CHICAGO – Less than a week after publicly welcoming Robert Lewandowski and handing over his #9 shirt, Hugo Cuypers is set to leave the Chicago Fire. But according to Head Coach and Director of Football Gregg Berhalter, it was Cuypers – not the club – who initiated the sudden exit.
Berhalter revealed Monday that Cuypers expressed a desire to leave, with C.F. Monterrey emerging as both his preferred destination and the only club to submit a formal offer. The deal has been agreed to in principle and is expected to be finalized imminently.
“I think we want to be a club that looks after our players,” Berhalter said in his Monday press availability. “We want to be a club that is also shrewd with our decision-making. Hugo came to us and expressed a desire to go elsewhere, and for us, it was finding good value in that deal.”
“In reality, if we have an opportunity to strengthen other areas, we can perhaps come out on the better end of this. His contract [expires] in 18 months. He has a one-year option. For us, it was trying to get value. We paid a big sum for him and to try to recoup some of those expenses and use those resources to strengthen the other areas was our idea, and at the same time, helping a player in his wishes.”
Two Strikers to One
Cuypers’ exit developed rapidly over the weekend; only a week earlier, it had seemed unlikely. In Lewandowski’s introductory press conference on Tuesday, Berhalter continued to echo his sentiment that the two strikers could not only play together, but thrive. Had Thursday’s match against the Vancouver Whitecaps not been postponed, it seems likely the two would have featured together at some point.
Berhalter’s words weren’t the only thing suggesting that the plan was to keep Cuypers for the rest of the season. The striker himself publicly handed the #9 shirt to Lewandowski, taking on the #99, and releasing a statement that he “really hoped (he and Lewandowski) could achieve a lot of things together on the pitch” and that he was “excited for the club to welcome (Lewandowski) to Chicago”. In the end, that duo lasted for just a few training sessions.
“We were excited about trying a 4-4-2,” Berhalter said Monday. “We thought it had potential. Alas, we never actually get to see it on the field but it was good in concept.”
Prior to the World Cup break, the Fire had experimented with something resembling a 4-4-2 shape, and at times, played without a striker altogether. When a second striker was used (especially in an out-of-possession shape), winger Maren Haile-Selassie and midfielder Robin Lod were among the main options to play up front. With Lewandowski still ramping up to full fitness, and potentially not able to play a full 90 minutes yet, those are options that Berhalter may rely upon in the coming weeks.
“Robert is going to have to play, that's why he's here,” Berhalter said. “He's here to play games, and we are going to get him as much game time as he can handle until these next couple weeks, next couple months. We also played at times without Hugo and we played times without a #9. There's probably three or four games that we started without a real #9. So we are going to find a way to get it done.”
Lewandowski returned Sunday night from a brief New York City trip for the World Cup final and trained fully on Monday. He will be available to make his MLS debut against Inter Miami on Wednesday.
Shifting Transfer Focus
From a roster standpoint, Cuypers’ departure opens up a world of possibilities for this transfer window that did not exist with him on the team. MLS teams are only allowed to spend freely on three Designated Players, meaning that between Lewandowski, Cuypers, and star French winger Jonathan Bamba, the Fire were more restricted with who else they could sign. Now, with an open slot, there is potential to sign one or two players to bolster the team in different areas.
“If you look at our team right now, it's the same except for Robert switching out for Hugo, and we've done fine up until then,” Berhalter said. “You would think, based on that equation, we would be better. But I don't think that's stopping us from wanting to get even better from there… we want to be a team that's competing. So we are going to do everything we can to do that.”
“I think we want to add quality people, quality players to the roster. That's our focus. We know (Lewandowski) is a big piece of our team. We expect him to be the focal point of our attack, and we want to surround him with players that can help him be the most successful and help the team be the most successful.”
Most notably, former FC Bayern München midfielder Leon Goretzka, who is currently a free agent, is a target. While it remains to be seen how likely that move is to materialize given his lofty salary demands and likely European interest, the fact that the Fire are chasing a fairly big-name central midfielder indicates where their priorities may lie.
Berhalter did not directly address Goretzka when asked about him Monday, but acknowledged that Lewandowski’s experience and relationships could inform the Fire’s recruitment process. Goretzka played alongside him at FC Bayern, winning the Champions League together in 2020, and would be a potentially game-changing midfield addition at the MLS level, somewhat akin to Sergio Busquets accompanying Lionel Messi upon his arrival at Inter Miami.
“Robert has a ton of experience,” Berhalter said. “He's played with a number of players. He knows a lot of players. I think it would be foolish not to get his sentiment on potential candidates. Of course we ask him, just like we ask all the other players who have played with a player and know them throughout their journey.”
“The most important thing for us is getting the character side of it right. We have a great group of guys and a hard working group of guys and we need someone to come in who fits into that mold.”
The Fire World Reacts
The decision to sell Cuypers has been met with a variety of reactions throughout MLS circles. Given the Belgian’s red-hot form in 2026 and status as a clear fan favorite, the response from the Fire faithful has not been overwhelmingly positive; a poll of 337 fans conducted by Chicago Fire Daily found that 69% of respondents would have preferred Cuypers to Lewandowski if given the choice.
Of course, the moment Lewandowski’s first goal hits the back of the net, that sentiment may quickly be softened. The same can be said for the moment the Fire unveil their third DP, should that be how things unfold. However, after an excellent first half of the season that has the Fire sitting in 3rd place, it does indicate that there is at least some pressure on the situation, and that Berhalter’s center forward gamble simply has to succeed.
Within the team, Cuypers’ soon-to-be-former teammates were quick to recognize him for his contributions to the club, both on and off the field. Returning World Cup players Chris Brady and Joel Waterman both spoke to the media on Monday, praising the 29-year-old striker as he leaves the club.
“Off the field, I'm really appreciative of the leadership perspective he's brought over the last two and a half years,” U.S. #3 goalkeeper Brady said, speaking for the first time since his World Cup adventure. “A lot of guys began to look up to his sort of leadership style knowing that he was going to give one hundred percent in training and every game. Like Gregg said this morning, you knew what you were going to get out of him every day. We can't thank him enough for all that he's done for us.”
Similarly, Waterman echoed that sentiment that Cuypers’ presence in the team would be missed, even if he isn’t necessarily the most vocal leader.
“(Cuypers) set the standard for the rest of the guys to do the same,” the Canadian international Waterman said. “You guys obviously got to see amazing goals and the amazing play that he put on the pitch but that's because of the preparation he's done behind the scenes. He will be missed a lot as a leader on the team, and he's an amazing guy.”
“Obviously, these transfer windows are tough for teams and individuals because players come and go. It's probably the hardest as a professional to say goodbye to people that you played with and have become really close with, but that's the nature of football. But what he did for this club both on and off the field is amazing.”
