SEPTEMBER 12 • AZCENTRAL.COM
RAFAEL CZICHOS DEFENDER - NO TEAM
DEFENDER - NO TEAM
Phoenix Rising FC's Rafael Czichos accepted veteran leadership role with club Meet Phoenix Rising FC defender Rafael Czichos, who has played soccer in Europe and the U.S.
Eligible to re-draft Czichos is out of contract with Chicago and will be eligible for the 2024 MLS Re-Entry Draft.
Impact Czichos completed another successful season with Chicago, keeping a starting role for the third campaign in a row. He was able to start 26 times in 28 appearances in 2024, making 83 clearances, 58 tackles and 35 interceptions while scoring once with two assists. With the defender set to enter the re-draft, he will likely be one of the first picks following his track record in the league.
OCTOBER 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
In starting XI Saturday Czichos (leg) has been included in the starting lineup for Saturday's game versus Toronto.
Impact Czichos had been heavily involved in 25 MLS matches before missing four contests due to the problem. The defender could now be trusted for his averages of 3.2 clearances and 2.1 tackles per game if he's fit enough for 90 minutes of play.
SEPTEMBER 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Trains with group Czichos (leg) trained with the group Friday and could be an option to face Toronto on Saturday, Joe Chatz of On Tap Sports reports.
Impact Czichos has been a regular for the Fire and has been part of the XI in all but one of his 25 appearances this season, but a nagging injury has kept him sidelined for the last four games. His recent involvement in training suggests he could make his return to the field Saturday with only three games left in Chicago's schedule for the 2024 MLS regular season.
SEPTEMBER 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Works on side Czichos (undisclosed) warmed up with the group before working on the side, according to Joe Chatz of On Tap Sports Net.
Impact Czichos has made his first steps toward a return after going down in warmups last match, as he trained to the side Tuesday. However, this will likely leave him out for Wednesday's match, not having enough time to return to full team training. His next chance to return will be against Montreal on Saturday.
SEPTEMBER 17, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Injured in warmups Czichos has picked up a last-minute injury and is now ruled out of Saturday's meeting with New York Red Bulls.
Impact Czichos was expected to return from a one-game suspension but succumbed to an undisclosed issue before kickoff. Thus, his place has been taken by Wyatt Omsberg, who had also played in the previous match. The veteran defender will remain questionable for upcoming fixtures as he hopes to avoid a major problem.
SEPTEMBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
No longer suspended Czichos served his suspension against D.C. United and is no longer banned.
Impact Czichos is once again eligible for play and can take the field Saturday to face the Red Bulls after serving his suspension. He has been their primary defender this campaign and is likely to start now that he is no longer banned, starting in 24 of his 25 appearances this season.
SEPTEMBER 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Set for one-game suspension Czichos (suspension) registered two tackles (one won), one clearance and six interceptions in Saturday's 4-1 loss to Inter Miami CF. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the...
Impact Losing Czichos is perhaps the worst thing that could happen to the Fire from a defensive point of view, as the veteran center-back is the absolute leader of the defensive line. Expect Wyatt Omsberg to emerge as a potential replacement option, though Arnaud Souquet could also be an alternative.
SEPTEMBER 2, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Scores Chicago's lone goal Czichos scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) in Saturday's 2-1 defeat against Inter Miami CF.
Impact Czichos registered his first goal of the season Saturday, finding the net in the 73rd minute for the club's only goal of the match. This gives him three goal contributions on the season, also having two assists. He was also solid in the defense, notching one interception, two tackles won and five clearances despite the loss.
JULY 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Credited with assist Czichos assisted once to go with two shots (one on goal), one cross (zero accurate) and two chances created in Wednesday's 4-3 victory against Philadelphia Union.
Impact Czichos went into the opposing box to fight for a cross late in the second half, and his deflection allowed Gaston Gimenez to score with a stunning volley. Czichos is a huge threat in the air and has value in set-piece situations, but the veteran defender earns most of his value via defensive stats.
JULY 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Quiet in win Czichos registered one cross (zero accurate) and one chance created in Saturday's 2-1 win over Los Angeles Galaxy.
Impact Czichos has started five times in the last six matches, recording 20 clearances with 10 tackles in that span. This gives him an average of about 3.2 clearances and two tackles per game while also assisting once in 17 appearances, 16 of them coming as starts.
JUNE 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Helps Chicago to clean sheet Czichos blocked a shot, made a tackle and three clearances during Saturday's 0-0 draw with New York Red Bulls.
Impact Czichos was a part of the Chicago back four that kept a clean sheet Saturday leading the team in blocks and clearances. The defender has made six tackles, seven clearances and two blocks over his last three starts with Saturday's clean sheet being his first of the season.
APRIL 13, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Sets up goal against Montreal Czichos assisted once to go with one shot (one on goal) and two chances created in Saturday's 4-3 win over CF Montreal.
Impact Czichos assisted Maren Haile-Selassie in the first half stoppage time. Czichos also made a tackle, a clearance and an interception. He has accumulated 14 clearances, seven tackles and two interceptions in the opening four games this season.
MARCH 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Leads Chicago in clearances Czichos made a tackle and six clearances during Saturday's 2-2 draw with Philadelphia.
Impact Czichos was a part of the Fire back line that conceded twice Saturday, leading the team with six clearances. The defender started in 28 of his 32 appearances last year helping Chicago keep seven clean sheets and making 100 clearances.
FEBRUARY 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Finishes year as starter Czichos finished the 2023 season making 28 starts in 32 appearances with the Chicago Fire.
Impact Czichos completed his second season in the MLS as a starting center back. He scored two goals while generating 100 clearances and 49 tackles (35 won). This also equaled to about 3.1 clearances per game while also finishing as one of the top defenders in the league.
NOVEMBER 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Wins two tackles Czichos had two tackles (two won) in Sunday's 2-0 defeat versus Charlotte FC.
Impact Czichos is averaging about 3.1 clearances per match with 15 in the last eight games. He's also logged in 10 tackles (seven won) and four blocks in that span.
OCTOBER 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Available off bench Czichos (upper leg) is on the bench for Saturday's clash with RBNY.
Impact Czichos is available off the bench after clearing his questionable tag. The defender wasn't deemed fit enough for the start but could come on if Wyatt Omsberg or Carlos Teran are forced off the pitch.
SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Questionable again Czichos (upper leg) was not in training Tuesday and is listed as questionable for Saturday's match against the Red Bulls, per Joe Chatz of On Tap Sports Net.
Impact Czichos earns another questionable tag as he did not train yet again as he continues to deal with an upper leg injury. Wyatt Omsberg and Carlos Teran are the expected pair to lineup at center back if the defender is not fit to play again.
SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Questionable against Revs Czichos is questionable to play Saturday against New England due to a left upper leg injury, Joe Chatz of On Tap Sports Net reports.
Impact Czichos left the game in the first half and was eventually withdrawn during halftime, and his potential absence would weaken the defensive line even more, since Arnaud Souquet (suspension) and Mauricio Pineda (leg) have already been ruled out. If Czichos can't go, then Wyatt Omsberg and Carlos Teran would likely form the center-back pairing.
SEPTEMBER 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Available for selection Czichos is available for Saturday's trip to LA Galaxy after serving a one-match ban.
Impact Czichos picked up the ban before the Leagues Cup break and is now eligible for selections once more. When fit Czichos is the first choice center-back and should be in line for a starting role during Saturday's trip to LA Galaxy.
AUGUST 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Picks up suspension Czichos was handed a one-match ban due to yellow card accumulation.
Impact Czichos will miss an Aug. 20 clash with Orlando after picking up a yellow card during a 1-0 win over Toronto. The center-back saw yellows in the final two matches before the Leagues Cup break and will now be set for a one-match ban. Wyatt Omsberg could get the start with Czichos on the sideline.
JULY 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Ten clearances during clean sheet Czichos had 10 clearances and one interception in Sunday's 1-0 win over Nashville SC.
Impact Promisingly, the Fire have logged two clean sheets across their last three games. Czichos played a big part in both sheets, having logged 15 clearances. He will look to continue helping the Fire keep that momentum going steadily until mid-July, when they are scheduled to take a month-long hiatus will end in late-August.
JULY 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Busy defensively versus Sporting KC Czichos had one shot on goal, made three tackles (one won), five clearances and three interceptions, helped his side to keep a clean sheet and was shown a yellow card during Saturd...
Impact Czichos put another solid performance at the heart of the defense for Chicago, contributing in almost every category and being a huge factor for his side to shut the opposition down. With seven tackles, 14 clearances, 10 interceptions and three blocks over his last three contests, the center back is right now one of his team's most reliable fantasy performers.
JUNE 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Scores goal as substitute vs. STL Czichos scored a goal and made nine clearances in Saturday's 1-0 victory against St. Louis City SC. He also won one of one tackles in the match.
Impact Czichos replaced an injured Carlos Teran (upper leg) in the first half of Saturday's match, and he headed in the winning goal from a Xherdan Shaqiri free kick just minutes later. He should be fit enough to return to the XI in central defense by midweek.
MAY 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
On bench against STL Czichos (undisclosed) is in Chicago's match day squad for Saturday's clash against St. Louis City SC.
Impact Czichos is back in the squad Saturday after suffering an injury in last weekend's defeat against Nashville. He starts on the bench while Carlos Teran and Mauricio Pineda line up in central defense.
MAY 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
