Chicago Fire

Chicago Fire

Fire set for rare repeat on artificial turf

Sunday’s match at Atlanta United is the Fire’s second straight match on a non-grass playing surface.

By Brian Sandalow

Chicago Fire

Fire to play without Xherdan Shaqiri, which might not be a bad thing

Over four games, Shaqiri hasn’t played a full 90 minutes, and his numbers are underwhelming.

By Brian Sandalow

Chicago Fire

Messi or no Messi, Fire using Inter Miami match to entice new fans

The Fire are offering discounts for 2024 tickets to fans attending Wednesday’s match, regardless of whether the injured Lionel Messi plays.

By Brian Sandalow

Lionel Messi has already made a huge impact on MLS, which could eventually help the Fire.

Chicago Fire

Lionel Messi can boost the Fire, even if he doesn’t play at Soldier Field

Messi joining MLS has been a boon for the league and could lead to looser roster rules that could help the Fire capitalize on Joe Mansueto’s wealth.

By Brian Sandalow

Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi looks on from a private box as his team played the Houston Dynamo in the U.S. Open Cup final. An injury kept Messi out of the lineup.

Chicago Fire

Despite his absence, Lionel Messi keeps hold on American fans

But an injury puts an appearance at Soldier Field next week in doubt.

By Anne M. Peterson | AP and Tim Reynolds | AP

Coach Frank Klopas and the Fire are still in playoff contention, but a four-game skid hasn’t helped their chances.

Chicago Fire

Struggling Fire know turnaround must start now

The Fire have been outscored 11-1 in their last four games and look nothing like the team that surged into playoff contention before the Leagues Cup.

By Brian Sandalow

Ryan Reynolds, King Charles III, Queen Camilla and Rob McElhenney pose with the Wrexham A.F.C. players in the second season premiere of “Welcome to Wrexham.”

Movies and TV

‘Welcome to Wrexham’ keeps passing ball to the fascinating players and fans

As celebrity owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney bring money and attention to underdog Welsh footballers, they avoid stealing focus on the team’s charming documentary show.

By Richard Roeper

Goalie Chris Brady and the Fire are trying to snap a three-game skid Saturday at D.C. United.

Chicago Fire

Slumping Fire looking to regain winning form

Entering play Saturday at D.C. United, the Fire have dropped three consecutive games since the end of the Leagues Cup.

By Brian Sandalow

Chicago Fire

Fire must show resilience after loss to Orlando

The Fire can’t afford too many more blips like the ones they suffered against Orlando if they want to move up or just stay above the playoff line.

By Brian Sandalow

Carlos Teran and the Fire host Orlando City on Sunday.

Chicago Fire

Fire entering final, critical stretch of season

Sunday’s game against Orlando City represents the beginning of an 11-match period that could end with the Fire reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2017.

By Brian Sandalow

Chicago Fire

Despite elimination, Leagues Cup not a loss for Fire

To get to the playoffs, the Fire will have to play at a high level against good teams in challenging conditions. Perhaps the Leagues Cup helped get the Fire ready for a stretch that will define whether 2023 was a success or failure.

By Brian Sandalow

Chicago Fire

How the Fire can maintain their MLS surge

The Fire must keep three goals in mind as they seek to build off their run of five wins in six MLS matches in their quest to return to the postseason.

By Brian Sandalow

Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund line up before Wednesday’s match.

Chicago Fire

Gabriel Slonina sits, Chelsea scores late to tie Dortmund 1-1

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino wanted to play incumbent starting goalie Kepa Arrizabalaga for the full 90 minutes in the team’s final preseason friendly, which drew 48,183 to Soldier Field.

By Brian Sandalow

Gabriel Slonina and Chelsea will face Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday night at Soldier Field.

Chicago Fire

Gabriel Slonina taking notes on Chelsea teammates’ preparation

On tour with Chelsea as they prepare for the upcoming season, Slonina is watching as veteran colleagues get themselves ready for the grind of a Premier League schedule.

By Brian Sandalow

Chicago Fire

Could Frank Klopas return as Fire coach next year?

When Klopas was tabbed to replace the sacked Ezra Hendrickson, most assumed he would lead the Fire for the rest of the season before a new coach was hired.

By Brian Sandalow

Chicago Fire

Fire in position for memorable finish

Thanks to five wins in their last six games, the Fire have climbed to eighth place in the Eastern Conference, and figure to be playing meaningful matches down the stretch

By Brian Sandalow

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice drives the ball in the second half of the MLS All-Star Game.

Chicago Fire

Arsenal rolls over MLS All-Stars 5-0

New Gunners midfielder Declan Rice came on as a second-half substitute.

By Noah Trister | Associated Press

Djordje Mihailovic began his career with the Fire.

Chicago Fire

Djordje Mihailovic a different person since leaving Fire, Chicago

Living in and learning new cultures, such as in Montreal and the Netherlands, will do that to somebody, and Mihailovic has learned about himself as he has hopped around the globe.

By Brian Sandalow

Chicago Fire

Fire try to rebuild momentum after loss

Saturday’s match against Nashville SC starts a three-game homestand for the Fire, who only have two league wins this year in Chicago.

By Brian Sandalow

Chicago Fire

After two road wins, Fire looking to ride momentum

Before victories at Portland and Kansas City, the Fire’s 2023 season resembled their usual slog, one that was destined to end at the final whistle of the regular season.

By Brian Sandalow

Chicago Fire

Fire defender Arnaud Souquet adjusting to new environment

Souquet, 31, moved from French side Montpellier to the Fire during the offseason.

By Brian Sandalow

MLS’ Seattle Sounders will be part of the 2025 Club World Cup tournament, which will be held in the United States.

Soccer

United States will host 2025 Club World Cup soccer tournament

Real Madrid, Manchester City and Chelsea already earned places as recent Champions League winners for the expanded tournament lineup. MLS’ Seattle Sounders also are in the lineup.

By Graham Dunbar | AP

Chicago Fire

Gabriel Slonina taking fast-forward to adulthood in stride

Now with Chelsea, the former Fire goalkeeper is developing both on and off the field.

By Brian Sandalow

The Fire’s Gastón Giménez dribbles the ball down the field Wednesday night against the Timbers.

Chicago Fire

Kamara gives Fire 2-1 victory over Timbers

Kamara scored his 144th career goal, moving him within one of Landon Donovan (145) for second on MLS’ career scoring list. Chris Wondolowski is the all-time leader with 171.

By Sun-Times wires

Soccer

Lionel Messi will make his first Inter Miami appearance on July 21

The Argentinian great’s first game in Fort Lauderdale would be against Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup.

By Associated Press

Chicago Fire

Break comes at right time for struggling Fire

From May 6 through last Saturday, the Fire competed in 11 matches. The tight schedule forced them to rotate the squad, and injuries made coach Frank Klopas’ job even tougher.

By Brian Sandalow

Chicago Fire

Fire can’t let U.S. Open Cup loss linger

To make something of a season that’s already teetering, the Fire must respond to adversity much better than they did against the Dynamo.

By Brian Sandalow

Soccer

Lionel Messi will join MLS’ Inter Miami

“After winning the World Cup and not being able to return to Barcelona, it was my turn to go to the league of the United States to live football in another way,” Messi said.

By Tim Reynolds | Associated Press

LAFC defender Jesús Murillo, left, challenges León midfielder Lucas Di Yorio for the ball.

Soccer

León beats LAFC to take CONCACAF Champions League crown

LAFC won both the Supporters’ Shield and the MLS Cup last fall, but fell short of an unprecedented treble for an MLS club.

By Greg Beacham | Associated Press

Frank Klopas won the U.S. Open Cup as a player and is trying to do the same as a coach.

Chicago Fire

Frank Klopas, Fire looking to make more U.S. Open Cup history

The Fire are proud of their U.S. Open Cup pedigree, but as they look ahead to a Tuesday quarterfinal, the franchise is trying to reverse a recent slide in the competition.

By Brian Sandalow

Chicago Fire

Should the Fire have allowed Chris Brady and Brian Gutierrez to play in U-20 World Cup?

When it was confirmed the Fire wouldn’t release Chris Brady or Brian Gutierrez to play for the United States in the tournament, the decision brought an array of opinions. As always, there are two sides to this argument.

By Brian Sandalow

Chicago Fire

Fabian Herbers, Mauricio Pineda playing valuable roles for Fire

While neither is a star, Herbers and Pineda provide value because coach Frank Klopas can trust them in numerous spots in the formation.

By Brian Sandalow