Photo: Amber Searls-Imagn Images

Chicago Fire's Tom Barlow Named MLS Player of Matchday 18

Originally posted on On Tap Sports Net | By Joe Chatz | Last updated Jun 9, 2025 5:43 PM ET

The Chicago Fire’s Tom Barlow has had himself a week.

The Fire’s striker responded to his first MLS start of 2025 by netting a hat trick as Chicago dismantled D.C. United 7-1 last weekend and has now received accolades from Major League Soccer for his performance.

Barlow hat trick earned him MLS’s Player of Matchday 18, marking the first time a Fire player has won the award in 2025.

This was the first time that Barlow has scored a hat trick in Major League Soccer and his finishes against D.C. were his first goal contributions of 2025.

One of the best feeds you’ll ever see from Andrew Gutman to set up Tom Barlow’s goal #cf97 #VamosFire pic.twitter.com/xpqqRkVYAr
— Joe Chatz (@JoeChatz) June 8, 2025

Barlow is the first Fire player to win Player of the Matchday since Hugo Cuypers, whose injury gave way to Barlow’s start in D.C., on Matchday 24 of 2024 after Chicago’s comeback win over Philadelphia.

Tom Barlow brace!!! #cf97 #VamosFire pic.twitter.com/SF10aDO1k6
— Joe Chatz (@JoeChatz) June 8, 2025

Barlow was thrilled post-match with his performance on top of the Fire’s win at Audi Field.

“I'm obviously excited about the win but, yeah, it's a cool feeling,” said Barlow. “My teammates are really happy for me, coach is happy for me. So it's a neat feeling, it was fun to come in and contribute tonight. Get my first start of the year. I was excited. And then to get three goals and the win is kind of the cherry on top. [I’m just] really happy and looking forward to next week now.”

Tom Barlow hat trick. Epic #cf97 #VamosFire pic.twitter.com/faJ0GthsVW
— Joe Chatz (@JoeChatz) June 8, 2025

What’s On Tap Next?

The Fire will be at Soldier Field on June 14 when they host Nashville SC in the second match of their double header with Chicago Stars FC. The match is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+.

This article first appeared on On Tap Sports Net and was syndicated with permission.

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