The Bonfire – Episode 401: Mailbag and Start Season 4
John and Tim gather around The Bonfire to kick off Season 4 with a mailbag!
Tim Hotze
Chicago, IL
Listen In: Podcasts Arrive on The Site
You might have noticed a new look and you can now listen to podcasts directly from the website. As we approach our fourth season, we're here's what to expect from our podcasts.
9 New Year’s Resolutions for the Fire in 2026
In 2025, the Chicago Fire took several major steps forward in Gregg Berhalter’s first season with the club. On the pitch, the team 23 points in the standings and returned to the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2017, propelled by record numbers from academy products and
What Robin Lod Signing Means for Fire’s Roster
The Chicago Fire have landed one of the top players available in free agency, bringing on Finnish international Robin Lod from Minnesota United, where his 2026 option was declined. That marks the third year in a row where the Fire have brought on one of the top players available to
Chicago Fire To Compete in 2026 Leagues Cup
The Chicago Fire will be one of 18 MLS teams competing in the 2026 Leagues Cup. The Leagues Cup organizers announced the tournament’s format and dates. The announcement confirmed the Fire’s participation – and that the tournament will be taking place, despite schedule congestion due to the pause for
Formations, Positions of Need: Current Chicago Fire Depth Chart
The moves of U22 initiative players Brian Gutiérrez and Georgios Koutsias out has created space on the Fire’s roster – but also made clear the need for reinforcement in key areas of the pitch for the Fire as the team prepares for the 2026 MLS campaign. At the same time,
Mbokazi in, Gutiérrez and Koutsias out: Updated Chicago Fire Roster
It has been six weeks to the day since the Chicago Fire’s season ended, and one week since Inter Miami’s MLS Cup victory. In that time, the Fire’s front office, led by Gregg Berhalter in his capacity of director of football for the team, has been busy,
Chicago Fire to play in 2026 U.S. Open Cup
The U.S. Soccer Federation released the format, schedule and participants for the 2026 U.S. Open Cup and once again, the Chicago Fire will be participants. In the 111th edition of the tournament, a total of 80 teams, including 32 amateur clubs, will participate in the tournament proper, which
2025 MLS Fan Survey: Supporters share views on schedule shift, roster rules and more
Editorial note: MIR97 Media partnered with 21 independent media organizations from around the league to survey fans. Ben Wright of SixOneFiveSoccer.com spearheaded the effort and wrote this analysis of fan sentiments. Our thanks to our readers who took time to respond to the survey. We will work to ensure
MLS Announces Schedule, Format Changes: Impact on Fire
Major League Soccer owners convened in Palm Beach, Florida voted today to shift the league’s season from an annual spring-to-fall calendar to a European-like fall-spring calendar. The change will go into place in 2027, following the league’s 2026 season. In the announcement, MLS Commissioner Don Garber also revealed
Chicago Fire-Philadelphia Union Playoff Game Temporarily Stopped Due to Homophobic Chant
Bridgeview, Ill. — A rough game on the pitch for the Chicago Fire at SeatGeek was rendered uglier by actions from some fans in the stadium. The game had to be momentarily stopped twice late in the second half of the match by referee Jon Freemon due to an anti-gay chant
Chicago Fire Fall To Philadelphia, Ending Record-Breaking Season
The 2025 Chicago Fire FC’s season is over. The Fire fell 3-0 to the Philadelphia Union at SeatGeek Stadium, exiting their first-round series after two defeats in a row to the Supporters Shielder winners. Despite the defeat, however, the first season of the Gregg Berhalter era in Chicago should
“We’ve earned the right to have this pressure:” Chicago Fire vs Philadelphia Union Round 1, Game 2 Preview
The storyline writes itself. From this point on, the Chicago Fire’s season ends one of two ways: In defeat, or lifting MLS Cup. Their next test is Saturday afternoon, at home at SeatGeek Stadium, in what will be the team’s final home game of the year, unless they
MLS Salary Data: Chicago Fire Up to Fifth-Highest Spenders in League
In a biannual tradition, the MLS Players Association has released the base and total guaranteed compensation for every player contract in the league. According to their data, the Fire have the fifth highest wage bill in MLS, up from seventh over the summer. While release in June gave a wealth
5 Things We Learned: Philadelphia Union 2(4) - Chicago Fire 2(2)
1. After an eight year interval without a playoff game, the Chicago Fire played their second postseason game in four days, this time on the road in Chester, Pennsylvania as they took on the Supporters Shield-winning Philadelphia Union in game one of the best-of-three series. Both teams were held scoreless
2025 End-of-Season Fan Survey
Even though the Chicago Fire are still in action, with a crucial game coming up at SeatGeek Stadium this Saturday, we’re nearing November and the MLS regular season is firmly in the rear-view mirror. We wanted to hear from you on a variety of topics – everything from your experience