Chicago Fire head coach Gregg Berhalter believes "there's a ton of potential" in Puso Dithejane as he praised the forward's recent form.

The Fire qualified for the quarter-finals of the Leagues Cup with a 2-1 win over Cruz Azul, courtesy of a brace from Dithejane.

The 22-year-old has scored once and assisted once in three MLS games in 2026, including a goal in a 3-2 defeat to Inter Miami, in their first game back from the World Cup break.

Chicago, who are fourth in the Eastern Conference, have now won four consecutive matches across competitions ahead of a home matchup with the Portland Timbers.

And Dithejane could be in for another start after catching the eye of Berhalter.

"We see it every day in training, we see what he does," Berhalter said of the winger.

"When we came back from the World Cup break, we had a chance to go home, and we played a couple of friendly games and we’re training, and every day he’s scoring goals.

"He’s a dynamic player and gets in good spots. He still needs to develop and still has got a long way to go, but there’s a ton of potential in him and I'm happy for him.

"He was the coach’s man of the match [against Cruz Azul]."

The Timbers are also in strong form, going unbeaten in their four MLS games since returning from the World Cup break (W3 D1).

Portland also won two of their three Leagues Cup matches, but it was not enough to reach the last eight of the competition.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Chicago Fire – Philip Zinckernagel

In Chicago’s win over Charlotte FC, Zinckernagel registered his 20th regular-season game with at least one assist since the start of last season.

He is one of three players to record at least 20 regular-season matches with an assist during that time, along with Carles Gil (20) and Anders Dreyer (21).

Portland Timbers – Kevin Kelsy

Kelsy has scored in three straight regular-season matches, the first Timbers player to do so since Jonathan Rodríguez in 2024.

Only three Portland players have scored in four or more consecutive MLS games in a single regular season – Diego Valeri (streaks of nine and four), Brian Fernandez and Felipe Mora.

MATCH PREDICTION – CHICAGO FIRE WIN

Five of Chicago’s nine league wins this season have come by a single goal, including their 2–1 home victory against Charlotte on August 1.

Only three teams have more victories by exactly one goal in MLS play this season (Houston Dynamo, Nashville SC, New England Revolution – six apiece).

Despite being favourites, Chicago have just one win in 11 regular-season meetings with Portland (D5 L5), but that came in the last meeting in June 2023, a 2-1 road success for the Fire.

The Timbers and Fire have drawn three straight meetings in Illinois, with the lone non-draw coming in Portland’s inaugural MLS season in 2011 – a 1–0 Portland win.

Portland have earned back-to-back wins in league play for the first time since May and June 2025. The Timbers have not won three straight regular-season games since a three-game streak in June 2024.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Chicago Fire – 61.1%

Draw – 19.3%

Portland Timbers – 19.6%