The Chicago Fire have traded Joel Waterman to the Portland Timbers in a move made official this afternoon.
The Fire received $100,000 in General Allocation Money, with a possiblity of up to $100,000 GAM in add-ons if certain performance triggers are met.
Waterman, 30, joined the Fire from CF Montréal shortly before the MLS trade deadline last August. Now, a little over a year on, he’s leaving at the same point, with the deal completed earlier this week and well before the September 2nd cutoff.
Waterman’s exit was prompted by the arrival of Andreas Hanche-Olsen from Mainz 05. The Norwegian central defender was signed to be a starter, and once he’s ready to go, he is expected to start alongside Jack Elliott in central defense.
Though he was never brought in to be a first choice, Waterman started the last nine games of 2025 as the Fire returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2017. Waterman started all three playoff games. This season, the Canadian international has 11 starts and four substitute appearances.
Despite starting eight of the ten Fire games he was available for since returning from his second World Cup with Canada, Berhalter decided that the moment was right to upgrade, and with hopes that Mbekezeli Mbokazi will be able to return to play before the end of the season, the Fire could have as many as four center backs for the final stretch.
With the Fire still awaiting Hanche-Olsen's arrival, they also have Sam Rogers as an option in defense. Rogers started the last MLS game against Seattle, demoting Waterman to the bench after the Canadian had played the full 90 minutes against CF Monterrey on Tuesday.
The move is a helpful one from a cap standpoint, particularly considering the Fire's other business this summer. Given that Waterman would be fourth on the depth chart if all center backs are available, his cap hit was far too large.
Waterman's also exit vacates an international slot, which is significant given they have already signed two foreign players, Anzor Mekvabishvili and Hanche-Olsen. The Fire also signed Robert Lewandowski earlier in the summer, who requires an international slot. The first team also added Americans Johan Gómez and Noah Allen shortly before the deadline.
Waterman finishes his Fire career with 29 appearances, two goals, and one assist.
