Chicago Fire head coach Gregg Berhalter believes his side have a great chance to build for the future after qualifying for the playoffs.

The Fire will face the Philadelphia Union in the first round after defeating Orlando City 3-1 in the Wild Card game on Wednesday.

Hugo Cuypers scored twice in the win, with Brian Gutierrez scoring the other, in what was Chicago's first postseason match since 2017.

Berhalter hopes the club can continue their progression in the playoffs and into the 2026 season after winning in front of an electric atmosphere at Soldier Field against Orlando.

"That's our aim. We know it is not going to be done overnight. We want to put our product on the field," said Berhalter after the win.

"Be a type of club that Chicago can admire. We hope that people come to the stadium and watch us play. And that we build excitement across the city.

"I have lived here for six years, and I know how big of a sports city Chicago is. You see this type of atmosphere, think about that multiplying, getting more and more and gaining even more momentum. It would be great for the club and the team."

Philadelphia won the 2025 Supporters' Shield after finishing first in the Eastern Conference, but they lost 2-0 to Charlotte FC on Decision Day.

The Union won both their regular-season games against the Fire, 4-0 at home and 1-0 away, but Berhalter believes things cannot get much worse against their counterparts.

"Philly was the best team in the league this year, indicated by the Supporters' Shield," he added.

"A very good team. I think they kicked our butt the first two times we played them, so I think we can all better that. We can't do worse."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Philadelphia Union – Kai Wagner

Kai Wagner led the Union with 11 assists this season after posting 13 assists in 2024 and 15 in 2022.

Wagner is the first defender in MLS history to record three different seasons with at least 10 assists.

Chicago Fire – Hugo Cuypers

Cuypers scored two of Chicago's three goals in their win over Orlando on Wednesday, becoming the third player in Fire history, and first since Ante Razov in 2002, to score multiple goals in a postseason match.

The Belgian forward has scored 19 goals in 2025, the joint-eighth most in the league this season.

MATCH PREDICTION – PHILADELPHIA UNION WIN

Philadelphia won the Supporters' Shield for the second time in club history (2020) with 66 points, the fewest by any Shield winner in a full season since FC Dallas (60) in 2016.

The Union are unbeaten in 18 straight home matches in all competitions (W13 D5), last losing at Subaru Park in March.

This will be the first playoff meeting between Philadelphia and Chicago. The Union are unbeaten in 14 straight home matches against the Fire in all competitions (W10 D4), with Chicago's last road win in Philadelphia coming in August 2013.

Chicago recorded their first playoff victory since 2009 on Wednesday. The Fire have not won a road playoff game in nearly 20 years, since a 4-0 victory at D.C. United in the second leg of the 2005 conference semifinals.

In their last six league matches, Philadelphia have won four and lost two. Chicago, meanwhile, have won four and drawn two in their last six.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Philadelphia Union – 54.6%

Draw – 23.4%

Chicago Fire – 22.1%