2018 Chicago Fire season

The 2018 Chicago Fire season was the club's 23rd year of existence, as well as their 21st in Major League Soccer.

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)

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 United States GK (1994-05-25) May 25, 1994 United States University of Louisville Loaned Out
32 Patrick McLain United States GK (1988-08-22) August 22, 1988 United States Minnesota United
45 Richard Sánchez Mexico GK (1994-05-05) May 5, 1994 Mexico Tigres UANL
Defenders
2 Matt Polster United States D/M (1993-06-08) June 8, 1993 United States SIU Edwardsville Cougars
3 Brandon Vincent United States D (1994-05-01) May 1, 1994 United States Stanford Cardinal
4 Johan Kappelhof Netherlands D (1990-08-05) August 5, 1990 Netherlands FC Groningen
15 Grant Lillard United States D (1995-12-05) December 5, 1995 United States Indiana Hoosiers Homegrown
16 Jonathan Campbell United States D (1993-06-27) June 27, 1993 United States North Carolina Tar Heels
22 Nicolas Hasler Liechtenstein D/M (1991-05-04) May 4, 1991 Canada Toronto FC International
24 Nicolás Del Grecco Argentina D (1994-11-19) November 19, 1994 Honduras C.D. Olimpia International
Loaned Out
25 Jorge Luis Corrales Cuba D (1991-05-20) May 20, 1991 United States Tulsa Roughnecks
26 Christian Dean United States D (1993-03-14) March 14, 1993 Canada Vancouver Whitecaps
Midfielders
6 Dax McCarty (Captain) United States M (1987-04-30) April 30, 1987 United States New York Red Bulls
7 Raheem Edwards Canada M/D (1995-07-17) July 17, 1995 Canada Montreal Impact International
10 Aleksandar Katai Serbia M (1991-02-06) February 6, 1991 Spain Deportivo Alavés International
13 Brandt Bronico United States M (1995-06-20) June 20, 1995 United States University of North Carolina Charlotte
14 Djordje Mihailovic United States M (1998-11-10) November 10, 1998 United States Chicago Fire Academy Homegrown
18 Drew Conner United States M (1994-02-18) February 18, 1994 United States Wisconsin Badgers Homegrown
19 Mo Adams England M (1996-09-23) September 23, 1996 United States Syracuse Generation Adidas
International
20 Daniel Johnson United States M (1995-09-08) September 8, 1995 United States University of Louisville
31 Bastian Schweinsteiger Germany M (1984-08-01) August 1, 1984 England Manchester United Designated Player
International
Forwards
5 Yura Movsisyan Armenia F (1987-08-02) August 2, 1987 Sweden Djurgårdens IF Fotboll
8 Michael de Leeuw Netherlands F (1986-10-07) October 7, 1986 Netherlands FC Groningen International
9 Luis Solignac Argentina F (1991-02-16) February 16, 1991 United States Colorado Rapids International
17 Diego Campos Costa Rica F (1995-10-01) October 1, 1995 United States Clemson International
Loaned Out
21 Alan Gordon United States F (1981-10-16) October 16, 1981 United States Colorado Rapids
23 Nemanja Nikolić Hungary F (1987-12-31) December 31, 1987 Poland Legia Warsaw Designated Player
International
28 Elliot Collier New Zealand F (1995-02-22) February 22, 1995 United States 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, 2017El Salvador Arturo ÁlvarezMUnited States Chicago FireOption was exercised[1]
November 28, 2017Armenia David ArshakyanFUnited States Chicago FireOption was exercised[1]
November 28, 2017Uruguay Jorge BavaGKUnited States Chicago FireOption was exercised[1]
November 28, 2017United States Brandt BronicoMUnited States Chicago FireOption was exercised[1]
November 28, 2017United States Jonathan CampbellDUnited States Chicago FireOption was exercised[1]
November 28, 2017United States Stefan ClevelandGKUnited States Chicago FireOption was exercised[1]
November 28, 2017United States Drew ConnerMUnited States Chicago FireOption was exercised[1]
November 28, 2017United States Daniel JohnsonMUnited States Chicago FireOption was exercised[1]
November 28, 2017United States Dax McCartyMUnited States Chicago FireOption was exercised[1]
November 28, 2017United States Matt PolsterDUnited States Chicago FireOption was exercised[1]
November 28, 2017United States Brandon VincentDUnited States Chicago FireOption was exercised[1]
January 10, 2018United States Grant LillardDUnited States Indiana HoosiersSigned as a homegrown player through 2019 with options for 2020 and 2021[2]
January 15, 2018Mexico Richard SánchezGKUnited States Chicago FireRe-Signed after his contract was initially declined; signed through 2019 with an option for 2020.[3]
January 17, 2018Germany Bastian SchweinsteigerMUnited States Chicago FireSigned a new one-year contract after his original expired.[4]
January 18, 2018Portugal Rafael RamosDUnited States Orlando City S.C.Acquired from Orlando City, along with $100,000 in allocation money, for the rights to Fire homegrown prospect Cameron Lindley.[5]
January 19, 2018Spain Jon BakeroFUnited States Wake ForestAcquired via the 5th overall pick in the SuperDraft after signing an MLS contract[6]
January 19, 2018England Mo AdamsMUnited States SyracuseAcquired via the 10th overall pick in the SuperDraft after signing a Generation Adidas contract[6]
February 28, 2018Cameroon Tony TchaniMCanada Vancouver WhitecapsAcquired from Vancouver in exchange for $150,000 in TAM[7]
February 28, 2018Costa Rica Diego CamposFUnited States ClemsonSigned to a contract for 2018 with options for 2019, 2020, and 2021, after being selected with the 38th overall pick in the SuperDraft[8]
February 28, 2018New Zealand Elliot CollierFUnited States Loyola ChicagoSigned to a contract for 2018 with options for 2019, 2020, and 2021, after being selected with the 49th overall pick in the SuperDraft[8]
March 9, 2018United States Kevin EllisDUnited States Sporting Kansas CitySigned to a contract for 2018 with an option for 2019[9]
March 9, 2018United States Patrick McLainGKUnited States Minnesota UnitedSigned to a contract for 2018 with an option for 2019 and 2020[9]
March 16, 2018United States Alan GordonFUnited States Colorado RapidsSigned for the 2018 season[10]
July 11, 2018Serbia Aleksandar KataiMSpain Deportivo AlavésPermanently signed through 2019 with an option for 2020[11]
July 12, 2018Argentina Nicolás Del GreccoDHonduras C.D. OlimpiaSigned for an undisclosed amount through 2019 with an option for 2020[12]
July 17, 2018Canada Raheem EdwardsM/DCanada Montreal ImpactAcquired in exchange for $400k in TAM[13]
July 20, 2018Liechtenstein Nicolas HaslerD/MCanada Toronto FCAcquired in exchange for $50k in GAM and Jon Bakero[14]
September 14, 2018Armenia Yura MovsisyanFSweden Djurgårdens IF FotbollSigned off of waivers[15]

Out
Date Player Position Destination Club Notes Ref
November 18, 2017Portugal João MeiraD/MSpain Lorca FCAfter his contract expired, he announced that he wouldn't be returning to the Fire[16][1]
November 28, 2017United States Joey CalistriMUnited States St. Louis FCOption was declined[1]
November 28, 2017Croatia Matej DekovicDOption was declined[1]
November 28, 2017United States Patrick DoodyDRetiredOption was declined; on February 13, he announced his retirement.[1]
November 28, 2017United States/Peru Collin FernandezMUnited States Phoenix Rising FCOption was declined[1]
November 28, 2017Netherlands John GoossensMNetherlands ADO Den HaagOption was declined[1]
November 28, 2017United States Michael HarringtonDUnited States North Carolina FCOption was declined[1]
November 28, 2017Brazil JuninhoMMexico Club TijuanaLoan was not extended[1]
November 28, 2017Mexico Richard SánchezGUnited States Chicago FireOption was declined[1]
November 28, 2017Germany Bastian SchweinsteigerMUnited States Chicago FireOut of Contract[1]
December 10, 2017El Salvador Arturo ÁlvarezMUnited States Houston DynamoTraded to Houston for Houston's natural second round selection in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft[17]
December 18, 2018Armenia David ArshakyanFDenmark Vejle BoldklubMutually parted ways[18]
January 14, 2018Uruguay Jorge BavaGKUruguay Liverpool F.C.Mutually parted ways[19]
January 19, 2018United States Matt LampsonGKUnited States Minnesota UnitedTraded along with $175 thousand in allocation money to Minnesota for the fifth overall pick in the SuperDraft[20]
January 19, 2018Ghana David AccamMFUnited States Philadelphia UnionTraded for $1.2 million in allocation money over 2018 and 2019[21]
July 20, 2018Spain Jon BakeroFWCanada Toronto FCTraded with $50K in GAM for Nicolas Hasler[14]
August 6, 2018Portugal Rafael RamosDFNetherlands FC TwenteContract was mutually terminated[22]
August 9, 2018United States Kevin EllisDFUnited States D.C. UnitedWaived[23]
August 9, 2018Cameroon Tony TchaniMFWaived[23]

Loaned in
Date Player Position Original Club Loan Ended Ref
February 6, 2018Serbia Aleksandar KataiMFSpain Deportivo AlavésJuly 11, 2018[24]

Loaned out
Date Player Position Destination Club Loan Ended Ref
August 10, 2018Costa Rica Diego CamposFWUnited States Indy ElevenEnd of season[25]
August 10, 2018New Zealand Elliot CollierFWUnited States Indy ElevenEnd of season[25]

Unsigned trialists and draft picks

Pre-Season

Academy midfielders Gilberto Angeles and Javier Casas also trained with the Fire while they were in Florida.[32][26] Academy goalie Kyle Orciuch trained once they got back to Chicago after their travel to Bradenton as well.[33]

Technical staff
Position Staff
General Manager United States Nelson Rodríguez
Head Coach Serbia Veljko Paunović
Assistant Coach Serbia Marko Mitrović
Assistant Coach United States Eric Gehrig
Goalkeeper Coach Serbia 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 Conference semifinals[lower-alpha 1]
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 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
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) disciplinary points; 6) away goal differential; 7) away goals scored; 8) home goal differential; 9) home goals scored; 10) coin toss or drawing of lots.
Notes:
  1. Due to a change in format for the CONCACAF Champions League, the regular season conference champions did not automatically earn a berth in the 2019 CONCACAF Champions League.[34]

Overall table
Pos Team Pld W L T GF GA GD Pts Qualification[lower-alpha 1]
1 New York Red Bulls (X) 34 22 7 5 62 33 +29 71 2019 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 2019 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 2019 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) Champions; (X) Supporters' Shield winner
Notes:
  1. CONCACAF Champions League
    Selection procedure
    • Four US-based teams qualified for the 2019 CONCACAF Champions League. Due to a change in format to the tournament, two qualifiers came from each of the 2017 and 2018 MLS seasons.[35] This combined qualification method was used for the 2019 tournament only. For the 2018 season, the following teams qualified:
      1. The winner of MLS Cup 2018 (Atlanta United FC);
      2. The winner of the 2018 U.S. Open Cup (Houston Dynamo)
      Thus unlike previous seasons, the Supporters' Shield winner and the regular season conference champion that did not win the Supporters' Shield werw not guaranteed a berth. Each qualifier entered at the second phase of the tournament.
      One Canada-based team qualified for the 2019 CONCACAF Champions League, also entering at the second phase (NOTE: Canadian teams could not qualify through MLS):
      1. The winner of the 2018 Canadian Championship (Toronto FC)

Results summary
OverallHomeAway
PldPtsWLTGFGAGDWLTGFGAGDWLTGFGAGD
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 Yellow card 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 Yellow card 42' Report Gilberto Angeles Yellow card 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 Yellow card 54'
Daniel Lovitz Yellow card 70'		 Report Grant Lillard Yellow card 41'
Dax McCarty 55'
Christian Dean Yellow card 87'
Omar Castro Yellow card 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 Yellow card 50' Report Christian Dean Yellow card 39' Stadium: IMG Academy
March 3, 2018 Chicago Fire 2–1 Tulsa Roughnecks Bridgeview, Illinois
12:00 Tony Tchani Yellow card 54'
Johan Kappelhof Yellow card 57'
Nemanja Nikolić 69'
Elliot Collier 78'		 Report Jhon Pirez 16',Yellow card 66'
Michael Gamble Yellow card 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 Yellow card 36'
Schweinsteiger Yellow card 50'
Katai 70'
Nikolić 74', 82'		 Report Gutiérrez 9', 86'
Melia Yellow card 33'
Russell 44'
Sanchez Yellow card 56'
Medranda 83'		 Stadium: Toyota Park
Attendance: 14,021
Referee: Jose Carlos Rivero
March 17, 2018 2 Minnesota United 2–1 Chicago Fire Minneapolis, Minnesota
13:00 Ibarra 55'
Nicholson 66'
Mears Yellow card 90+2'		 Report Collier 58'
Ellis Yellow card 60'
Tchani Yellow card 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 Yellow card 12'
Nikolić 50'
Vincent 84'		 Report Valeri 6', Yellow card 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 Yellow card 6'
Nikolić 27', Yellow card 90+4'
Sánchez Yellow card 90'		 Report Artur Yellow card 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 Yellow card 45'
Gordon Yellow card 48'		 Report Alessandrini Yellow card 35'
Ibrahimović 45+1'
Kitchen Yellow card 77'
Cole Yellow card 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 Yellow card 68'
Wright-Phillips 81'		 Report Katai 30'
Nikolić 69' (pen.)
Adams Yellow card 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 Yellow card 80'		 Report Schweinsteiger 69'
Katai Yellow card 73'
Gordon 90+4'		 Stadium: BMO Field
Attendance: 26,331
Referee: Alan Kelly
May 5, 2018 8 Chicago Fire 1–2 Atlanta United Bridgeview, Illinois
17:00 Kappelhof Yellow card 24'
Ellis 61'
Lillard Yellow card 80'		 Report Barco 53',Yellow card 73'
Pírez Yellow card 65'
Villalba Yellow card 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 Yellow card 66'
Adams Yellow card 70'
Ellis 89'		 Report Petrasso Yellow card 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',Yellow card 57'		 Report Ellis Yellow card 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 Yellow card 38'
Sánchez Yellow card 83'
Ramos Yellow card 90+1'		 Report Quioto 4',Yellow card 79'
Elis 56' (pen.), 74'Yellow card 80'
O. García Yellow card 67'
Willis Yellow card 90+6'		 Stadium: Toyota Park
Attendance: 14,206
Referee: Silviu Petrescu
May 26, 2018 12 Orlando City 1–2 Chicago Fire Orlando, Florida
18:30 El Monir Yellow card 11'
Higuita 28'
Schuler Yellow card 40'
Rosell Yellow card 64'
Mueller Yellow card 70'
Kljestan Yellow card 90'		 Report Katai 13'
Ellis Yellow card 45+1'
Gordon 82'
Adams
Kappelhof Yellow card 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 Yellow card 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 Yellow card 57'		 Report Alashe Yellow card 45+5'
Ockford Yellow card 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 Yellow card 31'
Bunbury 82',Yellow card 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 Yellow card 56'		 Report Wilson 21' (o.g.)
Katai 24'
Schweinsteiger Yellow card 29'
Kappelhof Yellow card 45+1',Red card 84'
Campos Yellow card 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 Yellow card 87'
Tolo Yellow card 90+1'		 Report Katai 9'
Schweinsteiger Yellow card 44'
Campbell Yellow card 61'
Collier Yellow card 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 Yellow card 10'
Katai 47, 52'
Sánchez Yellow card 89'
Gordon Yellow card 90+1'		 Report Ring Yellow card 28'
Tajouri-Shradi 36'
Berget 40'		 Stadium: Toyota Park
Attendance: 15,204
Referee: Chris Penso
July 7, 2018 19 Vancouver Whitecaps 3–2 Chicago Fire Vancouver, British Columbia
21:30 Kamara 28', 72'
Mutch 47'		 Report Vincent Yellow card 10'
Nikolić 42'
Katai Yellow card 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 Yellow card 5'
Nikolić 39' (pen.)
Katai 69'
Kappelhof Yellow card 83'
Schweinsteiger 90+4'		 Report Burke Yellow card 7', 45+3', 73'
Medunjanin 31'
Accam 90+5',Yellow card 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 Yellow card 63'
Acosta 74'
Ziegler 81' (pen.)		 Report Conner Yellow card 39' Yellow-red card
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 Yellow card 45+1'
Nikolić 62'		 Report Mavinga Yellow card 41'
Giovinco 47'
Morrow Yellow card 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 Yellow card 42', 89'
Altidore 52'
Bradley Yellow card 63'
Osorio 73'		 Report Bronico Yellow card 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 Yellow card 90'		 Report Schweinsteiger 48',Yellow card 90+6'
Conner Yellow card 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 Yellow card 11'
McCarty Yellow card 42'		 Report Wright-Phillips 55'
Rzatkowski Yellow card 66'
Royer Yellow card 74'
Muyl Yellow card 76'
Murillo Yellow card 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 Yellow card 24'
Sagna Yellow card 68'
Lovitz 90+1'		 Report Corrales Yellow card 41'
Nikolić 70'
McCarty Yellow card 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 Yellow card 55'
Nikolić 67'
Katai Yellow card 69'
Schweinsteiger Yellow card 90+1'		 Report Higuaín Yellow card 65'
Hansen 87'		 Stadium: Toyota Park
Attendance: 8,551
Referee: Armando Villareal
September 16, 2018 28 Chicago Fire 4–0 Orlando City Bridgeview, Illinois
16:00 Nikolić 3', 70'
Katai 28',Yellow card 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 Yellow card 31'
Bye Yellow card 36'
Caldwell 62',Yellow card 80'
Bunbury Yellow card 69'
Penilla 70'		 Report Katai 19'
McCarty Yellow card 58'
Mancienne 67' (o.g.)
Kappelhof Yellow card 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 Yellow card 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 Yellow card 24'
Nikolić 29' (pen), Yellow card 56'
Katai 66'
Bronico Yellow card 79'
Kappelhof Yellow card 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 Yellow card 90+4'		 Stadium: Audi Field
Attendance: 20,064
Referee: Ismail Elfath
October 21, 2018 33 Atlanta United 2–1 Chicago Fire Atlanta
2:00 PM EDT Escobar 9'
Kappelhof 26' (o.g.)
Remedi Yellow card 81'		 Report de Leeuw 24'
Kappelhof Yellow card 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 Yellow card 54'
Schweinsteiger Yellow card 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 Yellow card 64'
Mohammed Abu Yellow card 71'
Alex Crognale Yellow card 107'
Jahn 114'		 Report Nemanja Nikolić 45', 109'
Rafael Ramos Yellow card 81'
Dax McCarty Yellow card 90+3'
Aleksandar Katai Yellow card 112'		 Stadium: MAPFRE Stadium
Attendance: 4,992
Referee: Marcos DeOliveira
Penalties
Valenzuela soccer ball with check mark
Jiménez soccer ball with red X
Argudo soccer ball with check mark
Abubakar soccer ball with check mark
Jahn soccer ball with check mark
Martinez soccer ball with check mark
Crognale soccer ball with check mark
Sosa soccer ball with check mark
Abu soccer ball with check mark
Opoku soccer ball with check mark
Ketterer soccer ball with red X		 soccer ball with red X Nikolić
soccer ball with check mark Katai
soccer ball with check mark McCarty
soccer ball with check mark Campos
soccer ball with check mark Schweinsteiger
soccer ball with check mark Bronico
soccer ball with check mark Lillard
soccer ball with check mark Corrales
soccer ball with check mark Ramos
soccer ball with check mark Campbell
soccer ball with check mark Sánchez
June 20, 2018 Round of 16 Atlanta United 0–1 Chicago Fire Atlanta
18:30 Leandro González Pírez Yellow card 81' Report Aleksandar Katai Yellow card 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 Yellow card 86', 90+2'
Diego Campos 90'
Tony Tchani Yellow card 90+4'		 Report Paco Craig Yellow card 62'
Paolo DelPiccolo Yellow card 64'
Kyle Smith Red card 84'
Sean Totsch Yellow card 89'
Magnus Rasmussen Red card 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 Yellow card 62' Stadium: Talen Energy Stadium
Attendance: 7,934

International Friendlies

Kickoff times are in CST (UTC−06)

August 28, 2018 Germany Bayern Munich 4–0 United States 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 Hungary Nemanja Nikolić 15 2
2 Serbia Aleksandar Katai 12 5
3 Germany Bastian Schweinsteiger 4 6
4 United States Alan Gordon 4 0
5 United States Kevin Ellis 2 4
6 Netherlands Michael de Leeuw 2 2
7 United States Brandt Bronico 1 5
8 United States Brandon Vincent 1 4
9 United States Djordje Mihailovic 1 3
10 Costa Rica Diego Campos 1 2
Canada Raheem Edwards
12 New Zealand Elliot Collier 1 1
13 Cameroon Tony Tchani 1 0
14 Netherlands Johan Kappelhof 0 4
15 United States Dax McCarty 0 3
16 United States Jonathan Campbell 0 1
United States Drew Conner
United States Matt Polster
Argentina Luis Solignac
U.S. Open Cup
Rank Player A
1 Hungary Nemanja Nikolić 4 0
2 Serbia Aleksandar Katai 1 1
3 Costa Rica Diego Campos 1 0
New Zealand Elliot Collier
5 Germany Bastian Schweinsteiger 0 2
6 Cuba Jorge Luis Corrales 0 1
Portugal Rafael Ramos
Argentina Luis Solignac
All Competitions
Rank Player A
1 Hungary Nemanja Nikolić 19 2
2 Serbia Aleksandar Katai 13 6
3 Germany Bastian Schweinsteiger 4 8
4 United States Alan Gordon 4 0
5 United States Kevin Ellis 2 4
6 Costa Rica Diego Campos 2 2
Netherlands Michael de Leeuw
8 New Zealand Elliot Collier 2 1
9 United States Brandt Bronico 1 5
10 United States Brandon Vincent 1 4
11 United States Djordje Mihailovic 1 3
12 Canada Raheem Edwards 1 2
13 Cameroon Tony Tchani 1 0
14 Netherlands Johan Kappelhof 0 4
15 United States Dax McCarty 0 3
16 Argentina Luis Solignac 0 2
17 United States Jonathan Campbell 0 1
Cuba Jorge Luis Corrales
United States Drew Conner
United States Matt Polster
Portugal Rafael Ramos

Cards
MLS Regular Season
Rank Player Yellow card Yellow card Yellow-red card Red card Matches Missed
1 Netherlands Johan Kappelhof 9 0 1 June 23 vs Seattle Sounders
June 30 vs New York City FC
2 United States Drew Conner 1 1 0 July 21 vs Toronto
3 Serbia Aleksandar Katai 6 0 0
Germany Bastian Schweinsteiger
5 Cuba Jorge Luis Corrales 5 0 0
6 United States Brandt Bronico 4 0 0
United States Kevin Ellis
United States Dax McCarty
9 England Mo Adams 3 0 0 [N 1]
Mexico Richard Sánchez
United States Brandon Vincent
12 United States Alan Gordon 2 0 0
Hungary Nemanja Nikolić
14 United States Jonathan Campbell 1 0 0
Costa Rica Diego Campos
New Zealand Elliot Collier
Netherlands Michael de Leeuw
United States Grant Lillard
Portugal Rafael Ramos
Cameroon Tony Tchani
U.S. Open Cup
Rank Player Yellow card Yellow card Yellow-red card Red card Matches Missed
1 Serbia Aleksandar Katai 3 0 0
2 New Zealand Elliot Collier 1 0 0
United States Dax McCarty
Portugal Rafael Ramos
Cameroon Tony Tchani
All Competitions
Rank Player Yellow card Yellow card Yellow-red card Red card Matches Missed
1 Netherlands Johan Kappelhof 9 0 1 June 23 vs Seattle Sounders
June 30 vs New York City FC
October 28 vs D.C. United
2 United States Drew Conner 1 1 0 July 21 vs Toronto
3 Serbia Aleksandar Katai 9 0 0
4 Germany Bastian Schweinsteiger 6 0 0
5 Cuba Jorge Luis Corrales 5 0 0
United States Dax McCarty
7 United States Brandt Bronico 4 0 0
United States Kevin Ellis
9 England Mo Adams 3 0 0 [N 1]
Mexico Richard Sánchez
United States Brandon Vincent
12 New Zealand Elliot Collier 2 0 0
United States Alan Gordon
Hungary Nemanja Nikolić
Portugal Rafael Ramos
Cameroon Tony Tchani
17 United States Jonathan Campbell 1 0 0
Costa Rica Diego Campos
Netherlands Michael de Leeuw
United States Grant Lillard

Notes

Player left during the season

  1. 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 Germany Bastian Schweinsteiger M Report
6 Germany Bastian Schweinsteiger D Report
Hungary Nemanja Nikolić Bench
8 Mexico Richard Sánchez GK Report
United States Dax McCarty Bench
13 United States Alan Gordon Bench Report
United States Patrick McLain
14 United States Alan Gordon Bench Report
15 Netherlands Johan Kappelhof D Report
16 Serbia Aleksandar Katai M Report
17 Serbia Aleksandar Katai F Report
United States Brandt Bronico Bench
18 Serbia Aleksandar Katai F Report
United States Dax McCarty Bench
26 Hungary Nemanja Nikolić Bench Report
29 Hungary Nemanja Nikolić Bench Report
31 United States Djordje Mihailovic M Report

MLS Goal of the week
Week Player Game Score Report
18 Serbia Aleksandar Katai vs New York City FC 3-2 Report
31 United States Djordje Mihailovic vs LAFC 1-0 Report

Tulsa Loanee Statistics

The Fire renewed their affiliation with Tulsa for another season on January 12, 2018.[36] 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
United States Stefan ClevelandGK
Spain Jon BakeroFWTraded to Toronto on July 20
Argentina Nicolás Del GreccoFWOfficially loaned out on August 10[37]
England Mo AdamsMF

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

Goalscoring and Assisting Record
USL Regular Season
Rank Player A
Spain Jon Bakero 2 1

Cards
USL Regular Season
Rank Player Yellow card Yellow card Yellow-red card Red card 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 United States 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. "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. "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. "Chicago Fire Soccer Club Signs 2018 MLS SuperDraft Picks Diego Campos and Elliot Collier | Chicago Fire FC".
  9. "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. "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. "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. "Chicago Fire Loan Diego Campos and Elliot Collier to Indy Eleven | Chicago Fire FC".
  26. "Chicago Fire return to Florida for third phase of preseason at IMG Academy | Chicago Fire FC".
  27. "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. Strauss, Brian (April 6, 2017). "MLS clubs have resolution over qualifying for future CCL after format change". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 6, 2017.
  35. Strauss, Brian (April 6, 2017). "MLS clubs have resolution over qualifying for future CCL after format change". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 6, 2017.
  36. "Chicago Fire Soccer Club Renews USL Affiliation with Tulsa Roughnecks FC | Chicago Fire FC".
  37. "Chicago Fire Loan Nicolas del Grecco to USL Affiliate Tulsa Roughnecks FC | Chicago Fire FC".
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.