Fire looking to reignite under Berhalter

CHICAGO, IL–Every year is a different year, and this one is a restart for Chicago Fire FC. It’s a team trying to put together a different look with some veterans to youthful players and an experienced new head coach in Gregg Berhalter.

All were introduced in the annual Season Kickoff Luncheon at the Swissotel on Tuesday with a capacity crowd at the event.

The club has just returned from an inspired preseason that had journeys to Florida and California. They played several successful matches for a tune up before the start of the regular season that begins on the road Saturday, February 23rd in Columbus (6:30pm CT, Apple TV).

“It’s been good and a part of it is laying out a vision for the program and what we want to do,” Berhalter said. “Then it’s slowly to get to that stage. We have a lot of new additions with high caliber players, depth players, and homegrown players. We have a strong group that we can compete.”

Berhalter has a very high level of his past and what he sees with the club.

“That’s one of the main reasons I joined the Fire,” Berhalter said. “Because it’s an ambitious club. You see our training ground and you hear about a potential new stadium, and the owner (Joe Mansueto) has been supported from day one in building a supportive roster. That’s very compelling to attract players and eventually attract fans into the stadium (Soldier Field).

As for the season ahead of the club, the Fire will need a good start to the season and will have its hopes and expectations in search of making the postseason.

“Having a good start is important and is big for every club,” Berhalter said. “Everyone is focused on that. But at the end of the day. It’s really about just building something strong, building something sustainable, building a group that can compete and win games.”

As for the players in the mix and seeing what’s been put together. Kellyn Acosta realizes that this team has a good step going into the season.

“The preseason was a good preseason,” Acosta said. “We saw warm weather in Florida and California that was nice. But overall, we had some guys that had some good performances game wise and got our fitness up. We’re just jelling as a team. That’s important for us with a new staff and players to formulate new relationships to build that chemistry.”

Trying to pull the team together and working with one another in the preseason has brought this team along to another level.

“Being cohesive as much as possible is super important to all of us,” Acosta said. “In the season, there will be a lot of adversity. So, it will be a challenge for us to stick together. For some moments, we have to show ourselves as a team and work well together.”

Omar Gonzalez will be a starter on defense and brings with him 16-years’ experience with several clubs around the MLS, and he will be one of the older veterans.

“It feels great to be a part of the Chicago Fire,” Gonzalez said. “It’s exciting with the new staff and Gregg Berhalter coming in, new players that we signed and the new training facility (Endeavor Health Performance Center). Going to a place every day that you love being there and these facilities are incredible and has everything that a player needs. It should be a fun and exciting 2025!”

Gonzalez brings a lot to the table with his experience in what he’s learned over the years and wants to lead by example. Especially for the younger players. It could be a stepping-stone in seeing success by the end of the season.

“I’m at an interesting point of my career,” Gonzalez said. “I’ve played for Berhatler back in my rookie season (2009) and he’s a mentor of mine. Soccer has given me a lot. In return, I’ve given it my heart and soul. I want to do this for this club, do it for my teammates. I want to do it for what Gregg Berhalter has done for me, and I want to be a mentor for these young players. I want to be a good presence in the locker room and a good sounding board. There’s going to be highs, there’s going to be lows, but I’m going to keep this team even keel and just be a good professional. Just train hard every single day, so that we build the right environment, and build a recipe for success.”