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Alex Calabrese

Editor-in-Chief of MIR97 Media

𝕏 LinkedIn Bluesky Chicago, USA
Opposition Report: The Philadelphia Union

Opposition Report: The Philadelphia Union

The Chicago Fire will finally open their 2024 season tomorrow when they take on the star-studded Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park, a place they haven't won in over a decade. To help preview the big game, we spoke to Union beat reporter José Núñez, who answered our

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Xherdan Shaqiri will look to return to his best after a down year in 2023.

MIR97's 2024 Chicago Fire Season Preview

The 2024 MLS season finally commences this week, and after a thrilling offseason, the Chicago Fire are finally ready to kick off a new year. This season is marked by the returns of sporting director Georg Heitz and head coach Frank Klopas, as well as the arrivals of star signings

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How the Chicago Fire achieved roster compliance

How the Chicago Fire achieved roster compliance

Some late roster moves by the Chicago Fire will make the team roster compliant in time for Friday’s 8 p.m. deadline, sources tell MIR97 Media. Goalkeeper Spencer Richey will move to the Supplemental Roster, while midfielder Gastón Giménez will be given a Designated Player tag. Giménez, who was

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Georg Heitz is "Correcting the Whole Thing" for Fire's 2024

Georg Heitz is "Correcting the Whole Thing" for Fire's 2024

When the Chicago Fire opted to re-sign Georg Heitz and Frank Klopas as sporting director and head coach last fall, the response from the fans was not the fondest. With the team holding the longest active playoff drought in MLS, a move for more of the same was met

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Source: Justin Reynolds joining Lugano on loan

Source: Justin Reynolds joining Lugano on loan

Chicago Fire homegrown Justin Reynolds is joining sister club FC Lugano on a short-term loan until the end of the Swiss Super League season, sources tell MIR97 Media. The defender will help the Bianconeri in their push for European qualification. The deal to send Reynolds is a development-focused

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Kacper Przybyłko offloaded to FC Lugano

Kacper Przybyłko offloaded to FC Lugano

Chicago Fire forward Kacper Przybyłko has left the club, the club confirmed in a statement this morning. Przybyłko will sign with sister club FC Lugano in the Swiss Super League, freeing up a Senior Roster spot and getting his expensive salary off the books. Moving Przybyłko had been among the

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Fire announce signing of Kellyn Acosta

Fire announce signing of Kellyn Acosta

The Chicago Fire tonight announced the free agent signing of longtime U.S. international Kellyn Acosta. The midfielder signs to a TAM deal. Acosta has been a target for the Fire dating back to the fall, with the 28-year-old viewed among the team’s top targets in the

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Source: Chicago Fire to land Kellyn Acosta

Source: Chicago Fire to land Kellyn Acosta

Kellyn Acosta is set to sign as a new Chicago Fire player, sources tell MIR97 Media. The 28-year-old central midfielder was out of contract with Los Angeles FC after helping them reach back-to-back MLS Cups in 2022 and 2023. Acosta, who has represented the United States

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Chicago Fire soccer player Arnaud Souqeut advances the ball during a soccer game against St. Louis City FC

Where the Chicago Fire roster stands following winter signings

Less than three weeks out from MLS Opening Day, the Chicago Fire’s roster transactions are far from complete. While Heitz, Klopas, and the front office have been incredibly busy on the transfer front this offseason, they still have plenty of business dealing and roster gymnastics to do in the

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Fire announce signing of Hugo Cuypers

Fire announce signing of Hugo Cuypers

The Chicago Fire finally have their DP #9. Hugo Cuypers, who turns 27 tomorrow, will be the man to be the Fire's new star forward, arriving in a blockbuster club-record move from Belgian club Gent. The signing is among the most ambitious in team history as it

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Fire closing in on Hugo Cuypers in club-record deal

Fire closing in on Hugo Cuypers in club-record deal

The Chicago Fire are close to completing a club-record deal to sign Belgian center forward Hugo Cuypers to a Designated Player contract, sources confirmed to MIR97 Media. Tom Bogert of The Athletic reported the story first. Cuypers, 26, joined his current club Gent a year and a half ago,

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Source: Chase Gasper traded to the Fire

Source: Chase Gasper traded to the Fire

Left back Chase Gasper is being traded from the Houston Dynamo to the Chicago Fire, sources tell MIR97 Media. The one-time U.S. international will take up a supplemental roster slot, and won't count against the salary cap for the next two seasons. Houston will receive a

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The latest on the Fire's offseason targets as preseason looms

The latest on the Fire's offseason targets as preseason looms

The Chicago Fire’s preseason is now just one week away, but the club’s offseason moves are far from over. After a few weeks of relative silence, the rumor mill is once again churning, and business is happening behind the scenes to finish constructing the roster ahead of the

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