Chicago Fire Aim to Build on Playoff Berth, Open Season at Houston Dynamo

The Fire look to take the next step after ending their MLS Cup playoff drought in 2025.

Feb. 21, 2026 at 2:21am

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The Chicago Fire are hoping to build on their return to the MLS Cup playoffs last season, as they open the 2026 campaign with a visit to the Houston Dynamo. The Fire ended a seven-year playoff drought in 2025, but were eliminated in the first round. Now they're focused on taking the next step, led by defender Joel Waterman, who was acquired midway through last season. The Dynamo, meanwhile, are under new management and have added several key attacking pieces in the offseason, including Polish international Mateusz Bogusz.

Why it matters

The Fire's return to the playoffs in 2025 was a significant milestone, but the club is hungry for more after a first-round exit. Their ability to take the next step will be a key storyline to watch in the Eastern Conference this season. Meanwhile, the Dynamo are looking to rebound from a disappointing 2025 campaign and establish themselves as a contender in the West with their offseason roster overhaul.

The details

The Fire finished eighth in the Eastern Conference last season, earning a wild-card playoff berth. They defeated Orlando City in the opening round before falling to the top-seeded Philadelphia Union. Chicago's offense was potent, scoring 68 goals, but the defense conceded 60 - the sixth-most in MLS. The addition of defender Joel Waterman in August should help shore up the backline. The Dynamo, meanwhile, finished 12th in the West in 2025 but have made several high-profile offseason additions, including Polish attacker Mateusz Bogusz and the return of midfielder Hector Herrera.

  • The 2026 MLS season kicks off on Saturday, February 22.
  • The Chicago Fire open their season with a road match against the Houston Dynamo.

The players

Joel Waterman

A 30-year-old defender who was acquired by the Fire from CF Montreal in August 2025. He's looking to help solidify the team's backline after they conceded the sixth-most goals in MLS last season.

Mateusz Bogusz

A 24-year-old Polish international attacker who the Dynamo signed as a Designated Player this offseason. He previously played in MLS with LAFC in 2023-24 before spending 2025 in Liga MX.

Hector Herrera

A veteran midfielder who the Dynamo have repatriated after he spent the 2025 season with Liga MX side Toluca, where he won a championship.

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What they’re saying

“We only made the first round, and we expected to do better. But it's having those conversations of where are we at now? How can we get better, both individually and collectively? ... Not just being satisfied with making playoffs. That's great, but how else can we improve?”

— Joel Waterman, Defender

“I like the project, I like a lot of movement of the club. That's why I chose Houston. I know there is a lot of opportunity in Houston. Let's focus on now, and I want to come back to play good, to enjoy the time on the field. And I know if I play good, good things are going to happen.”

— Mateusz Bogusz

What’s next

The Fire and Dynamo will meet again on April 5 in Chicago, providing an early-season rematch between the two clubs.

The takeaway

The Fire's return to the playoffs in 2025 was an important step, but they're hungry for more this season. Meanwhile, the Dynamo have undergone a significant roster overhaul and are aiming to reestablish themselves as contenders in the Western Conference.