Maren Haile-Selassie notched another goal and assist on Tuesday, bringing his season totals in each category to 9. He’s leading the Chicago Fire in goal contributions this season, so it was even more surprising that his contract seemed set to expire at year's end.
That’s no longer the case. Head Coach Gregg Berhalter confirmed on Thursday that Haile-Selassie won’t be going anywhere
“We’ve reached an agreement with Maren, and he’s going to be staying a Chicago Fire player, and we’re really happy,” Berhalter said when MIR97 Media asked about Haile-Selassie's future. “Not only is he a good player, he’s a tremendous person. He’s one of these guys that helps bind the team together, can play multiple positions. So for us, this long-term contract extension is a great sign for the club.”
Haile-Selassie's extension is perhaps the most deserved new contract of the season. The Swiss winger joined on loan from sister club FC Lugano in 2023, and the deal became permanent a year later; he now has 51 total goal contributions for the club, the sixth most of any player ever, surpassing Chris Armas and Justin Mapp in the charts.
The most impressive part is that Haile-Selassie has done all that without making any spot on the field his own. In and out of the starting lineup since arriving – he has started just 53% of MLS games since 2023 – Haile-Selassie has been asked to play nearly every position possible, including right wing, left wing, center forward, second striker, attacking midfielder, central midfield, right wing back, left wing back, right back, and left back.
Now 27, Haile-Selassie's new contract will keep him with the Fire for the rest of his prime years.
“I think it’s a great example of just being a team player and being in it for the good of the group,” Berhalter said. “Maren will adapt for what the team needs at the time. There were times when he wasn’t playing, and then he had to stay positive and keep working, and he did that.”
“One of the challenges with Maren was the coaching staff believing in him, really pushing him for more because we believe he had another level. And I think now you’re starting to see that as well.”
