Established 1997. Reestablished 2020?
2019 Record: 10-12-12 (8th in East, 17th overall)
Head Coach: Raphael Wicky (1st season)
Key Additions: Robert Beric, Luka Stojanovic, Ignacio Aliseda, Bobby Shuttleworth, Alvaro Medran
Key Departures: Bastian Schweinsteiger, Dax McCarty, Nemanja Nikolic, Aleksandar Katai, Nico Gaitan
Chicago Fire FC’s attempt to reestablish itself is a lot like a certain bank that is trying to reestablishing itself for questionable and objectionable sales practices.
After a lost decade, the Fire are trying to reestablish themselves in Chicago in what has been a busy offseason. There is a new owner in Joe Mansueto, there is a new logo (that was not well-received especially by supporters who have been around through thick and thin), a new coach in Raphael Wicky, a new sporting director in Georg Heitz, three new Designated Players, a new local TV partner in WGN-TV, and a new old home in Soldier Field.
The Fire are an unknown quantity with fourteen players leaving after last season and 12 new players coming in including designated players Robert Beric, Luka Stojanovic, and Ignacio Aliseda—all of who are expected to boost the offense that inexplicably missed many chances to score last season. Among those who are returning include forward CJ Sapong, midfielder Djordje Mihailovic, defender Johan Kappelhof, and goalkeeper Kenneth Kronholm.
For this reestablishment, most everything needs to go right for the Fire. Suffice to say that not everything has gone right as the introduction of the new logo has shown. They have tried to channel the city’s energy as it rose from the ashes of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. In order for them to rise from the ashes of their time in Bridgeview, they have to get off on the right foot on the pitch.
