Chicago Fire midfielder Maren Haile-Selassie emphasised the importance of winning their first home match of the 2026 MLS season when they host CF Montreal on Saturday.

The Fire lost their campaign opener 2-1 to the Houston Dynamo last time out, despite taking the lead through Hugo Cuypers.

It was a disappointing start in general for the Eastern Conference, with nine of the teams starting the season with a defeat.

Haile-Selassie believes Chicago must start their home journey this season on the front foot, especially after losing to Houston last time out.

"The home opener is special every year," Haile-Selassie told reporters.

"Just kind of like setting a tone at home, what the fans can expect of us this year. It's a very important game for us.

"You can probably say even more, now that we didn't get the result we wanted in the first game, I think it's very important that we step on the pitch looking for three points at home and also offering something good for the fans."

Haile-Selassie started the first game at left-back following injuries to Andrew Gutman and Viktor Radojevic in the Chicago defence.

The 26-year-old said he had no problem taking on the role, eager to do what he must for the team.

"Like with the injuries that we had, with the players that were missing, for example, last week, as a player you have to be ready to do what's asked of you," added Haile-Selassie.

"I think of myself as a player that is versatile, who can help the team in many positions but also not just help but also excel and play well in the position.

"Whenever the coach asks me to step in or help or whatever, I'm just trying to give my best."

Montreal became just the second team in MLS history to lose their season-opening match by five goals after a 5-0 defeat to San Diego FC on Saturday (Austin FC in 2022). 

Montreal's Tomas Aviles was sent off in his first appearance of the season for the second straight year, after being dismissed in Inter Miami's season opener in 2025.

He is the fourth player in MLS history to be sent off in his first appearance of a season twice, and the only one to do so in consecutive seasons.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Chicago Fire – Hugo Cuypers

Cuypers scored his 30th goal for the Fire (regular season and playoffs) last time out, becoming just the sixth player to reach the mark for the club.

Cuypers reached that total in his 68th match for Chicago, with only Nemanja Nikolic (46 games) and David Accam (66 games) doing so faster.

CF Montreal – Bode Hidalgo

With Aviles suspended for this fixture, Hidalgo may need to carry more of the load in the Montreal defence.

The right-back registered the most touches for his side in their defeat to San Diego (54), while he competed in the joint-most duels (eight) and attempted the most dribbles (five) of any Montreal player.

MATCH PREDICTION – CHICAGO FIRE WIN

Chicago have won three of their last six meetings with Montreal (D2 L1), including a 2-0 road win the last time the sides met, in July 2025. The Fire last recorded consecutive wins over Montreal in September 2017 and May 2018, both 1-0 victories.

However, the Fire extended their MLS record to 17 straight season openers without a win following their defeat at Houston.

Chicago have won one of their first two matches of an MLS campaign just once in the last 13 seasons, defeating Real Salt Lake 2-0 in their second match of the 2017 season.

Meanwhile, since the start of the 2022 season, Montreal have managed just one point from five matches in February (D1 L4, all away).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Chicago Fire – 60.5%

Draw – 20.7%

CF Montreal – 18.8%