Chicago Fire: 2020 Preview – Back to the Playoffs?
By Matt Coles
Offseason Summary
Squad Retention
The likes of Przemyslaw Frankowski and C.J. Sapong will once again be key for the Chicago Fire going forward in 2020, while having Francisco Calvo as their captain-in-waiting will keep their defence in check.
The experience of Johan Kappelhof and Jonathan Bornstein will be alongside the Costa Rican captain at the back, while academy products Nichola Slonina and Andre Reynolds II will chip in when needed.
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Joining their main two attackers in 2020 will be the likes of Fabian Herbers, who is now into his second season with the Fire.
Transfers & SuperDraft Picks
The Chicago Fire have seen a huge proportion of their 2019 side leave the building over the offseason, including Bastian Schweinsteiger, who announced his retirement from the professional game following Chicago’s last league game.
2017 MLS Golden Boot winner Nemanja Nikolic is out of contract following the 2019 campaign, while Nicolas Gaitan and Aleksandar Katai, two of the five men that averaged more than 7/10 for the Fire last year, had their options declined, with the Serbian midfielder finding a new home with the LA Galaxy.
Among those who also had their contracts declined by Chicago were goalkeeper David Ousted, who had lost his No.1 spot through the 2019 campaign, Costa Rican midfielder Diego Campos, and New Zealand international Elliot Collier.
Compare that long list to just five new faces that have come through the door. Mauricio Pineda ad Connor Sparrow are American recruits, signing from North Carolina Tar Heels and Nashville SC, respectively, while their two other new men come across from Europe.
Slovenian Robert Beric has made the move to the States from AS Saint-Étienne, while Spanish midfielder Álvaro Medrán has transferred to Chicago from Valencia, both with options through to the end of the 2023 term. Chicago also brought in experienced Minnesota United goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth in late January.
The Fire only selected one player the 2020 MLS SuperDraft, using the 26th overall selection to take Pacific Tigers defender Jonathan Jimenez. All in all, they still have much work to do.