Berhalter impressed with Cuypers as Chicago Fire end Vancouver´s perfect start

Hugo Cuypers continued his fine start to the MLS season as Chicago Fire handed Vancouver Whitecaps their first loss of the campaign with a 3-1 road victory.

The Belgian forward made it five goals in as many league games to start the season when he put Chicago in front after only 52 seconds on Saturday.

Daniel Rios equalised for Vancouver after 14 minutes, but the hosts’ four-match winning streak came to an end when Philip Zinckernagel put Fire back in front just after the hour mark before setting up Romenique Kouame to make sure of the points in second-half stoppage time.

Chicago came into the game having won back-to-back away matches at FC Dallas and Toronto FC, so this success means they have three straight road victories.

It is the first time they have achieved that feat in MLS since recording consecutive wins at Toronto, New York Red Bulls and Chivas USA in May 2009.

“This is the first time in 16 years that the club has won three games in a row and it says a lot about this group and their mindset,” Berhalter told reporters about the run of road wins.

Chicago are up to fifth in the Eastern Conference standings, boosted by club-record signing Cuypers’ impressive start to the campaign. He has already reached half of his 10-goal league tally from the whole of his debut campaign in 2024.

“Hugo is the man on the spot and, if we can provide him service, he finishes very calmly and collected,” Berhalter added.

Much of the build-up to the game related to this being just the second time in league history that a head coach would face off against his son, with Sebastian Berhalter playing the full match for Vancouver.

A moment they’ll never forget #cf97 pic.twitter.com/bRjPbJKz9V

— Chicago Fire FC (@ChicagoFire) March 23, 2025

“Every time there was a set piece, I held my breath — he puts in some good balls. It’s kind of annoying!” joked Gregg Berhalter about facing his son.

“Everyone is here — aunts, uncles, grandparents. Thankfully, we won, so I don’t have to buy dinner!”

Chicago hope to keep their fine form going when they host CF Montreal on March 29, which is also when Vancouver – who remain top of the Western Conference – will aim to bounce back on the road against Toronto FC.