CHICAGO (March 9, 2020)– Chicago Fire FC announced today that the Club has signed Academy product Brian Gutierrez to a Homegrown Player contract. Gutiérrez, 16, has been a standout in the Academy since 2015 and marks the 16th Homegrown signing for the Fire in Club history. He is under contract with the Fire until 2023 with a Club option for 2024.
“Brian is a promising young player who we look forward to working with at the first team level,” said Head Coach Raphael Wicky. “This signing is a testament to the hard work that Brian, his family and the Fire Academy staff have put in throughout the years.”
In his time with the Fire Academy, Gutiérrez has appeared in 79 matches (73 starts), while tallying 28 goals and 39 assists. Under Academy coach Jeff DeGroot, Gutiérrez developed into one of the most talented midfield prospects in the United States.
“I’m excited for Brian because he’s a talented and creative player,” said Chicago Fire FC Academy Technical Director Cedric Cattenoy. “He’s improved a tremendous amount over the last two years, and I think he’s going to see continued success in his development within the first team environment.”
On the international scene, Gutiérrez has been a mainstay since 2017 on the U.S. Boys’ Youth National Teams. At the 2019 Nike International Friendlies, Gutiérrez earned an assist in the finals to lift the U.S. U-16 Boys’ National Team to a comeback victory against Turkey.
The Chicago Fire play a third consecutive away game on Saturday, March 14, taking on Orlando City SC at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Florida. Scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. CT, the match will be broadcast live on WGN-TV and ESPN+ and aired in Spanish on TUDN Radio WRTO 1200 AM. The pregame show, presented by CIBC, will begin on ESPN+ at 6:15 p.m. CT.
Chicago will officially make its return to Soldier Field on Saturday, March 21 when the team hosts Atlanta United FC in its 2020 home opener at 2:30 p.m. CT (Univision). Single-match tickets for all 17 of the Fire’s home games are available by calling 888-MLS-FIRE or by clicking here.
Transaction: Chicago Fire Football Club signs Brian Gutiérrez as a Homegrown Player on March 9, 2020.
Name: Brian Gutiérrez
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 140 lbs.
Date of Birth: June 17, 2003
Birthplace: Berwyn, Ill.
Hometown: Burbank, Ill.
Citizenship: United States of America
High School: Reavis High School
