ESSENTIAL FACTS
Last year in a sentence: No team in the history of MLS drew more games in a single season.
Offseason in a sentence: Chicago head coach and director of soccer Frank Yallop ripped apart his roster after all of those ties and signed three Designated Players in a bid to avoid the same fate in 2015.
(as of February 23)
Incoming: David Accam (Helsingborgs/Sweden), Adailton (Bahia/Brazil), Jon Busch (San Jose Earthquakes), Patrick Doody (Indiana/Homegrown), Eric Gehrig (Columbus Crew SC via Orlando City), Guly do Prado (free transfer), Kennedy Igboananike (AIK/Sweden), Joevin Jones (W Connection/Trinidad & Tobago), Shaun Maloney (Wigan/England), Matt Polster (SIU-Edwardsville/SuperDraft), Michael Stephens (Stabæk/Norway)
Outgoing: Juan Luis Anangano (Leones Negroes/Mexico), Robert Earnshaw (contract declined), Matt Fondy (option declined), Marco Franco (option declined), Patrick Ianni (retired), Benji Joya (loan expired), Hunter Jumper (option declined), Steven Kinney (option declined), Sanna Nyassi (San Jose Earthquakes), Logan Pause (retired), Victor Pineda (out of contract), Kyle Reynish (New York Red Bulls), Gonzalo Segares (retired), Florent Sinama-Pongolle (option declined), Bakary Soumaré (Montréal Impact), Grant Ward (loan return to Tottenham Hotspur)
Scotland midfielder Shaun Maloney is expected to shoulder most of the creative burden in Bridgeview this season.
FUNDAMENTALS
Key player: Yallop spent considerable time and energy trying to persuade Shaun Maloney to leave Wigan Athletic in January. Those efforts enticed the Scotland international midfielder schemer to swap the Championship for MLS. The former Celtic star assumed the primary creative duties from the moment he signed. If he conjures chances for the bevy of fleet and mobile options around him, then the Fire stand in good stead.
Philosophy: This revamped group remains a work in progress, but the emphasis here falls squarely upon breaking quickly and relying on the pace in the wide areas and up front to unlock teams. Yallop often plumps for 4-4-2, but the pieces and the preseason fixtures indicate 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 is more likely the choice heading into this season.
Strengths: The decision to splash the cash on David Accam and Kennedy Igboananike gives the Fire plenty of pace and versatility in the front four heading into the campaign with Quincy Amarikwa still in the fold. Maloney contributes plenty of ingenuity, while Harry Shipp supplies more of it from one of the midfield berths. The decision to bring Jon Busch back for a second spell leaves the goalkeeping department well stocked when Sean Johnson joins up with the U.S. national team.
Weaknesses: Even with a series of resolute preseason displays, there are considerable questions about the state of the back four. The fullback areas remain a potential concern, while the central defense -- likely comprised of the able and willing Jeff Larentowicz and winter signing Adailton with former Columbus defender Eric Gehrig in reserve -- needs further reinforcement. If Larentowicz features in defense instead of his natural berth in the engine room, then the midfield appears a bit lightweight without the heft he usually affords. Depth is a particular issue in the central midfield department, too.
Former AIK forward Kennedy Igboananike must settle quickly in order to ward off potential threats to his expected place up front.
KEY QUESTIONS
* Will Accam and Igboananike adapt quickly to MLS? Maloney should transition rather easily given his experience in the Championship and the Scottish Premier League. The same sentiment does not apply for the other two significant signings during the winter. Accam and Igboananike boast the talent to make an impact in MLS, but they must tailor their approaches accordingly to ensure they make their mark. Former Southampton forward Guly do Prado presents a more traditional target option if they falter.
* Where does Mike Magee fit into the picture? The former MLS MVP endured a difficult 2014 after signing a new contract with his hometown team. The recent acquisitions -- plus the presence of returning standouts Amarikwa and Shipp -- leave Magee with an uncertain place in the fold once he returns to full fitness. He must contribute regularly in order to justify his considerable budget number and ward off the possibility of an unwanted trade elsewhere.
Best-case scenario: The grand experiment comes off without a hitch. Maloney locates space with regularity and provides consistent supply to his swift colleagues. The incisive work on the break hides possible issues in possession, masks any defensive frailties and powers a genuine push toward the postseason.
Worst-case scenario: All of the changes leave the Fire without the firm foundation necessary to mount a playoff push. The defense crumbles. The midfield folds in the face of stern examination. Maloney struggles to find the game. Accam and Igboananike stumble out of the gate and never recover. Tough questions crop up about the direction of this latest overhaul and the remedial measures required to slide the team back on track.
