Chicago Team News - Soccer

Jonathan Dean - Ends season with four assists Dean started 21 times in time in 32 appearances (including the playoffs) during the 2025 MLS season

Impact Dean turned his season around after an early injury setback, keeping himself in the mix for a starting role with Chicago. He finished the year with one goal and four assists, while contributing 85 clearances, 44 tackles, and 36 interceptions. His 21 starts marked a personal best in his three seasons with the club, positioning him for an even bigger role in 2026 after a promising campaign in the Windy City.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Jonathan Dean - Ends season with four assists Dean started 21 times in time in 32 appearances (including the playoffs) during the 2025 MLS season

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Andrew Gutman - Starts all 37 matches Gutman started in each of the 37 MLS matches (including the playoffs) for Chicago during the 2025 season.

Impact Gutman earned Chicago's Iron Man award after starting every league match in 2025. He posted career highs with nine assists, added three goals, and contributing defensively with 66 tackles and 123 clearances. Following an injury-plagued 2024, Gutman made a strong comeback, completing his first full season with the Fire and showcasing versatility on both ends of the pitch. He remains the leading candidate for the starting left-back role next season as he will enter the final year of his contract.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Kellyn Acosta - Veteran presence left on bench Acosta made six starts in 20 MLS appearances during the 2025 MLS season.

Impact A seasoned MLS veteran, Acosta spent most of the 2025 season on the bench due to injuries and inconsistent form. He logged just 654 minutes across 20 appearances, contributing 14 interceptions and 10 clearances. Although the club holds an option for 2027, Acosta's future likely hinges unless he improves his durability and impact on the pitch in 2026.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Mauricio Pineda - 30 appearances in 2025 Pineda made 18 starts in 30 MLS appearances (including the playoffs) during the 2025 MLS season.

Impact Pineda continued in a rotational role for Chicago for the third straight season. In 2025, he registered a career-high two assists, along with 40 tackles and 18 clearances. While inconsistency limited him to a partial starting role, he still featured in the starting XI for 60 percent of his appearances. Looking ahead, Pineda enters his seventh season with Chicago, making him one of the longest-tenured players on the current roster.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Jonathan Bamba - Makes 35 starts for Chicago Bamba recorded 35 starts in 37 MLS appearances for Chicago during the 2025 MLS season (including the playoffs).

Impact Bamba proved to be one of Chicago's most reliable players in 2025, featuring in all 37 matches. In his debut MLS season, he scored six goals and provided five assists, while creating 54 chances and making 25 tackles. The winger maintained his typical goal contribution rate of 11 and brought valuable experience from his time in Spain and France. Looking ahead, Bamba is poised to build on this foundation and increase his offensive impact in 2026.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Maren Haile-Selassie - Bench specialist Haile-Salassie made six starts in 33 appearances (including the playoffs) during the 2025 MLS season.

Impact Haile-Salassie transitioned to a bench role in 2025 but remained highly productive despite limited minutes. Over 1,063 minutes of play, he recorded two goals and six assists, creating 22 chances, and contributing 17 tackles. His durability kept him valuable in the squad, though his skill level fell short of securing a regular starting spot. With his contract entering its final year, Haile-Salassie may explore opportunities elsewhere if Chicago cannot offer increased playing time in 2026.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Philip Zinckernagel - 28 goal contributions for Chicago Zinckernagel made 33 starts in 34 MLS appearances (including the playoffs) during the 2025 season.

Impact Zinckernagel emerged as Chicago's standout player this season, seamlessly adapting his European experience to MLS. Across 34 matches, he tallied 15 goals and 13 assists, averaging nearly one goal contribution per game while creating 72 chances. Serving as the team's primary set-piece specialist, he handled 151 situations and delivered 191 crosses (46 accurate). With three years remaining on his contract, Zinckernagel aims to maintain his attacking consistency for Chicago in 2026.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Hugo Cuypers - 19 goals scored in 2025 Cuypers appeared in the starting XI in all 36 MLS matches (including the playoffs Chicago during the 2025 season.

Impact Cuypers has been a standout performer for Chicago since joining in 2024, quickly establishing himself as a consistent goal scorer. In the 2025 season, he netted 19 goals and provided two assists across 36 matches, registering 46 shots on target and creating numerous chances. His contributions placed him among the league's top scorers and accounted for 35 percent of Chicago's goals. Committed to the club's future, Cuypers remains under contract for two more seasons after signing a four-year Designated Player deal in 2024.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

David Poreba - Inks contract extension Poreba reached a new agreement and will remain with Chicago through 2026 with club options for 2027 and 2028, the club announced.

Impact Poreba has yet to play his first minutes in the MLS but the club seems to have trust in his potential since he extended his contract for next season with club options for the following two. Poreba will look to convince the staff to be part of the roster of the Fire in upcoming months.

DECEMBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

Jack Elliott - Contract option exercised Elliott's option for 2026 was exercised, the club announced.

Impact Elliott will return to Chicago for the 2026 season after his option was exercised. The center-back was an undisputed starter in the backline for the Fire this season, missing only one game and contributing season highs with four goals, three assists, 35 blocks and 244 clearances. Eliott will remain a major piece of the backline heading into the new MLS season.

DECEMBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

Stay in Europe or Move to MLS? The Dilemma Surrounding Robert Lewandowski The future of Robert Lewandowski is once again at the center of the international transfer conversation. At 37, the Polish goal scorer faces...

DECEMBER 17 • BEINSPORTS.COM

Chicago Fire sign MLS NEXT Pro standout Jason Shokalook | MLSSoccer.com TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Signing Chicago Fire FC have signed forward Jason Shokalook through the 2026 MLS season with options for 2027 and 2...

DECEMBER 10 • MLSSOCCER.COM

Chicago Fire acquire South African defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi | MLSSoccer.com TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Signing Chicago Fire FC have acquired defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi from South African Premiership side Orlando Pirate...

DECEMBER 2 • MLSSOCCER.COM

Chicago Fire FC roster update: Jack Elliott option exercised | MLSSoccer.com After a strong first season under head coach and director of football Gregg Berhalter, Chicago Fire FC are poised to bring back most of thei...

NOVEMBER 26 • MLSSOCCER.COM

Omar Gonzalez - Taking on role as player/coach Gonzalez is taking a player/coach role with the Chicago Fire II, according to his club.

Impact Gonzalez is going to remain in Chicago but is no longer a member of the first team, as the defender will instead coach and play with the second team. He will now focus on developing players for the club, coaching while playing alongside them in some circumstances. This likely ends his time with the first team moving forward and potentially his playing career at a high level, now age 37, especially after only starting in three of his minimal 15 appearances this season.

NOVEMBER 26 • ROTOWIRE

Philadelphia Union vs. New York City FC Prediction, Picks, Live Odds - November 23 - Bleacher Nation Philadelphia Union and New York City FC -- both coming off wins -- will clash on Sunday in MLS. Philadelphia topped Chicago Fire last time o...

NOVEMBER 23 • BLEACHERNATION.COM

MLS owners vote to shift soccer season to a summer-to-spring calendar in 2027

Major League Soccer’s owners have voted to shift the league’s season to a summer to spring calendar in 2027, bringing it more in line with its international counterparts

NOVEMBER 13 • Associated Press

Charlotte FC sign Brandt Bronico to contract extension | MLSSoccer.com TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Extension Charlotte FC have signed midfielder Brandt Bronico to a contract extension through 2027 with an option fo...

NOVEMBER 12 • MLSSOCCER.COM

USMNT to Mexico? Chicago Fire Star Brian Gutiérrez Reportedly Open to Switch

Chicago Fire midfielder Brian Gutiérrez, who has previously had appearanes with the USMNT, is reportedly eligible to represent Mexico.

NOVEMBER 7 • FOX SPORTS

USMNT to Mexico? Chicago Fire Star Brian Gutiérrez Reportedly Open to Switch

Baribo and the Philadelphia Union host the Chicago Fire

Thai Baribo leads the Philadelphia Union into a matchup with the Chicago Fire following a two-goal showing against the Chicago Fire

NOVEMBER 7 • Associated Press

Chicago Fire season 15 episode 7 release date and time, what's next, and everything you need to know Chicago Fire season 14 unveiled episode 6 on November 5, 2025. Titled 'Broken Things', the episode brought high-risk and high-stakes moments...

NOVEMBER 6 • SPORTSKEEDA.COM

Sergio Oregel - Ban served Oregel served his one-match ban during Saturday's 3-0 loss to Philadelphia and is now eligible to open the 2026 season.

Impact Oregel finished the season on the sideline due to a suspension but is now eligible to make his return. The midfielder made 30 appearances (26 starts) throughout his first campaign with the senior team. Oregel should be a big part of the team to open 2026.

NOVEMBER 5 • ROTOWIRE

Jeff Gal - Miserable showing in loss Gal gave up three goals on nine shots (three on target) and had zero saves in Saturday's 3-0 loss versus Philadelphia.

Impact Gal and Chicago had a rough Saturday. Coming in down 1-0 in their series vs Philadelphia and needing a win, the whole team came out flat. Gal was beat twice by Tai Baribo before the match was even 20 minutes old. A third goal in the 35th minute by Bruno Damiani was all she wrote for Gal and Chicago's season.

NOVEMBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

Tai Baribo scores 2 goals, Union beats Fire 3-0 to sweep first-round series

Tai Baribo scored two early goals and the Philadelphia Union beat the Chicago Fire 3-0 to sweep the best-of-three first-round series in the MLS Cup playoffs

NOVEMBER 1 • Associated Press

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MLS owners vote to shift soccer season to a summer-to-spring calendar in 2027

USMNT to Mexico? Chicago Fire Star Brian Gutiérrez Reportedly Open to Switch

Baribo and the Philadelphia Union host the Chicago Fire

Tai Baribo scores 2 goals, Union beats Fire 3-0 to sweep first-round series