Chicago Fire FC beats Vancouver Whitecaps FC in cross-conference showdown 3-1

VANCOUVER,BC (March 22,2025)

Chicago Fire FC secured their third consecutive road victory with a 3-1 win over Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BC Place in Vancouver, Canada. The Fire’s offensive surge began early with Hugo Cuypers scoring his fifth goal of the season, while both Philip Zinckernagel and Rominigue Kouamé also netted their first goals of the season. Chicago’s strong start and clinical finishing proved to be the difference in the match.

The Fire caught Vancouver off guard right after the opening whistle. Leonardo Barroso played a through ball to Zinckernagel, who crossed it to Cuypers at the far post for a goal just 52 seconds into the match. This fast-paced attack gave Chicago an early lead and put pressure on the Whitecaps, who were trailing for the first time all season. Vancouver responded quickly, equalizing in the 14th minute with a well-executed goal from Daniel Ríos, who blasted the ball into the net from a tight angle.

After the early exchanges, both teams created opportunities, but it wasn’t until the 61st minute that Chicago regained the lead. Cuypers intercepted a ball in midfield and set up Jonathan Bamba, whose cross was deflected to Zinckernagel. The Danish winger seized the opportunity, scoring the go-ahead goal by sneaking the ball through the Vancouver defense. The Whitecaps pressed for another equalizer but were unable to break down the Fire’s defense.

In stoppage time, Kouamé sealed the victory for Chicago with a goal in the 92nd minute. After entering the match late, he capitalized on a counterattack, dribbling past defenders to score the Fire’s third goal of the night. The late strike confirmed the Fire’s win, allowing them to extend their winning streak to three games and take home all three points from Vancouver.

Goals:
CHI – H. Cuypers 1’
VAN – D. Ríos 14’
CHI – P. Zinckernagel 62’
CHI – R. Kouamé 90’+5′

Discipline:
CHI – A. Gutman (Yellow Card) 43’
CHI – J. Elliot (Yellow Card) 69’
VAN – Rogers (Yellow Card) 71’

Attendance: 18,717

Stadium: BC PLACE

Location: Vancouver, Canada

Referee: Malik Badawi
Assistant Referees: 1– Lyes Arfa, 2– Kali Smith
Fourth Official: Renzo Villaneva
VAR: Michael Radchuk
AVAR: Jonathan Johnson