull New York

Standings

8th in Eastern Conference
25 points (7W-9L-4D)

Last game

Red Bull were seconds away from salvaging a point against Supporters' Shield-leading Nashville SC on Wednesday, only for Maxwell Woledzi's 92nd-minute header to leave them empty-handed in a 1-0 defeat.

The loss was the fourth in the last five games for Michael Bradley's side since returning from the World Cup pause.

Players to watch

Julian Hall: RBNY's 18-year-old homegrown earned his first MLS All-Star selection this summer amid a breakout 9g/5a season.
Adri Mehmeti: Like Hall, fellow homegrown Mehmeti, 17, has generated plenty of USMNT and transfer buzz while producing 1g/5a this year.
Emil Forsberg: RBNY's Swedish captain has 3g/7a, producing double-digit goal contributions for the third straight season.
Matthew Dos Santos: Yet another rising RBNY homegrown, 18-year-old Dos Santos has claimed the left back position in his debut MLS season.

Need to know

Bradley's "play the kids" motto has turned the "Baby Bulls" into one of the most endearing and entertaining stories of 2026.

However, it's also led to the inevitable growing pains, as evidenced by their post-World Cup struggles (1W-4L-0D record).

Clinging to the last non-Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference, Red Bull will look to right the ship with a statement performance on Saturday.

Chicago Fire FC

Standings

3rd in Eastern Conference
35 points (11W-6L-2D)

Last game

Chicago continued their perfect month of August with a 2-1 victory at Orlando City on Wednesday night.

Puso Dithejane's fourth-minute opener was canceled out by David Brekalo following a lengthy weather delay, before Lewandowski secured all three points for the Fire, scoring from the penalty spot midway through the second half.

Players to watch

Robert Lewandowski: The legendary Polish striker is up to three goals in five MLS games during his debut season with the Fire.
Puso Dithejane: The South African U22 Initiative winger has found his groove since the World Cup break, scoring four goals in his last eight appearances.
Chris Brady: The homegrown goalkeeper has six clean sheets this season while representing the USMNT at this summer's World Cup.
Maren Haile-Selassie: The Swiss winger has 10 goal contributions (3g/7a) this season, good for second-most on the team.

Need to know

The Fire have been unstoppable of late, posting three straight MLS wins to go along with a perfect Leagues Cup 2026 Phase One campaign that saw them defeat three LIGA MX opponents (Necaxa, Santos Laguna and Cruz Azul).

Gregg Berhalter's men will look to keep the good times going on Saturday to solidify their MLS contender status and further boost morale ahead of Tuesday's Leagues Cup quarterfinal date with CF Monterrey.