2023 Chicago Fire FC season
Chicago Fire FC 2023 soccer season
The 2023 Chicago Fire FC season was the club's 25th year of existence, as well as their 26th in Major League Soccer . On May 8, 2023, the Fire formally fired their head coach Ezra Hendrickson and assistant coach Junior Gonzalez after the club went 2-3-5 through their first ten games. Assistant coach Frank Klopas was named interim coach for the third time in his career, following stints in 2011 (which led to him retaining the job for two more years) and 2021.[ 3] Notably, the Fire saw their largest turnout in club history on the October 4 match against Inter Miami, selling out Soldier Field with 62,124 in attendance. The Fire would ultimately miss the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season, the second longest streak in MLS history.
Current squad
Players signed as of September 10, 2023
No.
Name
Nationality
Position
Date of Birth (Age)
Previous Club
Player Notes
Goalkeepers
18
Spencer Richey
G
(1992-05-30 ) May 30, 1992 (aged 31)
Seattle Sounders FC
25
Jeff Gal
G
(1993-04-06 ) April 6, 1993 (aged 30)
Degerfors IF
34
Chris Brady
G
(2004-03-03 ) March 3, 2004 (aged 19)
Chicago Fire Academy
Homegrown
Defenders
2
Arnaud Souquet
D
(1992-02-12 ) February 12, 1992 (aged 31)
Montpellier HSC
International
3
Alonso Aceves
D
(2001-03-28 ) March 28, 2001 (aged 22)
Pachuca
International U-22
4
Carlos Terán
D
(2000-09-24 ) September 24, 2000 (aged 23)
Envigado F.C.
5
Rafael Czichos
D
(1990-05-14 ) May 14, 1990 (aged 33)
1. FC Köln
Captain International
6
Miguel Navarro
D
(1999-02-26 ) February 26, 1999 (aged 24)
Deportivo La Guaira F.C.
16
Wyatt Omsberg
D
(1995-09-21 ) September 21, 1995 (aged 28)
Minnesota United FC
22
Mauricio Pineda
D
(1997-10-17 ) October 17, 1997 (aged 26)
North Carolina Tar Heels
24
Jonathan Dean
D
(1997-05-15 ) May 15, 1997 (aged 26)
Birmingham Legion FC
27
Kendall Burks
D
(1999-10-08 ) October 8, 1999 (aged 24)
Washington Huskies
36
Justin Reynolds
D
(2004-04-08 ) April 8, 2004 (aged 19)
Chicago Fire FC II
Homegrown
Midfielders
7
Maren Haile-Selassie
M
(1999-03-13 ) March 13, 1999 (aged 24)
FC Lugano
InternationalLoaned In
10
Xherdan Shaqiri
M
(1991-10-10 ) October 10, 1991 (aged 32)
Olympique Lyonnais
Designated Player International
17
Brian Gutiérrez
M
(2003-06-17 ) June 17, 2003 (aged 20)
Chicago Fire Academy
Homegrown
21
Fabian Herbers
M
(1993-08-17 ) August 17, 1993 (aged 30)
Philadelphia Union
26
Ousmane Doumbia
M
(1992-05-21 ) May 21, 1992 (aged 31)
FC Lugano
InternationalLoaned In Designated Player
30
Gastón Giménez
M
(1991-07-27 ) July 27, 1991 (aged 32)
Vélez Sarsfield
31
Federico Navarro
M
(2000-03-09 ) March 9, 2000 (aged 23)
Talleres de Cordoba
International U-22 Initiative
35
Sergio Oregel
M
(2005-05-16 ) May 16, 2005 (aged 18)
Chicago Fire Academy
Homegrown
37
Javier Casas
M
(2003-05-14 ) May 14, 2003 (aged 20)
Chicago Fire Academy
Homegrown
38
Alex Monis
M
(2003-03-20 ) March 20, 2003 (aged 20)
Chicago Fire Academy
HomegrownLoaned Out
39
Allan Rodriguez
M
(2004-05-27 ) May 27, 2004 (aged 19)
Chicago Fire Academy
HomegrownLoaned Out
Forwards
8
Chris Mueller
F
(1996-08-29 ) August 29, 1996 (aged 27)
Hibernian F.C.
11
Kacper Przybyłko
F
(1993-03-25 ) March 25, 1993 (aged 30)
Philadelphia Union
19
Georgios Koutsias
F
(2004-02-08 ) February 8, 2004 (aged 19)
PAOK FC
International U-22
20
Jairo Torres
F
(2000-07-05 ) July 5, 2000 (aged 23)
Atlas F.C.
International Young DP
23
Kei Kamara
F
(1984-09-01 ) September 1, 1984 (aged 39)
CF Montréal
32
Missael Rodriguez
F
(2003-02-09 ) February 9, 2003 (aged 20)
Chicago Fire Academy
Homegrown
33
Victor Bezerra
F
(2000-02-05 ) February 5, 2000 (aged 23)
Indiana Hoosiers
Homegrown
Player movement
Returning, options, and new contracts
Date
Player
Position
Notes
Ref
October 31, 2022
Kendall Burks
D
Option for 2023 exercised
[ 4]
October 31, 2022
Wyatt Omsberg
D
Option for 2023 exercised
[ 4]
April 29, 2023
Carlos Terán
D
Signed a new contract through 2026 with an option for 2027
[ 5]
May 24, 2023
Mauricio Pineda
D
Signed a new contract through 2026 with an option for 2027
[ 6]
In
Loaned In
Out
Loaned out
Player
Position
Movement
Notes
Ref
Allan Rodriguez
MF
Sent to Fire II
Was not listed in the Fire's official app roster, and did not participate in preseason with the first team.
Charlie Ostrem
DF
Loaned to the first team
Signed to a short-term loan for the June 3 game against Cincinnati and then again for the June 21 match against Portland
[ 21] [ 22]
Additionally, Fire II defender Charlie Ostrem and goalkeeper Mihajlo Mišković trained with the Fire during preseason.
Technical staff
Competitions
Major League Soccer
Eastern Conference table
Source:
MLS Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) fewer disciplinary points; 6) away goal differential; 7) away goals scored; 8) home goals differential; 9) home goals scored; 10) coin toss (2 clubs tied) or drawing of lots (≥3 clubs tied)
Overall table
Source:
MLS Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) fewer disciplinary points; 6) away goal differential; 7) away goals scored; 8) home goals differential; 9) home goals scored; 10) coin toss (2 clubs tied) or drawing of lots (≥3 clubs tied)
Results summary
Overall
Home
Away
Pld
Pts
W
L
T
GF
GA
GD
W
L
T
GF
GA
GD
W
L
T
GF
GA
GD
34
39
10
15
9
39
51
−12
6
5
6
26
22
+4
4
10
3
13
29
−16
Last updated: October 21
Source: MLSsoccer.com standings
Pld = Matches played; Pts = Points; W = Matches won; T = Matches tied; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GD = Goal difference
Match results
Preseason
Regular season
Leagues Cup
Central 2
U.S. Open Cup
Statistics
Note: italics indicates a player who left during the season
Games played
Goalkeeping
Goals
Assists
Disciplinary record
Awards
Man of the Match awards
Game #
Player
Stats
Reference
1
Fabian Herbers
1 goal
[ 25]
2
None awarded
3
Chris Mueller
1 goal
[ 26]
4
Carlos Terán (1)
1 goal
[ 27]
5
Rafael Czichos
3 tackles, 16 duels won
[ 28]
6
Kei Kamara
2 goals
[ 29]
7
Maren Haile-Selassie (1)
1 goal
[ 30]
8
None awarded
9
None awarded
10
None awarded
11
Xherdan Shaqiri (1)
1 assist
[ 31]
12
None awarded
13
Maren Haile-Selassie (2)
1 goal, 1 assist
[ 32]
14
Xherdan Shaqiri (2)
1 assist
[ 33]
15
None awarded
16
None awarded
17
None awarded
18
Gastón Giménez (1)
1 assist
[ 34]
19
Chris Brady (1)
4 saves, clean sheet
[ 35]
20
Chris Brady (2)
6 saves
[ 36]
21
Chris Brady (3)
2 saves, clean sheet
[ 37]
22
Mauricio Pineda
1 tackle, 1 block, 5 recoveries
[ 38]
23
Maren Haile-Selassie (3)
2 key passes, 87.5% passing accuracy
[ 39]
24
None awarded
25
None awarded
26
None awarded
27
None awarded
28
Chris Brady (4)
4 saves
[ 40]
29
None awarded
30
Brian Gutiérrez
1 goal, 1 assist
[ 41]
31
Carlos Terán (2)
1 tackle, 6 duels won
[ 42]
32
Gastón Giménez (2)
1 assist
[ 43]
33
None awarded
34
Federico Navarro
1 tackle, 7 duels
[ 44]
MLS Team of the Matchday
MLS All-Star Game
Note: Stats are for regular and post season combined
Games played
Goalkeeping
Goals and assists
Cards
Notes
^ Draft Pick R3, P64
^ Draft Pick R3, P67
^ Draft Pick R3, P76
References
^ "Chicago Fire FC Parts Ways with Head Coach Ezra Hendrickson" . Chicago Fire FC. May 8, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2023 .
^ Kennedy, Paul (October 22, 2023). "MLS breaks attendance record" . Soccer America . Retrieved October 25, 2023 .
^ "Chicago Fire FC Parts Ways with Head Coach Ezra Hendrickson" . May 8, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2023 .
^ a b c d e "Chicago Fire FC Announces 2022 Roster Decisions" . October 31, 2022. Retrieved October 31, 2022 .
^ "Chicago Fire FC Sign Defender Carlos Terán to New Contract" . April 29, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2023 .
^ "Chicago Fire FC Sign Mauricio Pineda to New Contract" . May 24, 2023. Retrieved May 24, 2023 .
^ "Chicago Fire FC Sign Academy Product, South Loop Native Justin Reynolds to Homegrown Player Contract" . May 12, 2022. Retrieved October 9, 2022 .
^ "Chicago Fire FC Acquires French Defender Arnaud Souquet from Montpellier Hérault SC" . January 9, 2023. Retrieved January 12, 2023 .
^ "Chicago Fire FC Acquires Goalkeeper Jeff Gal" . January 11, 2023. Retrieved January 12, 2023 .
^ "Chicago Fire FC Acquires Defender Jonathan Dean" . January 12, 2023. Retrieved January 12, 2023 .
^ "Chicago Fire FC Acquires Forward Kei Kamara from CF Montréal in Exchange for $250,000 in General Allocation Money" . February 24, 2023. Retrieved February 25, 2023 .
^ "Chicago Fire FC Acquires Greek Forward Georgios Koutsias from P.A.O.K. FC" . February 28, 2023. Retrieved March 4, 2023 .
^ "Chicago Fire FC Acquire Winger Maren Haile-Selassie on Loan from FC Lugano" . December 27, 2022. Retrieved December 27, 2022 .
^ "Chicago Fire FC Acquires Mexican Defender Alonso Aceves on Loan from C.F. Pachuca" . March 15, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023 .
^ "Chicago Fire FC Acquire Midfielder Ousmane Doumbia as Designated Player" . June 28, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023 .
^ "Chicago Fire FC Agrees to Club-Record Transfer of Homegrown Goalkeeper Gabriel "Gaga" Slonina to English Premier League Club Chelsea FC" . August 2, 2022. Retrieved August 3, 2022 .
^ "Chicago Fire FC and Defender Jhon Espinoza Mutually Part Ways" . December 27, 2022. Retrieved December 27, 2022 .
^ "Chicago Fire FC and Winger Stanislav Ivanov Mutually Part Ways" . January 13, 2023. Retrieved January 13, 2023 .
^ "What Jhon Durán brings Aston Villa & what his transfer means for MLS" . January 16, 2022. Retrieved January 16, 2022 .
^ "Chicago Fire FC Loans Midfielder Alex Monis to Rio Grande Valley FC" . September 6, 2023. Retrieved September 10, 2023 .
^ "Chicago Fire FC Signs Defender Charlie Ostrem to Short-Term Loan" . June 3, 2023. Retrieved June 11, 2023 .
^ "Chicago Fire FC Signs Defender Charlie Ostrem to Short-Term Agreement" . June 21, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023 .
^ a b c "Chicago Fire FC Selects Noah Egan, Billy Hency and Wilmer Cabrera Jr. in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft Presented by adidas" . December 21, 2022. Retrieved December 22, 2022 .
^ "Chicago Fire FC Announce 2023 Preseason Training Camp Roster" . January 15, 2023. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ "MOTM goes to this stunner" . March 4, 2023. Retrieved March 4, 2023 .
^ "Mueller put in work 👏" . March 18, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2023 .
^ "an icon" . March 25, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2023 .
^ "Cap takes MOTM" . April 1, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2023 .
^ "love ya @keikamara" . April 8, 2023. Retrieved April 8, 2023 .
^ "Memorable moment for Maren 👏" . April 15, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2023 .
^ "Tonight's Man of the Match? #10. 🫡" . May 13, 2023. Retrieved May 13, 2023 .
^ "Maren of the Match 👏" . May 20, 2023. Retrieved May 24, 2023 .
^ "Another MOTM performance from #10" . May 27, 2023. Retrieved June 11, 2023 .
^ "MOTM: Gaston held it DOWN all match 👏👏" . June 22, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023 .
^ "BIIIIG NIGHT FOR @Brady00Chris👏" . June 24, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023 .
^ "Big saves from this guy tonight🧤🧤" . July 1, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023 .
^ "Well-deserved Man of the Match! 💪" . July 8, 2023. Retrieved July 8, 2023 .
^ "Mauri of the Match 👏👏" . July 12, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023 .
^ "Maren of the Match" . July 15, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023 .
^ "Unreal performance by @Brady00Chris to keep the clean sheet 💪" . September 16, 2023. Retrieved September 16, 2023 .
^ "Great performance from Guti tonight 👏 Wishing him speedy recovery" . September 23, 2023. Retrieved September 23, 2023 .
^ "Tonight's man of the match: Terán" . September 30, 2023. Retrieved September 30, 2023 .
^ "Tonight man of the match 👑 ⤵️" . October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 5, 2023 .
^ "Tonight's Man of the Match ➡️ Fede" . October 21, 2023. Retrieved October 21, 2023 .
^ "Team of the Matchday: Giorgio Chiellini, Jesús Ferreira & more step up" . March 6, 2023. Retrieved March 7, 2023 .
^ "Team of the Matchday: Columbus, Seattle & St. Louis dominate" . March 27, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2023 .
^ "Team of the Matchday: Aside from Dénis Bouanga, who shined in Matchday 7?" . April 10, 2023. Retrieved April 12, 2023 .
^ "Team of the Matchday: Rivalry Week brings out best in Kansas City, Montréal" . May 15, 2023. Retrieved May 15, 2023 .
^ "Team of the Matchday: Orlando City, St. Louis CITY make Rivalry Week statements" . May 22, 2023. Retrieved June 11, 2023 .
^ "Team of the Matchday: Insigne, Mukhtar rise above in Matchday 15" . May 29, 2023. Retrieved June 11, 2023 .
^ "Team of the Matchday: Acosta, Pulido bring the magic in Matchday 20" . June 22, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023 .
^ "Team of the Matchday: DC United, St. Louis make moves in Matchday 21" . June 26, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023 .
^ "Team of the Matchday: Seattle Sounders turn corner in Matchday 24" . July 10, 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2023 .
^ "Team of the Matchday: LAFC, Minnesota United win big in Matchday 25" . July 13, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023 .
^ "Team of the Matchday: Who stood out before MLS All-Star Week?" . July 16, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023 .
^ "Team of the Matchday: Bouanga, Gauld & more step up in Matchday 32" . September 18, 2023. Retrieved September 18, 2023 .
^ "Team of the Matchday: Red Bulls, Sporting KC make stands in Matchday 34" . September 25, 2023. Retrieved September 25, 2023 .
^ "Team of the Matchday: Five Western Conference teams clinch playoffs in Matchday 36" . October 5, 2023. Retrieved October 5, 2023 .
^ "Forward Kei Kamara Named to 2023 MLS All-Star Roster as a Commissioner's Pick" . June 27, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023 .
External links
Club Stadiums Affiliated clubs Culture Key personnel
Major honors (6)
MLS Cup (1) Supporters' Shield (1) U.S. Open Cup (4)
Major League Soccer
Seasons (28)
National teams
League competitions (Men)
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Amateur Collegiate
League competitions (Women)
Cup competitions (Men)
Cup competitions (Women) Youth competitions