There are no more perfect teams in Major League Soccer after Chicago Fire FC<\/a> dealt Vancouver Whitecaps FC<\/a> their first loss of the season Saturday night with a 3-1 decision<\/a> at BC Place.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Hugo Cuypers<\/a> continued his torrid scoring streak, while Philip Zinckernagel<\/a> and Rominigue Kouam\u00e9<\/a> opened their accounts to lead Chicago to their third straight win \u2013 all coming on the road.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The convincing result pushed Gregg Berhalter’s side to fifth place in the Eastern Conference, with 10 points and a +3 goal differential.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is the first time in 16 years that the club has won three games in a row,” Berhalter told reporters after the match. “And it says a lot about this group and their mindset.”<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Zinckernagel and Kouam\u00e9 are now off and running, scoring their first goals of the season after joining a revitalized Chicago side over the winter.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was exciting. He has waited a long time to make his debut,\u201d Berhalter said of Kouam\u00e9, who joined Chicago from Spanish side C\u00e1diz on loan. \u201cHe\u2019s had a long road to get to this point, and he certainly made an impact today.\u201d<\/p>\n Zinckernagel, who arrived from Belgian side Club Brugge, also received praise from his manager.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was the coaches\u2019 man of the match for his contributions,” Berhalter said. “We know what Philip can do \u2013 he\u2019s an outstanding player.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Cuypers, meanwhile, has found his groove. The club-record signing already has five goals in the last four matches \u2013 a much-improved rate compared to his debut 2024 campaign, when he finished with 10 goals across 31 matches.<\/p>\n This newfound form has Cuypers just one goal behind the Philadelphia Union<\/a>‘s Tai Baribo<\/a> in the Golden Boot presented by Audi race.<\/p>\n “Hugo is the man on the spot. If we can provide him service, he finishes very calmly and collected,” said Berhalter.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n That’s OUR Berhalter ???? #cf97<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/w2htj9rqKc<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Chicago Fire FC (@ChicagoFire) March 23, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n Saturday’s match marked just the second time in league history that a head coach, Gregg Berhalter, faced off against his son, Sebastian<\/a>.<\/p>\n “Every time there was a set piece, I held my breath \u2013 he puts in some good balls. It\u2019s kind of annoying,” joked Berhalter about the experience, which turned into a family affair with many relatives in attendance.<\/p>\n “We\u2019ve got everything here \u2013 aunts, uncles, grandparents. Everyone\u2019s here. Thankfully, we [Chicago] won, so I don\u2019t have to buy dinner.”<\/p>\n The Fire return home to Soldier Field on March 29, looking to make it four straight wins against CF Montr\u00e9al<\/a> (8:30 pm ET | MLS Season Pass<\/a>).<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n <\/main><\/p>\n<\/div>\nNew guys off and running<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Leading by example<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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Berhalter derby<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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