Houston Dynamo looks to rewrite the script after a frustrating 2025 campaign. That twelfth place finish in the West left a bitter taste but their recent 3-2 friendly victory shows plenty of spark. They clearly have the firepower to cause some real chaos this weekend.
Finding the back of the net hasn't really been the issue for Ben Olsen’s group. They scored in nine of their last ten matches which is quite impressive for a struggling side. Still, the defensive line needs to tighten up if they want actual points.
The atmosphere at Shell Energy Stadium should be intense for this opening night. Fans are desperate to see if the new signings can gel quickly. If they keep up that scoring rate, we are definitely in for a very high scoring and entertaining affair.
Chicago Fire comes into this season after a decent playoff run last year. Finishing eighth showed they can compete but that 4-3 loss to Portland recently highlighted lingering issues at the back. They are fun to watch but often give their supporters heart attacks.
Away from home, the Fire have actually been surprisingly robust lately. They found the net in eight of their last ten outings and have a weird knack for performing better on the road. It makes them a very dangerous underdog in these early fixtures.
Frank Klopas knows his defense is the primary concern right now. They often struggle to turn things around if they concede the opening goal. Checking out Free MLS Predictions might give you the edge before the ball officially starts rolling in Houston.
