FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The Chicago Fire walked out of Gillette Stadium on Saturday night with no points and a playoff ticket anyway, losing 1-0 to the New England Revolution but locking up a spot in the 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs once the evening's results were in.
New England struck on its first real look. Carles Gil collected a ball from Peyton Miller, worked toward the right side of the penalty area and, when Andrew Gutman blocked his path, laid it off to Matt Polster. Polster's shot caromed in off the far post in the 26th minute.
Chicago controlled most of what followed. The Fire finished with 19 shots to New England's five, won 10 corners to none and held 56% of possession, but Revolution goalkeeper Matt Turner turned away six attempts on target to protect the lead through stoppage time.
The result moved New England to 16-10-4 and 52 points. Chicago, at 14-10-6 with 48 points, holds fourth place in the East with four regular-season games to go. The Fire have now reached the postseason in back-to-back years for the first time since 2009, both with Gregg Berhalter running the team as coach and top soccer executive, and this will be the club's 15th playoff trip overall.
Robert Lewandowski, signed in July, has six goals and four assists for Chicago, while Maren Haile-Selassie leads the team with 11 goals. Norwegian center back Andreas Hanche-Olsen made his first MLS start in the loss.
The Fire stay on the road next Saturday at Atlanta United. Postseason play starts Nov. 18 with the Wild Card round, and the league crowns its champion Dec. 18.
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