Chicago Fire FC: Restructuring and Hope for 2025

A Season of Overhaul

Chicago Fire FC enters the 2025 MLS season following a disappointing campaign. The team finished with the second-worst record in the league, only ahead of the San Jose Earthquakes. With just seven wins and 18 losses in 34 matches, significant changes were inevitable.

Gregg Berhalter: Leading a New Coaching Staff

Gregg Berhalter was appointed head coach and technical director at the end of the 2024 season. He now leads the first team while also overseeing the club’s second team, Chicago Fire II, and its youth academy.

Berhalter managed the U.S. Men’s National Team from 2019 to July 2024, guiding the squad through major tournaments, including the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 Copa América. Under his leadership, the U.S. won the Gold Cup and two CONCACAF Nations League titles.

Beyond Berhalter, the club brought in four additional staff members and a director of methodology. Filipe Celikkaya, Tom Heinemann, and Héctor Jiménez joined as assistant coaches, while Joe Bendik was appointed as the goalkeeping assistant. Vincent Cavin, with extensive experience in the U.S. and Europe, was named director of methodology.

Key Signings: Bamba and Zinckernagel

On the field, the arrivals of Jonathan Bamba and Philipp Zinckernagel could make an impact.

Bamba has played 338 matches across various European competitions, including top leagues in France, Belgium, and Spain, as well as the Champions League and Europa League. Before joining Chicago, he was with LaLiga’s Celta de Vigo.

Zinckernagel brings over 400 career appearances, tallying 83 goals and 80 assists. In the 2023-24 season, he played 44 matches for Club Brugge, scoring seven goals and providing nine assists. His contributions helped Brugge win the Belgian Championship and reach the Conference League semifinals.

These signings provide much-needed support for Hugo Cuypers. The Belgian forward scored ten goals in 31 matches last season but often found himself isolated in a struggling attack.

A Promising Preseason

While it’s too early to predict the season’s outcome, the preseason performances offer some optimism.

Chicago Fire displayed a structured approach, focusing on ball possession and controlled buildup play. The team also utilized wingers aggressively in the final third. Across five preseason matches, they recorded two wins, two losses, and a draw, conceding only three goals. Their most notable result was a 5-1 victory over San Jose, with Bamba scoring twice.

The team concludes its preseason this Saturday against reigning MLS champions LA Galaxy at the Coachella Valley Invitational. Chicago Fire will then open the MLS season on February 22 against Columbus Crew at Lower.com Field.

Cover Image: Chicago Fire / X

Post originally published in Portuguese.