2021 Chicago Fire FC season

The 2021 Chicago Fire FC season was the club's 26th year of existence, as well as their 24th in Major League Soccer. This was the Fire's first season with fans in Soldier Field since 2005 (the Fire had officially moved in 2020, however fans were not allowed in Soldier Field due to the pandemic). The Fire would fail to qualify for the playoffs for the fourth season in a row. Head coach Raphael Wicky was ultimately relieved of his position on September 30, with Assistant Coach Frank Klopas taking over on an interim basis.[1]

Chicago Fire FC
2021 season
ChairmanJoe Mansueto
Head coachRaphaël Wicky (Until September 30); Frank Klopas (Interim since September 30)
StadiumSoldier Field
(capacity: 61,500)
MLSConference: 12th
Overall: 22nd
U.S. Open CupCanceled
Top goalscorerLeague: Robert Beric (8 goals, 3 assists)
All: Robert Beric (8 goals, 3 assists)
Highest home attendance31,308 (10/23 v. RSL)
Lowest home attendance5,593 (9/29 v. NYC)
Average home league attendance10,703
Biggest winCHI 3–0 ATL (7/3)
Biggest defeatNSH 5–1 CHI (7/17)

Current squad

As of November 1, 2021

No. Name Nationality Position Date of Birth (Age) Previous Club Player Notes
1 Bobby Shuttleworth United States G (1987-05-17)May 17, 1987 (aged 34) United States Sacramento Republic
2 Boris Sekulić Slovakia D (1991-10-21)October 21, 1991 (aged 30) Poland Górnik Zabrze International
3 Jonathan Bornstein United States D (1984-11-07)November 7, 1984 (aged 37) Israel Maccabi Netanya F.C.
4 Johan Kappelhof Netherlands D (1990-08-05)August 5, 1990 (aged 31) Netherlands FC Groningen
5 Francisco Calvo Costa Rica D (1992-07-08)July 8, 1992 (aged 29) United States Minnesota United FC
6 Miguel Navarro Venezuela D (1999-02-26)February 26, 1999 (aged 22) Venezuela Deportivo La Guaira F.C.
7 Ignacio Aliseda Argentina M (2000-03-14)March 14, 2000 (aged 21) Argentina Defensa y Justicia International
Young Designated Player
8 Luka Stojanović Serbia M (1994-01-04)January 4, 1994 (aged 27) Serbia FK Čukarički
9 Chinonso Offor Nigeria F (2000-05-07)May 7, 2000 (aged 21) Latvia FK RFS International
10 Álvaro Medrán Spain M (1994-03-15)March 15, 1994 (aged 27) Spain Valencia CF
14 Jhon Espinoza Ecuador D (1999-02-24)February 24, 1999 (aged 22) Ecuador S.D. Aucas International
18 Kenneth Kronholm United States G (1985-10-14)October 14, 1985 (aged 36) Germany Holstein Kiel
20 Wyatt Omsberg United States D (1995-09-21)September 21, 1995 (aged 26) United States Minnesota United FC
21 Fabian Herbers Germany F (1993-08-17)August 17, 1993 (aged 28) United States Philadelphia Union
22 Mauricio Pineda United States D (1997-10-17)October 17, 1997 (aged 24) United States North Carolina Tar Heels Homegrown
23 Carlos Terán Colombia D (2000-09-24)September 24, 2000 (aged 21) Colombia Envigado F.C. International
25 Nicholas Slonina United States D (2001-03-20)March 20, 2001 (aged 20) United States Chicago Fire Academy Homegrown
27 Robert Berić Slovenia F (1991-06-17)June 17, 1991 (aged 30) France AS Saint-Étienne Designated Player
28 Elliot Collier New Zealand F (1995-02-22)February 22, 1995 (aged 26) United States Loyola Chicago
30 Gastón Giménez Paraguay M (1991-07-27)July 27, 1991 (aged 30) Argentina Vélez Sarsfield International
Designated Player
31 Federico Navarro Argentina M (2000-03-09)March 9, 2000 (aged 21) Argentina Talleres de Cordoba International
U-22 Initiative
32 Gabriel Slonina United States G (2004-05-15)May 15, 2004 (aged 17) United States Chicago Fire Academy Homegrown
34 Chris Brady United States G (2004-03-03)March 3, 2004 (aged 17) United States Chicago Fire Academy Homegrown
36 Andre Reynolds II United States D (2001-05-02)May 2, 2001 (aged 20) United States Chicago Fire Academy Homegrown
On Loan
37 Javier Casas United States M (2003-05-14)May 14, 2003 (aged 18) United States Chicago Fire Academy Homegrown
38 Alex Monis United States F (2003-03-20)March 20, 2003 (aged 18) United States Chicago Fire Academy Homegrown
39 Allan Rodríguez United States M (2004-05-07)May 7, 2004 (aged 17) United States Chicago Fire Academy Homegrown
40 Brian Gutiérrez United States M (2003-06-17)June 17, 2003 (aged 18) United States Chicago Fire Academy Homegrown
99 Stanislav Ivanov Bulgaria M (1999-04-16)April 16, 1999 (aged 22) Bulgaria PFC Levski Sofia

Player movement

In

Date Player Position Previous Club Notes Ref
November 12, 2020New Zealand Elliot CollierFUnited States Chicago Fire FCOption was exercised[2]
November 12, 2020United States Djordje MihailovicMUnited States Chicago Fire FCOption was exercised[2]
November 12, 2020United States Wyatt OmsbergDUnited States Chicago Fire FCOption was exercised[2]
November 12, 2020United States Nicholas SloninaDUnited States Chicago Fire FCOption was exercised[2]
November 13, 2020Nigeria Chinonso OfforFLatvia FK RFSSigned on a contract through 2023 with an option for 2024[3]
November 23, 2020Ecuador Jhon EspinozaDEcuador S.D. AucasSigned on a contract through 2023 with options for 2024 and 2025[4]
December 9, 2020Bulgaria Stanislav IvanovMBulgaria PFC Levski SofiaSigned on a contract through 2023 with an option for 2024[5]
August 6, 2021Argentina Federico NavarroMArgentina Talleres de CordobaSigned as a U-22 Initiative player on a contract through 2025 with an option for 2026[6]

Out

Date Player Position Destination Club Notes Ref
November 12, 2020Uganda Micheal AziraMUnited States New Mexico UnitedOption was declined[2]
November 12, 2020United States Jeremiah GutjahrD/MUnited States Indy ElevenOption was declined[2]
November 12, 2020United States C. J. SapongM/FUnited States Nashville SCOption was declined[2]
November 12, 2020United States Connor SparrowGUnited States Miami FCOption was declined[2]
November 30, 2020United States Brandt BronicoMUnited States Charlotte FCOption was declined; his rights were ultimately traded to Charlotte FC alongside the Fire's 2022 Fourth Round Draft pick in exchange for Charlotte's Fourth Round Draft pick[7][8]
December 17, 2020United States Djordje MihailovicMCanada Montreal ImpactTraded to Montreal in exchange for $800k in GAM in 2021 and 2022, possibly up to $1 million, along with a percentage of any future trade[9]
August 5, 2021Poland Przemysław FrankowskiMFrance RC LensSold to RC Lens for an undisclosed fee[10]

Loaned Out

Date Player Position Destination Club Notes Ref
May 14, 2021United States Andre ReynoldsDUnited States Memphis 901 FCLoaned to Memphis for the duration of the season[11]

Unsigned Draft Picks and Trialists

Pick Player Position Previous Club Notes Ref
R2, P33United States Jackson RagenDUnited States University of MichiganUltimately signed with Tacoma Defiance[12]
R2, P47United States Christian PinzonFUnited States California State University, FullertonPinzon signed with C.D. Guadalajara[12]
R3, P60United States Mitch GuitarMUnited States University of WisconsinOfficially a member of Indy Eleven, traded to Memphis 901 FC[12]
TrialistUnited States Michael VangMUnited States Forward Madison FCInvited to trial with the Fire for the preseason, due to the partnership with Madison[13]

Technical staff

Position Staff
Sporting Director Switzerland Georg Heitz
Technical Director Germany Sebastian Pelzer
Head Coach Switzerland Raphaël Wicky (Until September 30)
Assistant Coach/Interim Head Coach United States Frank Klopas (Until September 30, Interim Head Coach afterwards)
Assistant Coach Australia David Zdrilic (Until May 20)
Interim Assistant Coach France Ludovic Taillandier (Since September 30)
Goalkeeping Coach United States Adin Brown

Last updated: October 30, 2021
Source: Chicago Fire Technical Staff

Match results

Preseason

March 13, 2021 (2021-03-13) Preseason 1 Chicago Fire FC 2–1 New York City FC Citrus Ridge, Florida
12:00 PM EST Berić 14'
Collier 54'
Report Calvo 1' (o.g.) Stadium: ChampionsGate Sports Complex
March 20, 2021 (2021-03-20) Preseason 2 Philadelphia Union 0–1 Chicago Fire FC Clearwater, Florida
3:00 PM EDT Martínez Yellow card 8'
Fontana Yellow card 31'
Wagner Yellow card 61'
CHI Report
PHI Report
Kappelhof Yellow card 37'
Gutiérrez Yellow card 40'
Casas 100' (Frankowski)
Stadium: Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex
Note: Additional 25-minute period after the full 90 minutes.
March 27, 2021 (2021-03-27) Preseason 3 Chicago Fire FC 1–2 FC Cincinnati Citrus Ridge, Florida
11:30 AM EDT Sekulić 15' Report Acosta 35'
Harris 78'
Stadium: ChampionsGate Sports Complex
April 7, 2021 (2021-04-07) Preseason 5 Chicago Fire FC 2–0 Forward Madison FC Bridgeview, Illinois
12:00 PM CDT Report
Stadium: SeatGeek Stadium

Regular season

April 17 1 Chicago Fire FC 2–2 New England Revolution Chicago, Illinois
7:30 PM CDT Berić 5'
Stojanović 11'
Kappelhof Yellow card 79'
Report Buksa 14'
Bou 27'
Jones Red card 90+2'
Stadium: Soldier Field
Attendance: 8,102
Referee: Fotis Bazakos
April 24 2 Atlanta United FC 3–1 Chicago Fire FC Atlanta, Georgia
7:00 PM CDT Barco 23', Yellow card 70'
Mulraney Yellow card 27'
Kappelhof 66' (o.g.)
Hyndman Yellow card 81', 85'
Report Stojanović 46'
Giménez Yellow card 90'
Stadium: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Attendance: 20,335
Referee: Allen Chapman
May 1 3 NY Red Bulls 2–0 Chicago Fire FC Harrison, NJ
12:00 PM CDT Davis Yellow card 42'
Cásseres 47'
Clarr 64'
Report Sekulić Yellow card 44'
Calvo Yellow card 62'
Stadium: Red Bull Arena
Attendance: unknown
Referee: Ted Unkel
May 8 4 Chicago Fire FC 0–2 Philadelphia Union Chicago, Illinois
12:00 PM CDT Kappelhof Yellow card 26'
Omsberg Yellow card 48'
Sekulić Yellow card 90+2'
Report Burke 51'
Glesnes 60'
Santos Yellow card 90+2'
Bedoya Yellow card 90+6'
Glesnes Yellow card 90+7'
Stadium: Soldier Field
Attendance: 6,457
Referee: Marcos DeOliviera
May 13 5 D.C. United 1–0 Chicago Fire FC Washington, D.C.
7:00 p.m. CDT Hines-Ike Yellow card 4'
Flores 7'
Gressel Yellow card 47'
Report Omsberg Yellow card 19'
Frankowski Yellow card 52'
Herbers Yellow card 63'
Stadium: Audi Field
Attendance: 3,935
Referee: Ramy Rouchan
May 22 6 Chicago Fire FC 1–0 Inter Miami CF Chicago, Illinois
5:00 p.m. CDT Medrán Yellow card 9'
Stojanović 69'
Offor Yellow card 89'
Sekulić Yellow card 90+1'
Report Pírez Yellow card 22'
Ulloa Yellow card 31'
Robinson Yellow card 61'
Shawcross Yellow card 67'
Matuidi Yellow card 68'
Figal Yellow card 85'
Stadium: Soldier Field
Attendance: 10,844
Referee: Silviu Petrescu
May 29 7 Chicago Fire FC 0–1 CF Montreal Chicago, Illinois
12:00 p.m. CDT Report Camacho Yellow card 17'
Wanyama Yellow card 62'
Toye 87'
Stadium: Soldier Field
Attendance: 6,680
Referee: Victor Rivas
June 19 8 Columbus Crew 2–0 Chicago Fire FC Columbus, Ohio
6:30 p.m. CDT Zardes 17', 34'
Etienne Yellow card 21'
Williams Yellow card 25'
Report Herbers Yellow card 44'
Medrán Yellow card 65'
Stadium: Historic Crew Stadium
Attendance: 20,064
Referee: Alex Chilowicz
June 23 9 Chicago Fire FC 0–1 FC Cincinnati Chicago, Illinois
7:00 p.m. CDT Report Barreal 50' Yellow card 79'
Vazquez Yellow card 84'
Stadium: Soldier Field
Attendance: 5,926
Referee: Ismir Pekmic
June 26 10 Chicago Fire FC 3–3 Philadelphia Union Chicago, Illinois
7:00 p.m. CDT Glesnes 2' (o.g.)
Stojanović Yellow card 44'
Sekulić 56'
Navarro Yellow card 62'
Pineda 67'
Herbers Yellow card 81'
Report Elliott Yellow card 10'
Sullivan 28'
Santos Yellow card 34'
Burke 45+2'
Wagner Yellow card 52'
Powell Yellow card 55'
Sekulić 79' (o.g.)
Stadium: Soldier Field
Attendance: 7,308
Referee: Fotis Bazakos
July 3 11 Chicago Fire FC 3–0 Atlanta United FC Chicago, Illinois
7:00 p.m. CDT Bornstein Yellow card 26'
Frankowski Yellow card 31' 58'
Aliseda 34, 45+6'
Report Bello Yellow card 27'
Wolff Yellow card 52'
Walkes Yellow card 69'
Stadium: Soldier Field
Attendance: 14,898
Referee: Baldomero Toledo
July 7 12 Chicago Fire FC 3–1 Orlando City SC Chicago, Illinois
7:00 p.m. CDT Bornstein Yellow card 12'
Medrán Yellow card 22'
Sekulić 45+1'
Berić 72'
Herbers Yellow card 84'
Offor 90+6'
Report Perea 34'
Jansson Yellow card 79'
Stadium: Soldier Field
Attendance: 8,002
Referee: Guido Gonzales Jr.
July 17 13 Nashville SC 5–1 Chicago Fire FC Nashville, Tennessee
7:30 p.m. CDT Mukhtar 10', 13', 16'
Sapong 39'
Anuga 62'
Report Kappelhof Red card 14'
Pineda Yellow card 27'
Aliseda 47'
Navarro Yellow card 49'
Stadium: Nissan Stadium
Attendance: 23,113
Referee: Lukasz Szpala
Note: Hany Mukhtar's Hat-trick for Nashville SC was the fastest hat-trick in MLS history
July 21 14 Chicago Fire FC 2–2 D.C. United Chicago, Illinois
7:00 p.m. CDT Giménez 32', Yellow card 62'
Najar 61' (o.g.)
Medrán Yellow card 65'
Report Najar Yellow card 55'
Paredes 82'
Skundrich Yellow card 84'
Kamara 87' (pen.)
Stadium: Soldier Field
Attendance: 8,306
Referee: Marcos de Oliveira
July 24 15 Chicago Fire FC 1–2 Toronto FC Chicago, Illinois
7:00 p.m. CDT Pineda Yellow card 70'
Medrán 77'
Report Soteldo 2'
DeLeon 76'
Singh Yellow card 81'
Stadium: Soldier Field
Attendance: 12,288
Referee: Victor Rivas
August 1 16 Philadelphia Union 1–1 Chicago Fire FC Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
5:00 p.m. CDT Glesnes Yellow card 30'
Wagner 36'
Elliott Yellow card 65'
Report Frankowski 10'
Omsberg Red card 34'
Herbers Yellow card 41'
Berič Yellow card 78'
Stadium: Subaru Park
Attendance: 16,677
Referee: Michael Radchuk
August 4 17 Chicago Fire FC 0–0 New York City FC Chicago, Illinois
7:00 p.m. CDT Kappelhof Yellow card 90' Report Parks Yellow card 42' Yellow-red card 73'
Tajouri-Shradi Yellow card 84'
Stadium: Soldier Field
Attendance: 8,371
Referee: Baldomero Toledo
August 8 18 Chicago Fire FC 2–1 New York Red Bulls Chicago, Illinois
5:00 p.m. CDT
Report
Stadium: Soldier Field
Attendance: 11,894
Referee: Guido Gonzales Jr.
August 15 19 Chicago Fire FC 1–0 Columbus Crew Chicago, Illinois
5:00 p.m. CDT Stojanovic 77' Report Etienne Yellow card 27' Stadium: Soldier Field
Attendance: 13,005
Referee: Nima Saghafi
August 18 20 Inter Miami CF 3–2 Chicago Fire FC Fort Lauderdale, Florida
6:30 p.m. CDT Vassilev 34'
González Pírez Yellow card 50'
Robinson 62' Yellow card 74'
Carranza Yellow card 84'
Pizarro 90+3'
Report Calvo 40'
Stojanović 48'
Herbers Yellow card 60'
Stadium: DRV PNK Stadium
Attendance: 13,196
Referee: Baldomero Toledo
August 21 21 Orlando City SC 1–0 Chicago Fire FC Orlando, Florida
6:30 p.m. CDT Michel 51'
Mueller Yellow card 78'
Report Terán Yellow card 72' Stadium: Exploria Stadium
Referee: Tim Ford
August 28 22 New York Red Bulls 0–1 Chicago Fire FC Harrison, New Jersey
6:00 p.m. CDT Reyes Yellow card 73'
Duncan Yellow card 78'
Report Berić 32'
Terán Yellow card 81'
Stadium: Red Bull Arena
Attendance: 12,018
Referee: Victor Rivas
September 15 24 D.C. United 3–0 Chicago Fire FC Washington, D.C.
7:00 p.m. CDT Kamara 9' (pen.), 35' (pen.), 44'
Pines Yellow card 12'
Gressel Yellow card 53'
Report Terán Yellow card 7'
Giménez Yellow card 11'
Stadium: Audi Field
Attendance: 13,524
Referee: David Gantar
September 19 25 CF Montréal 2–0 Chicago Fire FC Montreal, Quebec
12:00 PM CDT Quioto 60'
Terán 80' (o.g.)
Report Stojanović Yellow card 39'
Terán Yellow card 49'
Stadium: Saputo Stadium
Referee: Marcos de Oliveira
September 22 26 Chicago Fire FC 2–3 New England Revolution Chicago, Illinois
7:00 PM CDT Terán Yellow card 17', 40'
Medrán Yellow card 34'
Giménez 63'
Report Kessler 11'
Caldwell Yellow card 31'
Bunbury 62'
Gil 90+1', Yellow card 90+1'
Stadium: Soldier Field
Attendance: 7,052
Referee: Lukasz Szpala
September 26 27 Chicago Fire FC 0–0 Nashville SC Chicago, Illinois
7:00 PM CDT Pineda Yellow card 50' Report Anunga Yellow card 56' Stadium: Soldier Field
Attendance: 15,915
Referee: Timothy Ford
September 29 28 Chicago Fire FC 2–0 New York City FC Bridgeview, Illinois
7:00 PM CDT Navarro Yellow card 16'
Beric 48'
Gimenez Yellow card 59'
Navarro 66'
Report Medina Yellow card 10'
Acevedo Yellow card 27'
Stadium: SeatGeek Stadium
Attendance: 5,593
Referee: Baldomero Toledo
October 3 29 Toronto FC 3–1 Chicago Fire FC Toronto, Canada
3:00 p.m. CDT Soteldo Yellow card 9', soccer ball with red X 36', 70'
Delgado 44'
Gonzalez 56'
Laryea Yellow card 89'
Report Berić 16'
Offor Yellow card 86'
Stadium: BMO Field
Referee: Nima Saghafi
October 16 30 New England Revolution 2–2 Chicago Fire FC Foxborough, Massachusetts
6:00 p.m. CDT Kaptoum 47'
Bou 76'
Buchanan Yellow card 90+3'
Report Medrán 49'
F. Navarro Yellow card 60'
Aliseda 88'
M. Navarro Yellow card 90+3'
Stadium: Gillette Stadium
Attendance: 28,414
Referee: Joseph Dickerson
October 20 31 FC Cincinnati 3–4 Chicago Fire FC Cincinnati, Ohio
6:30 p.m. CDT Acosta 28'
Bailey Yellow card 30'
Vázquez 36'
Gyau Yellow card 48'
Cameron Yellow card 80'
Blackett 90+1'
Report Berić 14', 17'
Kappelhof Yellow card 45+1'
Medrán 71'
F. Navarro Yellow card 68'
G. Slonina Yellow card 79'
Stojanović 90+3'
Stadium: TQL Stadium
Attendance: 21,369
Referee: Jon Freemon
October 23 32 Chicago Fire FC 1–0 Real Salt Lake Chicago, Illinois
7:00 p.m. Central Time Zone Herbers Yellow card 29'
Berić 45'
Pineda Yellow card 67'
Gimenez Yellow card 74'
Gutiérrez Yellow card 86'
Report Stadium: Soldier Field
Attendance: 31,308
Referee: Rosendo Mendoza
October 27 33 New York City FC 1–0 Chicago Fire FC The Bronx, New York
6:30 p.m. CDT Castellanos 51' (pen.), Yellow card 90+1' Report Pineda Yellow card 32' Stadium: Yankee Stadium
Referee: Fotis Bazakos
November 7 34 Columbus Crew 2–0 Chicago Fire FC Columbus, Ohio
2:30 p.m. CST Zelarayán 31'
Berry 58'
Report Navarro Yellow card 59'
Offor Yellow card 62'
Espinoza Yellow card 88'
Ivanov Yellow card 89'
Stadium: Mapfre Stadium
Attendance: 19,351
Referee: Timothy Ford

Squad Statistics

Note: Italics indicate the player left the squad or was loaned out and hasn't returned from loan

Games Played

No. Pos. Nat. Name MLS
Starts Apps Minutes
1 GK  USA Bobby Shuttleworth 23 23 2070
2 DF  SVK Boris Sekulić 27 28 2312
3 DF  USA Jonathan Bornstein 25 30 2220
4 DF  NED Johan Kappelhof 16 19 1230
5 DF  CRC Francisco Calvo 16 17 1455
6 DF  VEN Miguel Navarro 25 28 2226
7 MF  ARG Ignacio Aliseda 16 23 1592
8 MF  SER Luka Stojanovic 15 27 1347
9 FW  NGR Chinonso Offor 11 34 1326
10 MF  ESP Alvaro Medran 26 32 2288
11 MF  POL Przemyslaw Frankowski 12 13 1064
14 DF  ECU Jhon Espinoza 8 20 807
18 GK  USA Kenneth Kronholm
20 DF  USA Wyatt Omsberg 9 18 754
21 MF  GER Fabian Herbers 22 27 1833
22 DF  USA Mauricio Pineda 28 29 2409
23 DF  COL Carlos Terán 11 13 978
25 DF  USA Nicholas Slonina
27 FW  SLO Robert Beric 26 33 2204
28 FW  NZL Elliot Collier 3 17 327
30 MF  PAR Gaston Gimenez 22 25 1958
31 MF  ARG Federico Navarro 10 12 968
32 GK  USA Gabriel Slonina 11 11 990
34 GK  USA Chris Brady
36 DF  USA Andre Reynolds
37 MF  USA Javier Casas 2 55
38 FW  USA Alex Monis 1 18
39 MF  USA Allan Rodriguez
40 MF  USA Brian Gutierrez 6 17 595
99 FW  BUL Stanislav Ivanov 6 11 520

Goalkeeping Statistics

No. Nat. Name MLS
Clean Sheets Saves GA
1 United States Bobby Shuttleworth 4 73 38
18 United States Kenneth Kronholm
32 United States Gabriel Slonina 4 46 16
34 United States Chris Brady

Goalscoring and Assisting Record

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