Atlanta needs win against Fire to avoid likely elimination

Seeking to avoid their first three-game losing streak of the season, Chicago Fire visit Atlanta United on Saturday night in Eastern Conference play. Chicago (14-10-6, 48 points) enters in fourth place and has already clinched a playoff spot, after a 2025 campaign that returned it to postseason action for the first time in nearly a decade. However, the Fire have scored one goal in back-to-back losses to Philadelphia Union and New England Revolution, teams they could meet again in the playoffs. Head coach Gregg Berhalter said Chicago must improve finishing and defensive work in the “low block.” Veteran Robert Lewandowski, 38, has six goals but none in his last six matches. Atlanta (8-16-6, 30 points) trails CF Montreal by a spot and could be eliminated Saturday if it loses and CF Montreal results favor New York Red Bulls. Chicago beat Atlanta 1-0 on April 11; Maren Haile-Selassie scored in the 13th minute.