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Alex Calabrese

Editor-in-Chief of MIR97 Media

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Class of 2024: Chicago Fire Prospects to Watch in College Soccer this Season

Class of 2024: Chicago Fire Prospects to Watch in College Soccer this Season

Though the MLS and MLS Next Pro schedules are approaching their conclusions, college soccer is only beginning. University teams around the country kicked off their schedules this week, including several with former Chicago Fire academy products. Several academy alums are scattered throughout the NCAA across several different conferences, but three

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Chicago Fire soccer player Brian Gutierrez takes the ball out of the net after scoring a goal as Fire player Justin Reynolds

Walk-Off Point: New York City FC 2, Chicago Fire 2

QUEENS, N.Y. — As the Chicago Fire’s MLS return at New York City FC reached its conclusion, it seemed that the Men in Red would leave Citi Field empty-handed. But in 16 dramatic minutes, everything flipped on its head. Late goals from team leaders Hugo Cuypers and Brian

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Klopas responds to Heitz, Shaqiri departures

Klopas responds to Heitz, Shaqiri departures

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. — There have been few weeks in recent memory that have been as eventful for the Chicago Fire as this one. And that comes without a single minute of soccer being played. Monday morning started with the bombshell news that sporting director Georg Heitz had chosen to step down

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Chicago Fire trade for Ari Lassiter

Chicago Fire trade for Ari Lassiter

The Chicago Fire have traded for CF Montréal's Ari Lassiter, the club confirmed this afternoon. The trade comes six hours after the club confirmed the departure of Designated Player Xherdan Shaqiri, freeing up a senior roster slot. In exchange for Lassiter, the Fire sent $75,000 in General

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Source: Xherdan Shaqiri, Chicago Fire Agree to Mutual Termination

Source: Xherdan Shaqiri, Chicago Fire Agree to Mutual Termination

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. — The Chicago Fire and Xherdan Shaqiri have agreed a mutual contract termination effective immediately, sources tell MIR97 Media. The agreement comes hours before tonight's trade deadline and will open up a senior roster slot. Shaqiri's departure also frees up an international roster slot but

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Georg Heitz resigns as Chicago Fire sporting director

Georg Heitz resigns as Chicago Fire sporting director

Georg Heitz will depart the Chicago Fire at the conclusion of the 2024 season, the club confirmed in a statement today. Heitz says that he has chosen to resign for personal reasons and will return to his native Switzerland, remaining on FC Lugano's board of directors. “Georg recently

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Georgios Koutsias' tucked-in shirt is nothing new

Georgios Koutsias' tucked-in shirt is nothing new

Life is pretty normal for Georgios Koutsias in Chicago. 15 months on from his arrival from PAOK, the 20-year-old has settled well in the United States, learning English at an impressive pace while still finding Greek restaurants and coffee in the Windy City. But earlier this summer, he

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What do the Chicago Fire need in this transfer window?

What do the Chicago Fire need in this transfer window?

The MLS secondary transfer window is officially open, and the Chicago Fire have less than a month to make changes before the roster is frozen for the rest of the year. In the winter, the Fire front office revamped the team’s back line by bringing in Allan Arigoni from

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Fire gear up for Cincy trip: "We want to be aggressive"

Fire gear up for Cincy trip: "We want to be aggressive"

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. — Arguably the most difficult week of the Chicago Fire’s 2024 schedule is in full swing as the Men in Red travel to southern Ohio this week to take on first-placed FC Cincinnati just three days before a road test against second-placed Inter Miami on Saturday.

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Forgettable: Chicago Fire 0, New York City FC 0

Forgettable: Chicago Fire 0, New York City FC 0

CHICAGO, Ill. — Some soccer games are forgettable. This one could probably have been summarized in an email. The 14th-placed Chicago Fire played their final MLS game until late August against New York City FC in front of over 25,000 fans, but the game did not match the crowd’

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Close in shot of Chicago Fire player Xherdan Shaqiri during a game

Xherdan Shaqiri not back with Fire after Euros

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. — Chicago Fire midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri has not yet returned from the European Championships. The Designated Player was a part of the Swiss Nati team that reached the quarterfinals of the Euros, but he was not training with the Fire in their first training session this week. The Fire

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Fire II players support Tchétchao: "It's beautiful"

Fire II players support Tchétchao: "It's beautiful"

David Tchétchao made a big leap when he left his native Bénin for Chicago Fire II this spring. But after a strong start to life in the United States, the exciting 20-year-old winger received nightmare news last month — just eight games into the MLS Next Pro season, he

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Mihailovic, Slonina called up for Olympics

Mihailovic, Slonina called up for Olympics

The United States are headed to the Olympics in men's soccer for the first time since 2008, and two Chicago Fire academy graduates will be a part of the 18-man squad. Djordje Mihailovic of Lemont and Gaga Slonina of Addison will be those representatives, though neither are

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