CHICAGO(March 22, 2021) – Chicago Fire FC today announced that the Club has hired Kevin Minkus as Director, Football Analytics.
Minkus will be responsible for building the newly created football analytics group and will ensure that the Club’s football data processes are efficient and reliable. He will report to Sporting Director Georg Heitz.
“We’re very excited to officially welcome Kevin to the Club,” said Heitz. “We have been really pleased with his work for us as a consultant during the last two years and having him join in a full-time capacity will allow us to further expand our approach to data and analytics.”
Minkus will assist the technical staff with opposition scouting and analysis of transfer targets and player profiles. Minkus will also lead benchmarking and tracking of the Club’s game model and style of play. Additionally, he will assist the Fire’s Performance Staff to contribute to the design and delivery of all analytical support for the first team, including trainings, matches and individual player support.
Minkus has worked as a consultant for several professional sports teams and leagues since 2016. Prior to joining the Fire in a full-time capacity, Minkus consulted for the Club during the 2019 and 2020 MLS seasons. In his most recent role, Minkus worked as a Data Scientist for Monetate, a software company that provides e-commerce solutions for online retailers, from 2017-2021.
Minkus graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Science in Math and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics in 2015. In 2018, his team was awarded the grand prize at the inaugural U.S. Soccer Hackathon for their project that modeled player decision making in the final third. In addition, Minkus has served as a contributor for American Soccer Analysis since 2015.
Major League Soccer recently announced that the Fire will face the New England Revolution in its 2021 home opener at Soldier Field on Saturday, April 17. The match against the Revolution is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. CT and will be broadcast live on WGN-TV and Univision Radio Chicago. For more information on the home opener, click here.
On the night of the home opener, at 7:00 p.m. CT, WGN-TV will exclusively air “Make No Little Plans: Chicago Fire FC 2021 Season Preview.” The all-access show will chronicle the Club’s offseason moves, preseason training camp in Florida and the many storylines surrounding the Club as it begins its second season at Soldier Field.
