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Chicago Fire: 5 bold predictions for 2020

By Adnan Bašić

BRIDGEVIEW, ILLINOIS - JULY 03: Przemysław Frankowski #11 of the Chicago Fire walks off the field after a victory over the Atlanta United FC at SeatGeek Stadium on July 03, 2019 in Bridgeview, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
BRIDGEVIEW, ILLINOIS - JULY 03: Przemysław Frankowski #11 of the Chicago Fire walks off the field after a victory over the Atlanta United FC at SeatGeek Stadium on July 03, 2019 in Bridgeview, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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Chicago Fire, Kenneth Kronholm
COLUMBUS, OH – AUGUST 31: Kenneth Kronholm #27 of Chicago Fire reacts during MLS regular season game action between the Chicago Fire and the Columbus Crew SC on August 31, 2019, at Mapfre Stadium in Columbus, OH. (Photo by Adam Lacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. An inevitable goalkeeping crisis

Ever since the Chicago Fire sent away Sean Johnson a few years ago, they have been cursed with woeful goalkeepers that somehow get worse and worse. Jorge Bava was brought in but was constantly injured during his time with the club. Matt Lampson replaced him and was a disaster. Then Richard Sanchez got a few chances but wasn’t any better. David Ousted then came in and even the MLS veteran struggled, making a few mistakes before being exiled from the squad.

Now, the Fire have Kenneth Kronholm as the starting keeper. That’s worrying as he was quite poor last season, not any better than the names that floundered before him. Bobby Shuttleworth was brought in to be the backup but he was only available because he couldn’t make it at Minnesota United. Connor Sparrow and 15-year-old Gabriel Slonina are the wildcards of the group, although neither will likely get many opportunities in the team.

Without a proven option in the team, there is a big chance that something will go wrong. Fans have gotten used to seeing plenty of rotation in goal and there’s little reason to believe that will change this season as no one seems good enough at the moment to lock down a starting spot. Chicago is taking a big risk with their current crop of goalkeepers, which will eventually cost them, just like in years past.

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