The 2023 Chicago Fire season is here at last, as the team returns to Soldier Field to host New York City FC in the Club's home opener at 7:30 p.m. CT.
Head coach Ezra Hendrickson begins his second season at the helm with a visit from the 2022 Eastern Conference finalists under the guidance of head coach Nick Cushing. NYCFC played their first match of the season last week, and suffered a 2-0 defeat on the road at Nashville SC. With several key members of the squad returning and a few new faces dotting the opening day roster, Hendrickson and the Fire's campaign towards the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs begins tonight along the lakefront.
Tune in as the Fire make their MLS Season Pass debut live on the Apple TV app at 7:30 p.m. CT. Ahead of kickoff, get the lowdown on tonight's Fire starting XI and bench:
- Tonight's 20-man roster includes five of the team's offseason signings. That includes the starting XI debut for French defender Arnaud Souquet, who was acquired from Ligue 1 side Montpellier HSC on Jan. 9. Forward Kei Kamara, midfielder Maren Halie-Selassie, defender Jonathan Dean, and goalkeeper Jeff Gal will be available off the bench this evening.
- Following the late season transfer of goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina to England's Chelsea F.C., veteran Spencer Richey will begin the Fire's 2023 season as the starter in net tonight. 19-year-old Homegrown Chris Brady will miss tonight's match with a right upper leg injury.
- After helping lead Switzerland to the Round of 16 at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Designated Player Xherdan Shaqiri returns to the heart of the Fire midfield tonight. He'll be flanked by a pair of Chicago natives in Schaumburg's Chris Mueller - who was acquired from Scottish side Hibernian FC last May - and Academy product Brian Gutiérrez. Gutiérrez is coming off a breakout 2022 season, in which the 19-year-old set career highs in matches played (33), matches started (20), goals (2), and assists (7).
- Supporting the attack from the holding midfield slots are Federico Navarro and Jairo Torres. In 30 matches played over his first full season with the Fire in 2022, Navarro finished the season among the league's leaders in duels won (187), defensive recoveries (251), tackles won (65), and interceptions (52). Torres, following his move from Liga MX side Atlas FC last May, begins his first full season in Chicago by earning his seventh Fire start.
- Kacper Przybyłko will lead the attacking unit from the forward position tonight. Przybyłko scored five goals and registered one assist last season in his first year in Chicago.
- Captain Rafael Czichos returns to lead the Fire defensive unit from central defense for a second season after an impressive debut campaign that saw the Bundesliga veteran help the team earn 12 clean sheets - the third-highest total in the league. He'll partner with 22-year-old Carlos Terán, who makes his 31st start for the Club as he enters his fourth season in Chicago.
- Opposite Souquet, Venzuelan international Miguel Navarro rounds out tonight's defensive unit. Navarro, 24, is also entering his fourth season in Chicago, and makes his 60th start for the Fire tonight.
- Available to Hendrickson as substitutions today are goalkeeper Jeff Gal, defender Kendall Burks, defender Jonathan Dean, defender Wyatt Omsberg, defender/midfielder Maurico Pineda, midfielder Maren Haile-Selassie, midfielder Gastón Giménez, forward Fabian Herbers, and forward Kei Kamara.
- Goalkeeper Chris Brady (right upper leg), defender Justin Reynolds (left ankle), and midfielder Sergio Oregel (illness) are unavailable for selection due to injury tonight.
Take a look at how tonight's opposition will start below as the lineup becomes available:
