While the start to the season has been less than favorable for Chicago Fire FC, the team finds themselves in a logjam of teams fighting for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with less than half of the 2024 regular season campaign left to play.
At the time of this article, yes, the Fire are sitting in 15th place of the Eastern Conference, but they’re only three points out of a playoff spot and are unbeaten in four of their last five matches.
Shining throughout the season have been the Homegrowns. Fire Academy products Brian Gutiérrez, Chris Brady, and Mauricio Pineda have accomplished impressive feats since the start of the 2024 season.
As we pass the midway mark of the 2024 campaign, let’s look at some milestones and statistics you might’ve missed:
Mauri reaches 100 (again)
Defender/midfielder Mauricio Pineda has been one of the many fixtures in the Chicago Fire lineup. Dating back to his professional debut in 2020, Pineda has only steadily improved and solidified himself as a reliable player for the Chicago Fire.
Around this time last season, we were having a similar meeting about Pineda.
On Aug. 30, 2023, Pineda became the first Homegrown in Club history to appear in 100 matches for the Chicago Fire. Now, nearly a year later, it’s deja vu for the Bolingbrook, Ill., native.
Following his start against Orlando City SC on June 22, Pineda became the first Homegrown Player in Club history to reach 100 starts for his boyhood team.
“Yeah, it shows how good the academy is. It’s growing,” said Fabian Herbers, the Fire’s longest-tenured player after the match against Orlando. “We have more and more people coming out; we saw it with Gaga [Slonina], [Brian Gutiérrez], [Chris] Brady. You have a lot of young talent in and around Chicago, and if the Club can capitalize on that and make them work and earn those starts -- it’s not like those caps are just given. They are hard workers and very good players.”
Having been in Chicago since the 2019 season, the German midfielder has had a front row seat to the development of local talent within the Fire organization – even volunteer coaching at the U-15 Academy level
“Overall, I think the Club is heading in the right direction in terms of [development], and congrats to Mauricio,” Herbers said. “It’s a good achievement.”
Pineda’s older brother, Victor, was the first Homegrown Player in Club history back in 2010. Now, 14 years later, the Pineda family continues etching their name into the Chicago Fire FC record books.
Chris Brady joins elite company
With one more start, goalkeeper Chris Brady could surround himself around elite company this Saturday night.
Currently at 49 career appearances, Brady is set to become the first Homegrown goalkeeper in Chicago Fire history to appear in 50 MLS matches.
Only three other Fire goalkeepers have appeared in 50+ matches with the Chicago Fire, including Jon Busch, Sean Johnson, and current goalkeeper coach, Zach Thornton. During their tenures with Chicago Fire FC, Busch and Thornton claimed MLS Goalkeeper of the Year awards and Johnson became a mainstay for the U.S. Men’s National Team.
Brady hopes to follow in their footsteps.
Earlier this season, Thornton couldn’t help but acknowledge the growth in Brady’s game as the young goalkeeper continues to develop as the days come and go.
“What I like about Chris this year is his presence and maturity,” said Thornton. “He's definitely matured. His presence in the goal, the shot-stopping, all the goalkeeping stuff, that stuff has improved as well.”
“Chris' ceiling is, there's no limit,” Thornton later added. “Chris can go and play wherever he wants to in the sport.”
On top of that, the Naperville native recently surpassed former teammate Gaga Slonina’s all-time record for wins by a Fire Homegrown goalkeeper with 13 career victories, marking yet another impressive achievement for one the Fire Academy’s most highly touted products.
However, in true Brady fashion, his eyes are focused on getting the next victory.
Gutierrez matches Freddy Adu
Brian Gutiérrez continues to shine for the Chicago Fire.
The crafty midfielder seems to be playing with more confidence and skill midway through his fifth season with the Fire.
Most recently, Gutiérrez recorded his 19th career assist on Pineda’s goal against Toronto FC on June 15. With that assist, the Homegrown tied former MLS and USMNT striker Freddy Adu for the second-most assists by an MLS player before turning 21 years old.
It signified another impressive statistic for Gutiérrez, who came into the season as the reigning Team MVP following his team-leading, nine-assist campaign in 2023.
But Gutiérrez is honing his game in more ways than one, finding the scoresheet by putting the ball into the back of goal. Just past the halfway mark of the season, Gutiérrez has already doubled his single-career high in goals with four.
“I’ve had ups and downs, I think the team also had ups and downs,” Gutiérrez admitted following a recent match. “But I think right now I feel more confident on the ball and my play is developing even more as I’m playing.”
“But you always have to look forward and see the future.” Gutiérrez concluded.
The more the young midfielder continues to shine, the louder the cheers will sound at Soldier Field when his name is announced to the Fire faithful during the team’s Starting XI processional.
