Football Season Guide

It was another year in hell for the Fire in 2024. Finished bottom of the Eastern Conference and 28th out of 29 MLS teams altogether. Expected sweeping changes followed. Lots of players left, new ones arrived, changed the head coach and the General Manager too. Chicago last played in the playoffs in 2017. They last won a playoff game way back in 2009. The hunger for post-season presence is huge and the goal is to finally get back where the team used to be in the early 00s (11 playoff appearances in 12 season between 1998 and 2009). The new head coach Gregg Berhalter returns to club football after spending the last 6 years as manager of The Stars and Stripes (USA’s men team). He expectedly revamped the squad. The big contract of Shaqiri is finally not on the books, terminated last October. Also, veterans Salquist and Czichos (both injury prone all of last season) left and freed even more cap space. Chiacgo used it to bolster their front line. Jonathan Bamba and Philip Zinckernagel arrived from Europe. Both wingers are expected to play a lot. They should provide 2nd-year MLS striker Hugo Cuypers with better service. Cuypers scored 12 goals in his 1st season at the club. Hopes are his returns will increase this year. Experienced CB Jack Elliott is a new arrival. He’s expected to be a starter in defence. Yet to be seen if youngster Leonardo Barroso (LB) can also gain a regular status. Kellyn Acosta, Rominigue Kouamé and Brian Gutiérrez will be the main figures in midfield. The Fire can still add quality to their roster. For the 1st time in 5 years Chicago have plenty of free cap space, now Shaqiri’s monstrous contract is over.