Puso Dithejane stars as Chicago Fire unveil 2026 third kit

Chicago Fire have unveiled their new 2026 third kit, with South African forward Puso Dithejane among the players chosen to model the eye-catching design.

The launch came just hours before Dithejane played a decisive role in helping Chicago Fire progress to the quarter-finals of the Leagues Cup. The South African scored twice in a 2-1 victory over Cruz Azul in the early hours of Friday, making him the standout figure as his side secured their place in the last eight.

Dithejane’s involvement in the kit campaign adds to a memorable period for the player, who appears to have been one of a small group of Chicago Fire players selected for the official photoshoot.

The new strip is part of the 2026 MLS Archive Collection, a league-wide adidas project in which every Major League Soccer club released a retro-inspired kit. Chicago Fire’s design is understood to draw inspiration from the club’s away shirt from the 2000 MLS season.

The club described the strip as a modern interpretation of details associated with its early years, combining the look of the past with a contemporary design.

“This special-edition kit intentionally honours and reimagines details from the Club’s resilient and ambitious founding era,” said Dan Moriarty, Chief Marketing Officer at Chicago Fire FC.

“As the Fire continue taking historic steps forward, the design reflects those same standards through a fresh look. We are proud to wear the Chicago name front and center as a clear expression of our continued commitment to the city we represent.”

The kit will make its first appearance in a competitive match when Dithejane and his team-mates wear it against Portland Timbers on Monday, 17 August.

That fixture will give Dithejane the opportunity to debut the strip on the pitch after featuring prominently in its promotional launch. His appearance follows a particularly important contribution for Chicago Fire, with his brace against Cruz Azul helping the club reach the quarter-finals of the Leagues Cup.

The design places the Chicago name prominently at the centre, reflecting the club’s stated intention to link its current identity with the ambition of its founding era. While the collection is rooted in historic MLS styles, the third kit has been presented as a fresh version of the look rather than a direct reproduction of the 2000 away shirt.

For Chicago Fire, the release provides a visual connection with the club’s past at a time when Dithejane’s performances are helping shape the team’s present campaign. The South African’s two goals against Cruz Azul ensured that the kit launch was followed by a significant result, with the club moving into the next round of the Leagues Cup.

Chicago Fire’s meeting with Portland Timbers on 17 August will therefore mark both the public debut of the new strip and Dithejane’s first match appearance in it.