Ben Olsen believes his Houston Dynamo team will be a different proposition for their MLS opposition in 2026 after a strong offseason ahead of the new campaign. 

After winning just nine of their 34 regular-season matches in 2025, the Dynamo finished 12th in the Western Conference, four points adrift of the playoff places. 

Indeed, it was the first time since 2022 that they had failed to qualify for the postseason, though Olsen is confident that his team are better prepared this time around. 

They have strengthened with the additions of Mateusz Bogusz, as well as Brazilian trio, Guilherme, Felipe Andrade, and Lucas Halter, and the Houston boss is looking forward to welcoming the Chicago Fire to Shell Energy Stadium for their season opener this weekend. 

"I think we're coming out of a year when we were incomplete," Olsen said. "Where we were last year to the team we have right now, there is definitely a massive difference. 

"That is in terms of personality, experience and talent, particularly at the offensive end, which is very exciting. We've had some pretty good teams since I have been here. 

"But what I like at this moment is that we are a competitive group. There has been a lot of time, effort and money in the offseason to get this team back where they want to be."

But Chicago will head into this clash with confidence, having ended a playoff drought that dated back to 2017 last term with an eighth-place finish in the Eastern Conference.

Gregg Berhalter also steered the club to their first postseason win since 2009 after beating Orlando City SC 3-0, before crashing out in the next round to the Philadelphia Union. 

This season marks their second under the former United States national team boss, and Berhalter acknowledged the difficulty of the upcoming MLS schedule.

He added that the Fire's focus is on having a strong season to position themselves to win a championship, and not trying to win a trophy in February.

"We want to be well-positioned as we go into the playoffs, to be able to win playoff series and keep moving," Berhalter said.

"It's easier said than done, but what I'd say is the group understands the expectations.

"We've added quality to this group, we've added experience to this group, so we're hoping to be better."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Houston Dynamo – Ezequiel Ponce

Ezequiel Ponce scored a team-high 10 goals for the Houston Dynamo during the 2025 regular season, and he will be the key to a successful start to the club's new campaign.

He is the seventh different player to lead the Dynamo in scoring over the last seven regular seasons, with Mauro Manotas (2018, 2019) the last player to do so consecutively.

Chicago Fire – Philip Zinckernagel

Philip Zinckernagel recorded 15 goals and 15 assists for the Fire in 2025, with his 30 goal contributions the most in a season in club history.

He is one of eight players in MLS history to record 15 goals and 15 assists in a season, including one of three (Anders Dreyer, Lionel Messi) to do so last season.

MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW

Houston have lost only one of their last 12 home matches against Chicago (W7 D4) dating back to 2008, a 1-0 defeat in August 2019. This will, however, be the Fire's first visit to Shell Energy Stadium since June 2022.

The Dynamo will open their season at home for the 13th time in the last 14 MLS seasons, dating back to 2013. Houston's only loss in the previous 13 times they hosted their season opener was a 2-1 defeat to FC Dallas to begin last season.

Chicago, meanwhile, are winless in an MLS-record 16 straight season-opening matches (D7 L9) dating back to 2010. The Fire's last season-opening win came in Texas, a 3-1 win at Dallas to open the 2009 campaign.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Houston Dynamo – 36.9%

Draw – 26.3%

Chicago Fire – 36.8%