2018 Chicago Fire season

Chicago Fire
2018 season
ChairmanAndrew Hauptman
Head coachVeljko Paunović
StadiumToyota Park
(capacity: 20,000)
MLSConference: 10th
Overall: 20th
MLS Cup PlayoffsDid not qualify
U.S. Open CupSemifinals
Brimstone CupLost
Top goalscorerLeague: Nemanja Nikolić, 15 goals
All: Nemanja Nikolić, 19 goals
Highest home attendanceLeague: 21,915 (April 14 vs. LA Galaxy)
Lowest home attendance8,551
Average home league attendance14,516
Biggest winCHI 4-0 ORL (9/16)
Biggest defeatTOR 3-0 CHI (7/28)
← 2017
2019 →

The 2018 Chicago Fire season was the club's 20th year of existence, as well as their 21st in Major League Soccer.

Current squad

As of August 10, 2018. Source: Chicago Fire official roster and Official MLS Roster

No. Name Nationality Position Date of Birth (Age) Previous Club Player Notes
Goalkeepers
30 Stefan Cleveland GK (1994-05-25) May 25, 1994 (age 30) University of Louisville Loaned Out
32 Patrick McLain GK (1988-08-22) August 22, 1988 (age 36) Minnesota United FC
45 Richard Sánchez GK (1994-05-05) May 5, 1994 (age 30) Tigres UANL
Defenders
2 Matt Polster D/M (1993-06-08) June 8, 1993 (age 31) SIU Edwardsville Cougars
3 Brandon Vincent D (1994-05-01) May 1, 1994 (age 30) Stanford Cardinal
4 Johan Kappelhof D (1990-08-05) August 5, 1990 (age 34) FC Groningen
15 Grant Lillard D (1995-12-05) December 5, 1995 (age 29) Indiana Hoosiers Homegrown
16 Jonathan Campbell D (1993-06-27) June 27, 1993 (age 31) North Carolina Tar Heels
22 Nicolas Hasler D/M (1991-05-04) May 4, 1991 (age 33) Toronto FC International
24 Nicolás Del Grecco D (1994-11-19) November 19, 1994 (age 30) C.D. Olimpia International
Loaned Out
25 Jorge Luis Corrales D (1991-05-20) May 20, 1991 (age 33) Tulsa Roughnecks
26 Christian Dean D (1993-03-14) March 14, 1993 (age 31) Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Midfielders
6 Dax McCarty (Captain) M (1987-04-30) April 30, 1987 (age 37) New York Red Bulls
7 Raheem Edwards M/D (1995-07-17) July 17, 1995 (age 29) Montreal Impact International
10 Aleksandar Katai M (1991-02-06) February 6, 1991 (age 33) Deportivo Alavés International
13 Brandt Bronico M (1995-06-20) June 20, 1995 (age 29) University of North Carolina Charlotte
14 Djordje Mihailovic M (1998-11-10) November 10, 1998 (age 26) Chicago Fire Academy Homegrown
18 Drew Conner M (1994-02-18) February 18, 1994 (age 30) Wisconsin Badgers Homegrown
19 Mo Adams M (1996-09-23) September 23, 1996 (age 28) Syracuse Generation Adidas
International
20 Daniel Johnson M (1995-09-08) September 8, 1995 (age 29) University of Louisville
31 Bastian Schweinsteiger M (1984-08-01) August 1, 1984 (age 40) Manchester United Designated Player
International
Forwards
5 Yura Movsisyan F (1987-08-02) August 2, 1987 (age 37) Djurgårdens IF Fotboll
8 Michael de Leeuw F (1986-10-07) October 7, 1986 (age 38) FC Groningen International
9 Luis Solignac F (1991-02-16) February 16, 1991 (age 33) Colorado Rapids International
17 Diego Campos F (1995-10-01) October 1, 1995 (age 29) Clemson International
Loaned Out
21 Alan Gordon F (1981-10-16) October 16, 1981 (age 43) Colorado Rapids
23 Nemanja Nikolić F (1987-12-31) December 31, 1987 (age 37) Legia Warsaw Designated Player
International
28 Elliot Collier F (1995-02-22) February 22, 1995 (age 29) Loyola Chicago International
Loaned Out

Player movement

See also: List of Major League Soccer transfers 2018

In

Date Player Position Previous club Notes Ref
November 28, 2017 Arturo Álvarez M Chicago Fire Option was exercised
November 28, 2017 David Arshakyan F Chicago Fire Option was exercised
November 28, 2017 Jorge Bava GK Chicago Fire Option was exercised
November 28, 2017 Brandt Bronico M Chicago Fire Option was exercised
November 28, 2017 Jonathan Campbell D Chicago Fire Option was exercised
November 28, 2017 Stefan Cleveland GK Chicago Fire Option was exercised
November 28, 2017 Drew Conner M Chicago Fire Option was exercised
November 28, 2017 Daniel Johnson M Chicago Fire Option was exercised
November 28, 2017 Dax McCarty M Chicago Fire Option was exercised
November 28, 2017 Matt Polster D Chicago Fire Option was exercised
November 28, 2017 Brandon Vincent D Chicago Fire Option was exercised
January 10, 2018 Grant Lillard D Indiana Hoosiers Signed as a homegrown player through 2019 with options for 2020 and 2021
January 15, 2018 Richard Sánchez GK Chicago Fire Re-Signed after his contract was initially declined; signed through 2019 with an option for 2020.
January 17, 2018 Bastian Schweinsteiger M Chicago Fire Signed a new one-year contract after his original expired.
January 18, 2018 Rafael Ramos D Orlando City S.C. Acquired from Orlando City, along with $100,000 in allocation money, for the rights to Fire homegrown prospect Cameron Lindley.
January 19, 2018 Jon Bakero F Wake Forest Acquired via the 5th overall pick in the SuperDraft after signing an MLS contract
January 19, 2018 Mo Adams M Syracuse Acquired via the 10th overall pick in the SuperDraft after signing a Generation Adidas contract
February 28, 2018 Tony Tchani M Vancouver Whitecaps FC Acquired from Vancouver in exchange for $150,000 in TAM
February 28, 2018 Diego Campos F Clemson Signed to a contract for 2018 with options for 2019, 2020, and 2021, after being selected with the 38th overall pick in the SuperDraft
February 28, 2018 Elliot Collier F Loyola Chicago Signed to a contract for 2018 with options for 2019, 2020, and 2021, after being selected with the 49th overall pick in the SuperDraft
March 9, 2018 Kevin Ellis D Sporting Kansas City Signed to a contract for 2018 with an option for 2019
March 9, 2018 Patrick McLain GK Minnesota United FC Signed to a contract for 2018 with an option for 2019 and 2020
March 16, 2018 Alan Gordon F Colorado Rapids Signed for the 2018 season
July 11, 2018 Aleksandar Katai M Deportivo Alavés Permanently signed through 2019 with an option for 2020
July 12, 2018 Nicolás Del Grecco D C.D. Olimpia Signed for an undisclosed amount through 2019 with an option for 2020
July 17, 2018 Raheem Edwards M/D Montreal Impact Acquired in exchange for $400k in TAM
July 20, 2018 Nicolas Hasler D/M Toronto FC Acquired in exchange for $50k in GAM and Jon Bakero
September 14, 2018 Yura Movsisyan F Djurgårdens IF Fotboll Signed off of waivers

Out

Date Player Position Destination Club Notes Ref
November 18, 2017 João Meira D/M Lorca FC After his contract expired, he announced that he wouldn't be returning to the Fire
November 28, 2017 Joey Calistri M St. Louis FC Option was declined
November 28, 2017 Matej Dekovic D Option was declined
November 28, 2017 Patrick Doody D Retired Option was declined; on February 13, he announced his retirement.
November 28, 2017 / Collin Fernandez M Phoenix Rising FC Option was declined
November 28, 2017 John Goossens M ADO Den Haag Option was declined
November 28, 2017 Michael Harrington D North Carolina FC Option was declined
November 28, 2017 Juninho M Club Tijuana Loan was not extended
November 28, 2017 Richard Sánchez G Chicago Fire Option was declined
November 28, 2017 Bastian Schweinsteiger M Chicago Fire Out of Contract
December 10, 2017 Arturo Álvarez M Houston Dynamo Traded to Houston for Houston's natural second round selection in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft
December 18, 2018 David Arshakyan F Vejle Boldklub Mutually parted ways
January 14, 2018 Jorge Bava GK Liverpool F.C. Mutually parted ways
January 19, 2018 Matt Lampson GK Minnesota United FC Traded along with $175 thousand in allocation money to Minnesota for the fifth overall pick in the SuperDraft
January 19, 2018 David Accam MF Philadelphia Union Traded for $1.2 million in allocation money over 2018 and 2019
July 20, 2018 Jon Bakero FW Toronto FC Traded with $50K in GAM for Nicolas Hasler
August 6, 2018 Rafael Ramos DF FC Twente Contract was mutually terminated
August 9, 2018 Kevin Ellis DF D.C. United Waived
August 9, 2018 Tony Tchani MF Waived

Loaned in

Date Player Position Original Club Loan Ended Ref
February 6, 2018 Aleksandar Katai MF Deportivo Alavés July 11, 2018

Loaned out

Date Player Position Destination Club Loan Ended Ref
August 10, 2018 Diego Campos FW Indy Eleven End of season
August 10, 2018 Elliot Collier FW Indy Eleven End of season

Unsigned trialists and draft picks

Pre-Season

Academy midfielders Gilberto Angeles and Javier Casas also trained with the Fire while they were in Florida. Academy goalie Kyle Orciuch trained once they got back to Chicago after their travel to Bradenton as well.

Technical staff

Position Staff
General Manager Nelson Rodríguez
Head Coach Veljko Paunović
Assistant Coach Marko Mitrović
Assistant Coach Eric Gehrig
Goalkeeper Coach Aleksandar Sarić
Senior Director of Soccer Operations Eddie Rock
Strength and Conditioning Coach Raphael Fevre
Massage Therapist Steven Burrows
Director of Scouting Matt Pearson
Video Analyst Nenad Babic
Manager of Team and Soccer Operations Alex Boler
Equipment Manager Brian Sauer
Assistant Equipment Manager Juan Arreola
Head Athletic Trainer Steven Purcell
Assistant Athletic Trainer Reade Whitney
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Joshua Blomgren, D.O.
Head Orthopedic Officer Dr. Brian Forsythe, M.D.
Physical Therapist Ryan Perry

Last updated: October 30, 2017
Source: Chicago Fire Technical Staff

Standings

Eastern Conference table

Pos Team
 Pld W L T GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 New York Red Bulls 34 22 7 5 62 33 +29 71 MLS Cup Conference Semifinals
2 Atlanta United FC 34 21 7 6 70 44 +26 69
3 New York City FC 34 16 10 8 59 45 +14 56 MLS Cup Knockout Round
4 D.C. United 34 14 11 9 60 50 +10 51
5 Columbus Crew 34 14 11 9 43 45 −2 51
6 Philadelphia Union 34 15 14 5 49 50 −1 50
7 Montreal Impact 34 14 16 4 47 53 −6 46
8 New England Revolution 34 10 13 11 49 55 −6 41
9 Toronto FC 34 10 18 6 59 64 −5 36
10 Chicago Fire 34 8 18 8 48 61 −13 32
11 Orlando City SC 34 8 22 4 43 74 −31 28
Source: MLS

Overall table

Pos Team
 Pld W L T GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 New York Red Bulls (S) 34 22 7 5 62 33 +29 71 CONCACAF Champions League
2 Atlanta United FC (C) 34 21 7 6 70 44 +26 69
3 Sporting Kansas City 34 18 8 8 65 40 +25 62
4 Seattle Sounders FC 34 18 11 5 52 37 +15 59
5 Los Angeles FC 34 16 9 9 68 52 +16 57
6 FC Dallas 34 16 9 9 52 44 +8 57
7 New York City FC 34 16 10 8 59 45 +14 56
8 Portland Timbers 34 15 10 9 54 48 +6 54
9 D.C. United 34 14 11 9 60 50 +10 51
10 Columbus Crew 34 14 11 9 43 45 −2 51
11 Philadelphia Union 34 15 14 5 49 50 −1 50
12 Real Salt Lake 34 14 13 7 55 58 −3 49
13 LA Galaxy 34 13 12 9 66 64 +2 48
14 Vancouver Whitecaps FC 34 13 13 8 54 67 −13 47
15 Montreal Impact 34 14 16 4 47 53 −6 46
16 New England Revolution 34 10 13 11 49 55 −6 41
17 Houston Dynamo 34 10 16 8 58 58 0 38 CONCACAF Champions League
18 Minnesota United FC 34 11 20 3 49 71 −22 36
19 Toronto FC 34 10 18 6 59 64 −5 36 CONCACAF Champions League
20 Chicago Fire 34 8 18 8 48 61 −13 32
21 Colorado Rapids 34 8 19 7 36 63 −27 31
22 Orlando City SC 34 8 22 4 43 74 −31 28
23 San Jose Earthquakes 34 4 21 9 49 71 −22 21
Source: MLS
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) disciplinary points; 6) away goals scored; 7) away goal differential; 8) coin toss or drawing of lots
(C) MLS Cup Champion; (S) Supporters' Shield

Results summary

Overall Home Away
Pld Pts W L T GF GA GD W L T GF GA GD W L T GF GA GD
33 31 8 18 7 48 61  −13 6 7 3 28 25  +3 2 11 4 20 36  −16

Source: MLSsoccer.com standings
Pld = Matches played; Pts = Points; W = Matches won; T = Matches tied; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GD = Goal difference

Match results

  Win   Tie   Loss

Preseason

Kickoff times are in CST (UTC−06)

February 3, 2018 South Florida Bulls 0–2 Chicago Fire Tampa, Florida
16:00 Report Mo Adams  14'
Nemanja Nikolić 40'
Elliot Collier 76'		 Stadium: USF Soccer Stadium
February 8, 2018 Philadelphia Union 0–0 Chicago Fire Clearwater, Florida
10:00 Alejandro Bedoya  42' Report Gilberto Angeles  79' Stadium: Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex
February 14, 2018 Montreal Impact 2–1 Chicago Fire Bradenton, Florida
18:00 Ignacio Piatti 34'
Matteo Mancosu 42'
Ken Krolicki  54'
Daniel Lovitz  70'		 Report Grant Lillard  41'
Dax McCarty 55'
Christian Dean  87'
Omar Castro  89'		 Stadium: IMG Academy
February 17, 2018 Florida Gulf Coast Eagles 0–2 Chicago Fire Bradenton, Florida
Report Omar Castro 19'
Albert Ruiz 27'		 Stadium: IMG Academy
February 21, 2018 Nashville SC 0–0 Chicago Fire Bradenton, Florida
15:00 Michael Cox  50' Report Christian Dean  39' Stadium: IMG Academy
March 3, 2018 Chicago Fire 2–1 Tulsa Roughnecks Bridgeview, Illinois
12:00 Tony Tchani  54'
Johan Kappelhof  57'
Nemanja Nikolić 69'
Elliot Collier 78'		 Report Jhon Pirez 16', 66'
Michael Gamble  25'		 Stadium: Toyota Park

Major League Soccer

Kickoff times are in CST (UTC−06)

March 10, 2018 1 Chicago Fire 3–4 Sporting Kansas City Bridgeview, Illinois
17:00 Kappelhof  36'
Schweinsteiger  50'
Katai 70'
Nikolić 74', 82'		 Report Gutiérrez 9', 86'
Melia  33'
Russell 44'
Sanchez  56'
Medranda 83'		 Stadium: Toyota Park
Attendance: 14,021
Referee: Jose Carlos Rivero
March 17, 2018 2 Minnesota United FC 2–1 Chicago Fire Minneapolis, Minnesota
13:00 Ibarra 55'
Nicholson 66'
Mears  90+2'		 Report Collier 58'
Ellis  60'
Tchani  67'		 Stadium: TCF Bank Stadium
Attendance: 23,138
Referee: Alex Chilowicz
March 31, 2018 3 Chicago Fire 2–2 Portland Timbers Bridgeview, Illinois
17:00 Katai  12'
Nikolić 50'
Vincent 84'		 Report Valeri 6',  52'
Blanco 55'		 Stadium: Toyota Park
Attendance: 13,678
Referee: Drew Fischer
April 7, 2018 4 Chicago Fire 1–0 Columbus Crew Bridgeview, Illinois
19:30 Kappelhof  6'
Nikolić 27',  90+4'
Sánchez  90'		 Report Artur  47' Stadium: Toyota Park
Attendance: 11,028
Referee: Jair Marrufo
April 14, 2018 5 Chicago Fire 0–1 LA Galaxy Bridgeview, Illinois
14:30 Vincent  45'
Gordon  48'		 Report Alessandrini  35'
Ibrahimović 45+1'
Kitchen  77'
Cole  89'		 Stadium: Toyota Park
Attendance: 21,915
Referee: Ted Unkel
April 21, 2018 6 New York Red Bulls 1–2 Chicago Fire Harrison, New Jersey
13:00 Robles  68'
Wright-Phillips 81'		 Report Katai 30'
Nikolić 69' (pen.)
Adams  90+2'		 Stadium: Red Bull Arena
Attendance: 18,784
Referee: Robert Sibiga
April 28, 2018 7 Toronto FC 2–2 Chicago Fire Toronto
14:00 Osorio 8'
Vázquez 22'
Hernandez  80'		 Report Schweinsteiger 69'
Katai  73'
Gordon 90+4'		 Stadium: BMO Field
Attendance: 26,331
Referee: Alan Kelly
May 5, 2018 8 Chicago Fire 1–2 Atlanta United FC Bridgeview, Illinois
17:00 Kappelhof  24'
Ellis 61'
Lillard  80'		 Report Barco 53', 73'
Pírez  65'
Villalba  90+5'		 Stadium: Toyota Park
Attendance: 15,024
Referee: Drew Fischer
May 9, 2018 9 Chicago Fire 1–0 Montreal Impact Bridgeview, Illinois
19:30 Vincent  66'
Adams  70'
Ellis 89'		 Report Petrasso  65' Stadium: Toyota Park
Attendance: 10,067
Referee: Sorin Stoica
May 12, 2018 10 Columbus Crew 3–0 Chicago Fire Columbus, Ohio
18:30 Higuain 28' (pen.)
Zardes 50', 70', 57'		 Report Ellis  27' Stadium: MAPFRE Stadium
Attendance: 11,108
Referee: Allen Chapman
May 20, 2018 11 Chicago Fire 2–3 Houston Dynamo Bridgeview, Illinois
15:00 Nikolić 14'
Campos 16'
Adams  38'
Sánchez  83'
Ramos  90+1'		 Report Quioto 4', 79'
Elis 56' (pen.), 74' 80'
O. García  67'
Willis  90+6'		 Stadium: Toyota Park
Attendance: 14,206
Referee: Silviu Petrescu
May 26, 2018 12 Orlando City SC 1–2 Chicago Fire Orlando, Florida
18:30 El Monir  11'
Higuita 28'
Schuler  40'
Rosell  64'
Mueller  70'
Kljestan  90'		 Report Katai 13'
Ellis  45+1'
Gordon 82'
Adams
Kappelhof  90+5'		 Stadium: Orlando City Stadium
Attendance: 25,288
Referee: Nima Saghafi
May 30, 2018 13 Philadelphia Union 3–1 Chicago Fire Chester, Pennsylvania
17:30 Ilsinho 44'
Burke 51'
Dočkal 87' (pen.)		 Report Corrales  32'
Gordon 56'		 Stadium: Talen Energy Stadium
Attendance: 14,805
Referee: Fotis Bazakos
June 2, 2018 14 Chicago Fire 2–1 San Jose Earthquakes Bridgeview, Illinois
19:30 Gordon 29'
Katai 49'
Corrales  57'		 Report Alashe  45+5'
Ockford  61'
Hoesen 74'		 Stadium: Toyota Park
Attendance: 14,138
Referee: Ismail Elfath
June 9, 2018 15 Chicago Fire 1–1 New England Revolution Bridgeview, Illinois
19:30 Schweinsteiger 63' Report Dielna  31'
Bunbury 82', 83'		 Stadium: Toyota Park
Attendance: 14,415
Referee: Kevin Stott
June 13, 2018 16 Colorado Rapids 2–2 Chicago Fire Commerce City, Colorado
20:00 Badji 7'
Smith 15'
Blomberg  56'		 Report Wilson 21' (o.g.)
Katai 24'
Schweinsteiger  29'
Kappelhof  45+1', 84'
Campos  90+2'		 Stadium: Dick's Sporting Goods Park
Attendance: 16,068
Referee: JC Rivero
June 23, 2018 17 Seattle Sounders FC 1–1 Chicago Fire Seattle, Washington
21:00 Dempsey 22'
Roldan  87'
Tolo  90+1'		 Report Katai 9'
Schweinsteiger  44'
Campbell  61'
Collier  85'		 Stadium: CenturyLink Field
Attendance: 39,513
Referee: Armando Villarreal
June 30, 2018 18 Chicago Fire 3–2 New York City FC Bridgeview, Illinois
19:30 Nikolić 6'
Bronico  10'
Katai 47, 52'
Sánchez  89'
Gordon  90+1'		 Report Ring  28'
Tajouri-Shradi 36'
Berget 40'		 Stadium: Toyota Park
Attendance: 15,204
Referee: Chris Penso
July 7, 2018 19 Vancouver Whitecaps FC 3–2 Chicago Fire Vancouver, British Columbia
21:30 Kamara 28', 72'
Mutch 47'		 Report Vincent  10'
Nikolić 42'
Katai  67'
Tchani 80'		 Stadium: BC Place Stadium
Attendance: 22,120
Referee: Robert Sibiga
July 11, 2018 20 Chicago Fire 3–4 Philadelphia Union Bridgeview, Illinois
19:30 Corrales  5'
Nikolić 39' (pen.)
Katai 69'
Kappelhof  83'
Schweinsteiger 90+4'		 Report Burke  7', 45+3', 73'
Medunjanin 31'
Accam 90+5', 90+6'		 Stadium: Toyota Park
Attendance: 12,008
Referee: Dave Gantar
July 14, 2018 21 FC Dallas 3–1 Chicago Fire Frisco, Texas
19:00 Gruezo 27'
Cannon  63'
Acosta 74'
Ziegler 81' (pen.)		 Report Conner  39' 
Bronico 86'		 Stadium: Toyota Stadium
Attendance: 16,000
Referee: Marcos Deoliveira
July 21, 2018 22 Chicago Fire 1–2 Toronto FC Bridgeview, Illinois
18:00 Corrales  45+1'
Nikolić 62'		 Report Mavinga  41'
Giovinco 47'
Morrow  61'
Osorio 65'		 Stadium: Toyota Park
Attendance: 15,177
Referee: Sorin Stoica
July 28, 2018 23 Toronto FC 3–0 Chicago Fire Toronto
18:00 Giovinco  42', 89'
Altidore 52'
Bradley  63'
Osorio 73'		 Report Bronico  30' Stadium: BMO Field
Attendance: 29,190
Referee: Joseph Dickerson
August 4, 2018 24 Real Salt Lake 2–1 Chicago Fire Sandy, Utah
21:00 Kreilach 45+3', 75'
Silva  90'		 Report Schweinsteiger 48', 90+6'
Conner  55'		 Stadium: Rio Tinto Stadium
Attendance: 19,817
Referee: Kevin Stott
August 11, 2018 25 Chicago Fire 0–1 New York Red Bulls Bridgeview, Illinois
19:30 Bronico  11'
McCarty  42'		 Report Wright-Phillips 55'
Rzatkowski  66'
Royer  74'
Muyl  76'
Murillo  89'		 Stadium: Toyota Park
Attendance: 18,064
Referee: Nima Saghafi
August 18, 2018 26 Montreal Impact 2–1 Chicago Fire Montreal, Quebec
18:30 Piatti 6' (pen.)
Camacho  24'
Sagna  68'
Lovitz 90+1'		 Report Corrales  41'
Nikolić 70'
McCarty  80'		 Stadium: Stade Saputo
Attendance: 18,831
Referee: Baldomero Toledo
August 23, 2018 27 Chicago Fire 1–1 Columbus Crew Bridgeview, Illinois
18:00 de Leeuw  55'
Nikolić 67'
Katai  69'
Schweinsteiger  90+1'		 Report Higuaín  65'
Hansen 87'		 Stadium: Toyota Park
Attendance: 8,551
Referee: Armando Villareal
September 16, 2018 28 Chicago Fire 4–0 Orlando City SC Bridgeview, Illinois
16:00 Nikolić 3', 70'
Katai 28', 58'
de Leeuw 56'		 Report Stadium: Toyota Park
Attendance: 16,287
Referee: Allen Chapman
September 22, 2018 29 New England Revolution 2–2 Chicago Fire Foxborough, Massachusetts
18:30 Mlinar  31'
Bye  36'
Caldwell 62', 80'
Bunbury  69'
Penilla 70'		 Report Katai 19'
McCarty  58'
Mancienne 67' (o.g.)
Kappelhof  78'		 Stadium: Gillette Stadium
Attendance: 24,388
Referee: Joe Dickerson
September 26, 2018 30 New York City FC 2–0 Chicago Fire New York City
18:00 Tajouri-Shradi  27'
Ring 47'
Villa 51'		 Report Stadium: Yankees Stadium
Attendance: 21,582
Referee: Jair Marrufo
September 29, 2018 31 Chicago Fire 3–1 Los Angeles FC Bridgeview, Illinois
4:30 Mihailovic 20'
McCarty  24'
Nikolić 29' (pen.),  56'
Katai 66'
Bronico  79'
Kappelhof  90+3'		 Report Rossi 73' Stadium: Toyota Park
Attendance: 18,471
Referee: Chris Penso
October 7, 2018 32 D.C. United 2–1 Chicago Fire Washington, D.C.
12:00 Rooney 62', 81' (pen.) Report Edwards 51'
Schweinsteiger  90+4'		 Stadium: Audi Field
Attendance: 20,064
Referee: Ismail Elfath
October 21, 2018 33 Atlanta United FC 2–1 Chicago Fire Atlanta
2:00 PM EDT Escobar 9'
Kappelhof 26' (o.g.)
Remedi  81'		 Report de Leeuw 24'
Kappelhof  72'		 Stadium: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Attendance: 71,812
Referee: Drew Fischer
October 28, 2018 34 Chicago Fire 0–0 D.C. United Bridgeview, Illinois
3:30 PM EDT McCarty  54'
Schweinsteiger  79'		 Report Stadium: Toyota Park
Attendance: 19,459
Referee: Nima Saghafi

Open Cup

Kickoff times are in CST (UTC−06)

June 6, 2018 Fourth round Columbus Crew 2–2 (a.e.t.)
(9–10 p)		 Chicago Fire Columbus, Ohio
18:00 Cristian Martinez 10'
Eduardo Sosa  64'
Mohammed Abu  71'
Alex Crognale  107'
Jahn 114'		 Report Nemanja Nikolić 45', 109'
Rafael Ramos  81'
Dax McCarty  90+3'
Aleksandar Katai  112'		 Stadium: MAPFRE Stadium
Attendance: 4,992
Referee: Marcos DeOliveira
Penalties
Valenzuela
Jiménez
Argudo
Abubakar
Jahn
Martinez
Crognale
Sosa
Abu
Opoku
Ketterer 		Nikolić
Katai
McCarty
Campos
Schweinsteiger
Bronico
Lillard
Corrales
Ramos
Campbell
Sánchez
June 20, 2018 Round of 16 Atlanta United FC 0–1 Chicago Fire Atlanta
18:30 Leandro González Pírez  81' Report Aleksandar Katai  39'
Nemanja Nikolić 54'		 Stadium: Mercedes Benz Stadium
Attendance: 41,012
Referee: Rubiel Vazquez
July 18, 2018 Quarterfinals Chicago Fire 4–0 Louisville City Bridgeview, Illinois
19:30 Nikolić 16'
Aleksandar Katai 32'
Elliot Collier  86', 90+2'
Diego Campos 90'
Tony Tchani  90+4'		 Report Paco Craig  62'
Paolo DelPiccolo  64'
Kyle Smith  84'
Sean Totsch  89'
Magnus Rasmussen  90+3'		 Stadium: Toyota Park
Attendance: 2,561
August 8, 2018 Semifinals Philadelphia Union 3–0 Chicago Fire Chester, Pennsylvania
7:00 p.m. EDT Cory Burke 59', 77'
CJ Sapong 86'		 Report Aleksandar Katai  62' Stadium: Talen Energy Stadium
Attendance: 7,934

International friendlies

Kickoff times are in CST (UTC−06)

August 28, 2018 Bayern Munich 4–0 Chicago Fire Munich, Germany
13:30 Serge Gnabry 7'
Sandro Wagner 38'
Arjen Robben 63'
Bastian Schweinsteiger 82'		 Stadium: Allianz Arena

Squad statistics

Games played

No. Pos. Nat. Name MLS Open Cup Total
Starts Apps Minutes Starts Apps Minutes Starts Apps Minutes
2 DF/MF  USA Matt Polster 1 2 106 0 0 0 1 1 89
3 DF  USA Brandon Vincent 30 31 2,738 2 2 180 32 33 2,918
4 DF  NED Johan Kappelhof 29 29 2,604 3 3 270 32 32 2,874
5 FW  ARM Yura Movsisyan 0 3 45 0 0 0 0 3 45
6 MF  USA Dax McCarty 25 25 2,169 3 4 305 28 29 2,474
7 M/D  CAN Raheem Edwards 9 12 826 1 1 90 10 13 916
8 FW  NED Michael de Leeuw 5 9 454 0 0 0 5 9 454
9 FW  ARG Luis Solignac 8 11 702 2 2 155 10 13 857
10 MF  SER Aleksandar Katai 26 32 2,338 3 4 294 28 36 2,632
13 MF  USA Brandt Bronico 17 23 1,531 4 4 372 21 27 1,903
14 MF  USA Djordje Mihailovic 7 8 512 0 0 0 7 8 512
15 DF  USA Grant Lillard 6 8 562 1 1 120 7 9 682
16 DF  USA Jonathan Campbell 10 14 915 2 3 217 12 17 1,132
17 FW  CRC Diego Campos 12 22 1,107 3 3 275 15 25 1,382
18 MF  USA Drew Conner 5 11 462 0 1 5 5 12 467
19 MF  ENG Mo Adams 10 15 908 0 0 0 10 15 908
20 MF  USA Daniel Johnson 3 7 261 1 1 79 4 8 340
21 FW  USA Alan Gordon 7 22 799 0 2 19 7 24 818
22 DF  LIE Nicolas Hasler 7 9 701 1 1 85 8 10 786
23 FW  HUN Nemanja Nikolić 28 30 2,381 4 4 378 32 34 2,759
24 DF  ARG Nicolás Del Grecco 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
25 DF  CUB Jorge Luis Corrales 15 17 1,292 4 4 374 19 21 1,666
26 DF  USA Christian Dean 2 2 178 0 0 0 2 2 178
28 FW  NZL Elliot Collier 9 16 904 1 1 90 10 17 994
30 GK  USA Stefan Cleveland 5 5 450 0 0 0 5 5 450
31 MF  GER Bastian Schweinsteiger 29 30 2,636 3 4 319 32 34 2,955
32 GK  USA Patrick McLain 4 4 314 0 0 0 4 4 314
45 GK  MEX Richard Sánchez 24 25 2,207 4 4 390 28 28 2,597
FW  ESP Jon Bakero 1 4 75 0 0 0 1 4 75
DF  USA Kevin Ellis 19 20 1,537 0 2 41 19 22 1,578
DF  POR Rafael Ramos 1 3 105 1 2 136 2 5 241
MF  CMR Tony Tchani 9 13 825 1 3 106 10 16 731

Goalkeeping statistics

No. Pos. Nat. Name MLS Open Cup Total
Clean sheets Saves GA Clean sheets Saves GA Clean sheets Saves GA
30 GK  USA Stefan Cleveland 0 25 8 0 0 0 0 25 8
32 GK  USA Patrick McLain 0 12 6 0 0 0 0 12 6
45 GK  MEX Richard Sánchez 3 80 47 2 12 5 5 92 52

Goalscoring and assisting record

MLS Regular Season
Rank Player A
1 Nemanja Nikolić 15 2
2 Aleksandar Katai 12 5
3 Bastian Schweinsteiger 4 6
4 Alan Gordon 4 0
5 Kevin Ellis 2 4
6 Michael de Leeuw 2 2
7 Brandt Bronico 1 5
8 Brandon Vincent 1 4
9 Djordje Mihailovic 1 3
10 Diego Campos 1 2
Raheem Edwards
12 Elliot Collier 1 1
13 Tony Tchani 1 0
14 Johan Kappelhof 0 4
15 Dax McCarty 0 3
16 Jonathan Campbell 0 1
Drew Conner
Matt Polster
Luis Solignac
U.S. Open Cup
Rank Player A
1 Nemanja Nikolić 4 0
2 Aleksandar Katai 1 1
3 Diego Campos 1 0
Elliot Collier
5 Bastian Schweinsteiger 0 2
6 Jorge Luis Corrales 0 1
Rafael Ramos
Luis Solignac
All Competitions
Rank Player A
1 Nemanja Nikolić 19 2
2 Aleksandar Katai 13 6
3 Bastian Schweinsteiger 4 8
4 Alan Gordon 4 0
5 Kevin Ellis 2 4
6 Diego Campos 2 2
Michael de Leeuw
8 Elliot Collier 2 1
9 Brandt Bronico 1 5
10 Brandon Vincent 1 4
11 Djordje Mihailovic 1 3
12 Raheem Edwards 1 2
13 Tony Tchani 1 0
14 Johan Kappelhof 0 4
15 Dax McCarty 0 3
16 Luis Solignac 0 2
17 Jonathan Campbell 0 1
Jorge Luis Corrales
Drew Conner
Matt Polster
Rafael Ramos

Cards

MLS Regular Season
Rank Player   Matches Missed
1 Johan Kappelhof 9 0 1 June 23 vs Seattle Sounders
June 30 vs New York City FC
2 Drew Conner 1 1 0 July 21 vs Toronto
3 Aleksandar Katai 6 0 0
Bastian Schweinsteiger
5 Jorge Luis Corrales 5 0 0
6 Brandt Bronico 4 0 0
Kevin Ellis
Dax McCarty
9 Mo Adams 3 0 0
Richard Sánchez
Brandon Vincent
12 Alan Gordon 2 0 0
Nemanja Nikolić
14 Jonathan Campbell 1 0 0
Diego Campos
Elliot Collier
Michael de Leeuw
Grant Lillard
Rafael Ramos
Tony Tchani
U.S. Open Cup
Rank Player   Matches Missed
1 Aleksandar Katai 3 0 0
2 Elliot Collier 1 0 0
Dax McCarty
Rafael Ramos
Tony Tchani
All Competitions
Rank Player   Matches Missed
1 Johan Kappelhof 9 0 1 June 23 vs Seattle Sounders
June 30 vs New York City FC
October 28 vs D.C. United
2 Drew Conner 1 1 0 July 21 vs Toronto
3 Aleksandar Katai 9 0 0
4 Bastian Schweinsteiger 6 0 0
5 Jorge Luis Corrales 5 0 0
Dax McCarty
7 Brandt Bronico 4 0 0
Kevin Ellis
9 Mo Adams 3 0 0
Richard Sánchez
Brandon Vincent
12 Elliot Collier 2 0 0
Alan Gordon
Nemanja Nikolić
Rafael Ramos
Tony Tchani
17 Jonathan Campbell 1 0 0
Diego Campos
Michael de Leeuw
Grant Lillard

Notes

Player left during the season

  1. ^ a b While Adams was sent off against Orlando on May 26, his card was later removed by an independent panel

Awards

MLS Team of the Week

Week Player Position Report
5 Bastian Schweinsteiger M Report
6 Bastian Schweinsteiger D Report
Nemanja Nikolić Bench
8 Richard Sánchez GK Report
Dax McCarty Bench
13 Alan Gordon Bench Report
Patrick McLain
14 Alan Gordon Bench Report
15 Johan Kappelhof D Report
16 Aleksandar Katai M Report
17 Aleksandar Katai F Report
Brandt Bronico Bench
18 Aleksandar Katai F Report
Dax McCarty Bench
26 Nemanja Nikolić Bench Report
29 Nemanja Nikolić Bench Report
31 Djordje Mihailovic M Report

MLS Goal of the week

Week Player Game Score Report
18 Aleksandar Katai vs New York City FC 3-2 Report
31 Djordje Mihailovic vs LAFC 1-0 Report

Tulsa loanee statistics

The Fire renewed their affiliation with Tulsa for another season on January 12, 2018. The affiliation allows for players to be called back at any point or loaned out at any point.

Loaned out

The following players were loaned out during the season:

Player Position Notes Ref
Stefan Cleveland GK
Jon Bakero FW Traded to Toronto on July 20
Nicolás Del Grecco FW Officially loaned out on August 10
Mo Adams MF

Games played

No. Pos. Nat. Name USL Open Cup Total
Starts Apps Minutes Starts Apps Minutes Starts Apps Minutes
4 DF Nicolás Del Grecco 1 1 90 0 0 0 1 1 90
30 GK Stefan Cleveland 1 1 90 0 0 0 1 1 90
91 MF Mo Adams 0 1 45 0 0 0 0 1 45
FW Jon Bakero 2 3 202 0 0 0 2 3 202

Goalscoring and assisting record

USL Regular Season
Rank Player A
Jon Bakero 2 1

Cards

USL Regular Season
Rank Player   Matches Missed
1 Nicolás Del Grecco 1 0 0

Goalkeeping statistics

No. Pos. Nat. Name USL Open Cup Total
Clean sheets Saves GA Clean sheets Saves GA Clean sheets Saves GA
30 GK Stefan Cleveland 0 4 2 0 0 0 0 4 2

Notes

Player left during the season

National team call-ups

 Armenia
Yura Movsisyan

 Hungary
Nemanja Nikolić

  • Friendly vs Luxembourg, November 9, 2017 (Started, played 75 minutes, scored one goal)
  • Friendly vs Costa Rica, November 14, 2017 (Started, played 81 minutes, scored one goal)
  • Friendly vs Kazakhstan, March 23 (Started, played 76 minutes)
  • Friendly vs Scotland, March 27 (Subbed on, played 7 minutes)

 Liechtenstein
Nicolas Hasler

 United States
Matt Polster

Brandon Vincent

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u "Chicago Fire Soccer Club Exercises Contract Options on 11 Players | Chicago Fire FC".
  2. ^ "Chicago Fire Soccer Club Signs Grant Lillard as Homegrown Player | Chicago Fire FC".
  3. ^ "Chicago Fire Soccer Club re-signs goalkeeper Richard Sanchez | Chicago Fire FC". chicagofirefc.
  4. ^ "Chicago Fire Soccer Club Re-Signs Designated Player Bastian Schweinsteiger | Chicago Fire FC".
  5. ^ "Chicago Fire Acquire Defender Rafael Ramos and Targeted Allocation Money from Orlando City SC | Chicago Fire FC".
  6. ^ a b c "2018 Superdraft | MLSsoccer.com". Archived from the original on January 19, 2018.
  7. ^ "Chicago Fire Soccer Club Acquires Midfielder Tony Tchani from Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Chicago Fire FC".
  8. ^ a b "Chicago Fire Soccer Club Signs 2018 MLS SuperDraft Picks Diego Campos and Elliot Collier | Chicago Fire FC".
  9. ^ a b "Chicago Fire Soccer Club Adds Kevin Ellis and Patrick McLain | Chicago Fire FC". chicagofirefc.
  10. ^ "Chicago Fire Soccer Club Signs Alan Gordon | Chicago Fire FC". chicagofirefc.
  11. ^ "Chicago Fire Secure Transfer of Aleksandar Katai | Chicago Fire FC". chicagofirefc.
  12. ^ "Chicago Fire Soccer Club Signs Argentine Defender Nicolás del Grecco | Chicago Fire FC".
  13. ^ "Chicago Fire Acquire Raheem Edwards | Chicago Fire FC".
  14. ^ a b "Chicago Fire Acquire Nicolas Hasler | Chicago Fire FC".
  15. ^ "Chicago Fire Acquire Forward Yura Movsisyan | Chicago Fire FC".
  16. ^ Twitter post
  17. ^ "Chicago Fire Soccer Club Acquires 2019 MLS SuperDraft Pick from Houston Dynamo in Exchange for Arturo Alvarez | Chicago Fire FC".
  18. ^ "Chicago Fire Soccer Club and Forward David Arshakyan Mutually Terminate Contract | Chicago Fire FC".
  19. ^ "Chicago Fire Soccer Club and Goalkeeper Jorge Bava Mutually Terminate Contract | Chicago Fire FC". chicagofirefc.
  20. ^ "Goalkeeper Lampson Joins MNUFC from Chicago Fire | Minnesota United FC". MNUFC.
  21. ^ "Philadelphia Union get David Accam from Chicago Fire in $1.2M trade | MLSSoccer.com".
  22. ^ "Chicago Fire Soccer Club and Defender Rafael Ramos Mutually Terminate Contract | Chicago Fire FC". chicagofirefc.
  23. ^ a b "Chicago Fire Waive Defender Kevin Ellis and Midfielder Tony Tchani | Chicago Fire FC". chicagofirefc.
  24. ^ "Aleksandar Katai cedido al Chicago Fire | Alavés – Web Oficial".
  25. ^ a b "Chicago Fire Loan Diego Campos and Elliot Collier to Indy Eleven | Chicago Fire FC".
  26. ^ a b "Chicago Fire return to Florida for third phase of preseason at IMG Academy | Chicago Fire FC".
  27. ^ a b c d "Fire announce roster for start of 2018 training camp Tuesday | Chicago Fire FC".
  28. ^ "Weekly Update: Fire return to Chicago to continue preseason training | Chicago Fire FC".
  29. ^ "Weekly Schedule & Roster Update: Fire enter last phase of off-site preseason work | Chicago Fire FC".
  30. ^ Chicagofirefc. "Fire set for first friendly of 2018 preseason, face USF Saturday in Tampa | Chicago Fire FC". Chicagofirefc.
  31. ^ Twitter post
  32. ^ "Fire set to face Philadelphia Union in preseason friendly on Thursday | Chicago Fire FC". chicagofirefc.
  33. ^ Twitter post
  34. ^ "Chicago Fire Soccer Club Renews USL Affiliation with Tulsa Roughnecks FC | Chicago Fire FC".
  35. ^ "Chicago Fire Loan Nicolas del Grecco to USL Affiliate Tulsa Roughnecks FC | Chicago Fire FC".