Leagues Cup Preview: Rayados vs. Chicago Fire

In partnership with

Hooligan Soccer

·24 August 2026

Leagues Cup Preview: Rayados vs. Chicago Fire

The Leagues Cup quarterfinals are here, and this Tuesday, Monterrey and Chicago Fire will square off at SeatGeek Stadium with a spot in the semifinals on the line. In other words, one team gets to keep dreaming about a trophy, while the other will be eliminated and left to deal with its first failure of the season.

Based on recent form, Chicago Fire enter as the slight favorites. The MLS side is riding a seven-game unbeaten streak, with six wins and one draw, while Rayados are coming off a 2-0 loss to León in Liga MX. Not exactly the kind of result you frame and hang on the wall before traveling to the United States.

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Still, this is an unprecedented matchup, and both teams have enough talent to turn this into one of the most entertaining games of the quarterfinals.

Expect Some Potent Offense…

For Chicago, the headline attraction is Robert Lewandowski. Since arriving this summer, the legendary Polish striker has scored four goals in nine appearances. And because apparently one superstar wasn’t enough, Philip Zinckernagel, Jonathan Bamba and Maren Haile-Selassie are also enjoying excellent form.

Chicago are coached by Gregg Berhalter and are looking to end a 20-year wait for a trophy. So yes, there is quite a bit at stake for the Fire beyond simply surviving another Leagues Cup night.

And then there is the obvious question: could this game produce goals?

Absolutely.

Monterrey have scored 10 goals across their last four matches, while Chicago have found the net seven times in their last four. Both teams have shown plenty of attacking firepower, and with a semifinal berth at stake, neither side will want to leave anything in the locker.

…But Not Much Defense

The problem is that defending hasn’t exactly been either team’s favorite hobby.

Monterrey have conceded in each of their last five matches across Liga MX and the Leagues Cup. Chicago have also allowed goals in five straight games. So, naturally, everything points toward a goal-fest.

Both score goals. Both concede goals. They both have attackers in excellent form. Why wouldn’t we expect fireworks?

Well, because this is knockout soccer, and nobody wants to be the team that gets eliminated while trying to entertain everyone.

Monterrey may be coming off a 2-0 defeat against León, but their attack remains dangerous and is gradually adapting to Matías Almeyda’s ideas. Hugo Cuypers will face his former club, adding another layer to an already spicy matchup. Diego Rossi, another former MLS standout, knows exactly how to handle these kinds of games, while Orbelín Pineda arrives as one of Monterrey’s newest reinforcements after representing Mexico at the World Cup.

On paper, and when it comes to individual talent, this could be the most attractive quarterfinal of the Leagues Cup.

So buckle up. There are former players, stars, shaky defenses, dangerous attacks and a trophy drought involved.

What could possibly go wrong?

Match Details

Tuesday, Aug. 25 | 8:30 pm ET / 5:30 pm PT
SeatGeek Stadium | Bridgeview, Illinois
Streaming on: Apple TV

The winner will advance to face Club América or Columbus Crew in the Leagues Cup semifinals, which will be played Sept. 1-2.

Rayados Players to Watch

Hugo Cuypers: The former Chicago Fire striker was leading the MLS Golden Boot race before being transferred to Monterrey following Robert Lewandowski’s arrival. Now he gets the opportunity to haunt his old club. Football loves a little drama.
Diego Rossi: The former LAFC and Columbus Crew forward has recorded three goals and four assists in his first eight games with Monterrey. The Rayados acquired him from Columbus in early July, and he has quickly become one of their most important attacking weapons.
Luca Orellano: The former FC Cincinnati standout was the 2024 AT&T MLS Goal of the Year winner and remains one of Monterrey’s most dangerous creative players.

Chicago Fire Players to Watch

Robert Lewandowski: The Polish legend has wasted little time making his presence felt, scoring four goals in nine appearances since arriving this summer. Because apparently Chicago decided it needed a striker who has spent his career making defenders question their life choices.
Philip Zinckernagel: The two-time MLS All-Star remains one of Chicago’s most dangerous attacking players and is producing nearly a goal contribution per game.
Chris Brady: The Homegrown goalkeeper is now in his fourth season as Chicago’s starter. He also served as the USMNT’s third-choice goalkeeper at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, so he knows a thing or two about pressure.

Hooligan Pick

Chicago Fire 2-1 Rayados.

Chicago’s momentum is hard to ignore, and while Monterrey have enough firepower to make this uncomfortable, the Fire should have just enough to punch their ticket to the semifinals.

And if both defenses continue their recent tradition of generously donating goals, don’t be surprised if that 2-1 prediction looks very conservative by the final whistle.