Playoff bound! Chicago Fire end postseason drought with Miami upset | OneFootball

By Ben Wright

For the first time since 2017, Chicago Fire FC are going to the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.

Chicago rolled to their first postseason berth in nearly a decade Tuesday night, taking down Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF in a breathtaking 5-3 win at Chase Stadium.

The performance was thrilling – five different Fire players scored as the visitors withstood a pair of Miami rallies before pulling away with two late goals – and a milestone for the club during head coach Gregg Berhalter's first season.

"It was an objective of ours to reach the playoffs. We achieved it with two games left, so that's nice," Berhalter told MLS Season Pass after the result ended the league's longest postseason drought.

"For us, it's about continuing to build a strong team that can win."

Hungry for more

After an up-and-down start to the 2025 campaign, the Fire have found their footing. They've won seven of their last 10 matches to secure a Wild Card spot and can contend for a bye to a Round One Best-of-3 Series.

"To reach one of your objectives is a nice accomplishment, but I can't emphasize enough that we need more," said Berhalter, appointed in October 2024.

"We need to perform well in our last two games and see if we can keep climbing the table."

Homegrowns seal the deal

Poetically, with the game tied 3-3 late in the second half, the Fire's two decisive goals came from homegrowns Justin Reynolds and Brian Gutiérrez.

Reynolds put the Fire ahead with an 80th-minute tap-in, and Gutiérrez iced the result three minutes later with an emphatic laser from outside the box.

"It's an amazing feeling," Gutiérrez said. "I think we've been in rough paths throughout these past years, and for me, being with the team and being through all these struggles and finally seeing that we've reached what we wanted to do in such a long time, it's honestly a great relief.

"Super, super proud of this team."

Gutiérrez has been with the Fire since 2015, moving up the academy ranks before making his first-team debut in 2020. Now in his sixth season as a professional, Gutiérrez is desperate to see his hometown club return to its former glory.

"I think it's an honor and a privilege for all of us," said the USMNT midfielder. "I think we go out and say the same thing, that being all from Chicago and representing your hometown is a dream come true.

"Coming from Chicago, you strive to make it to the first team. And honestly, being all together is an amazing feeling."

Possible playoff run?

With the playoffs secured, the Fire aren't content to be back in the big show. According to Berhalter, a Cinderella run could be in the cards.

"The beauty of the MLS playoffs is that once you get in, anything can happen," said the former USMNT boss. "I'm not gonna sit here and tell you our new objective [is] to win it all. But our objective is to compete."

Currently eighth in the Eastern Conference with 51 points, Chicago host Toronto FC on Saturday in their final regular-season home game (8:30 pm ET | MLS Season Pass). They'll also visit the New England Revolution on Decision Day (Oct. 18).

For Berhalter, the idea is to have more matches in the Windy City come playoff time.

"All we're looking for is an opportunity to compete," Berhalter said. "So, happy for the club, happy for the staff, all the hard work they put in all year. Happy for the squad."

HIGHLIGHTS: Inter Miami CF vs. Chicago Fire FC | September 30, 2025