From Wooden Spoon ‘winners’ to returning to the playoffs for the first time in eight seasons, 2025 was a year of substantial improvement for the Chicago Fire. In Gregg Berhalter’s first season as sporting director and head coach, the team made huge strides as returning players found new life, new additions shined, and young players were given the opportunity to prove their worth. Off the field, the new Endeavor Health Performance Center opened and the team secured all approvals needed to begin construction on a new downtown stadium.  While the season ended in a tough home playoff loss, there were certainly more positives than  negatives. Now the Fire head into the offseason, which is already underway with the permanent signing of Andre Franco and acquisition of Swedish international midfielder Anton Saletros. What do those moves mean for the Fire, and where else do they need to add to the squad to continue this year’s upward trajectory? Alex is joined by Joe Chatz and Tim Hotze to cover all that and more, as well as handout some superlatives, on this season finale of CHGO Fire

📬 Chicago sports in your inbox: https://allchgo.com/newsletter Saturday night’s 3-0 loss at home to the Philadelphia Union was not at all how the Chicago Fire would have liked for their season to end. After battling back to a draw in Game 2 in Philadelphia, the Fire were flattened in the opening minutes at SeatGeek Stadium as stand-in goalkeeper Jeff Gal made two crucial errors that led to Union goals. Brian Gutierrez missed a penalty, the game had to be halted due to homophobic chanting, and it was generally a miserable evening in Bridgeview. We recap the bad and the worse of it, then try to find some silver linings. Also, the offseason just started and the Fire might have already made their first signing of the winter?! Alex is joined by Chicago Fire Radio’s Max Anderson on this final game of the season episode of CHGO Fire       An ALLCITY Network Production PARTY WITH US: https://bit.ly/3SRS03z  ALL THINGS CHGO: https://linktr.ee/chgosports  WATCH YOUR FAVORITE TEAMS: https://www.fubotv.com/chgo  Empire Today: Schedule a free in-home estimate today! All listeners can receive a $350 OFF discount when they use the promo code CHGO. Restrictions apply. See https://empiretoday.com/chgo for details. Ray Auto Group: Get into your next vehicle with Ray Auto in Fox Lake!  Ray Chevy: https://www.raychevrolet.com/ Ray CDJR: https://www.raycdjr.com/ Presented by Coors Light. Official Domestic Beer Partner of Chicago Fire FC. Chicago, Choose Chill. Go to https://coorslight.com/CHGOSoccer  to get Coors Light delivered straight to your door. Celebrate Responsibly. Coors Brewing Company, Golden, Colorado. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code CHGO for $20 off your first purchase. Check out FOCO for merch and collectibles here https://foco.vegb.net/CHGO and use promo code “CHGO10” for 10% off your order on all non Pre Order items. When you shop through links in the description, we may earn affiliate commissions.  Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. #ChicagoFire #cf97 #VamosFire #ReturnToRed

📬 Chicago sports in your inbox: https://allchgo.com/newsletter It’s the hope that kills you. After going down 2-0 in Chester, PA on Sunday night in a game they played without star man Philip Zinckernagel the Chicago Fire fought back to equalize and force penalties in Game 1 of their Round 1 series with the Philadelphia Union. After he scored against his old club in stoppage time to send the game to a shootout, Jack Elliott was one of two Fire players to miss their spot kicks and Philly escaped with the win. Next Saturday’s Game 2 at SeatGeek Stadium is now a must win for the Fire to force a decisive Game 3. Alex is joined by John Thornton, host of Men In Red 97 Media’s ‘The Bonfire’ to break down the emotional rollercoaster of last night and set the scene for Saturday’s suburban showdown. An ALLCITY Network Production SUBSCRIBE TO THE EIGHTY FIVE WITH COLE KMET: https://www.youtube.com/@The85WithColeKmet ALL THINGS CHGO: https://linktr.ee/chgosports BUY MERCH: https://store.allcitynetwork.com/collections/chgo-locker FOLLOW ON SOCIAL: Twitter: @CHGO_Sports Instagram: @CHGO_Sports WATCH YOUR FAVORITE TEAMS: https://www.fubotv.com/chgo Empire Today: Schedule a free in-home estimate today! All listeners can receive a $350 OFF discount when they use the promo code CHGO. Restrictions apply. See https://empiretoday.com/chgo for details. Hall of Fame App: Get a 7-Day Free Trial + 50% Off your first month with code CHGO. Just download the HOF app on iOS and Android or visit www.hofbets.com, enter code CHGO, and you’re all set. #ad Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code CHGO for $20 off your first purchase. Check out FOCO for merch and collectibles here https://foco.vegb.net/CHGO and use promo code “CHGO10” for 10% off your order on all non Pre Order items. When you shop through links in the description, we may earn affiliate commissions. Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.

📬 Chicago sports in your inbox: https://allchgo.com/newsletter The regular season is over and the MLS Cup Playoffs are set! Decision Day wasn’t without its drama as the Fire left it late to secure a draw and hosting rights to Wednesday night’s Eastern Conference Wild Card Game. But was it a missed opportunity, or just emblematic of the Fire’s biggest strengths and weaknesses? Then we look ahead to tomorrow’s matchup with Orlando City, who come in without a win in a month and having struggled against the Men in Red this season. Alex is joined by two good friends of the show for this first ever postseason edition of CHGO Fire: Joe Chatz from On Tap SportsNet and Tim Hotze of Men in Red 97 Media. An ALLCITY Network Production PARTY WITH US: https://bit.ly/3SRS03z ALL THINGS CHGO: https://linktr.ee/chgosports WATCH YOUR FAVORITE TEAMS: https://www.fubotv.com/chgo Empire Today: Schedule a free in-home estimate today! All listeners can receive a $350 OFF discount when they use the promo code CHGO. Restrictions apply. See https://empiretoday.com/chgo for details. Ray Auto Group: Get into your next vehicle with Ray Auto in Fox Lake! Ray Chevy: https://www.raychevrolet.com/ Ray CDJR: https://www.raycdjr.com/ Presented by Coors Light. Official Domestic Beer Partner of Chicago Fire FC. Chicago, Choose Chill. Go to https://coorslight.com/CHGOSoccer to get Coors Light delivered straight to your door. Celebrate Responsibly. Coors Brewing Company, Golden, Colorado. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code CHGO for $20 off your first purchase. Check out FOCO for merch and collectibles here https://foco.vegb.net/CHGO and use promo code “CHGO10” for 10% off your order on all non Pre Order items. When you shop through links in the description, we may earn affiliate commissions. Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. #ChicagoFire #cf97 #VamosFire #ReturnToRed

📬 Chicago sports in your inbox: https://allchgo.com/newsletter The long wait is finally over: the Chicago Fire are headed back to the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2017! The Fire booked their ticket to the postseason in style with a 5-3 thrilling win in Miami over Messi and Friends following a dominant 2-0 home win over the Columbus Crew.  Meanwhile, Philip Zinckernagel broke Nemanja Nikolic’s 2017 club record for goal contributions in a season as he reached 29 on 14 goals and 15 assists with one match still to play thanks to assisting both of Jack Elliot’s goals in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Toronto FC. To what to the Fire owe their change in fortune? How much credit to Berhalter, Zinckernagel and others deserve? What should the expectations be for this team when the playoffs begin in two weeks? Alex is joined by Matt Doyle of MLSsoccer.com and AppleTV’s MLS coverage to survey the Fire’s strong season so far.        An ALLCITY Network Production PARTY WITH US: https://bit.ly/3SRS03z  ALL THINGS CHGO: https://linktr.ee/chgosports  WATCH YOUR FAVORITE TEAMS: https://www.fubotv.com/chgo  Empire Today: Schedule a free in-home estimate today! All listeners can receive a $350 OFF discount when they use the promo code CHGO. Restrictions apply. See https://empiretoday.com/chgo for details. Ray Auto Group: Get into your next vehicle with Ray Auto in Fox Lake!  Ray Chevy: https://www.raychevrolet.com/ Ray CDJR: https://www.raycdjr.com/ Presented by Coors Light. Official Domestic Beer Partner of Chicago Fire FC. Chicago, Choose Chill. Go to https://coorslight.com/CHGOSoccer  to get Coors Light delivered straight to your door. Celebrate Responsibly. Coors Brewing Company, Golden, Colorado. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code CHGO for $20 off your first purchase. Check out FOCO for merch and collectibles here https://foco.vegb.net/CHGO and use promo code “CHGO10” for 10% off your order on all non Pre Order items. When you shop through links in the description, we may earn affiliate commissions.  Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. #ChicagoFire #cf97 #VamosFire #ReturnToRed

After a change in formation to a back 3 and a 3-0 win up north in St. Paul, the Chicago Fire look an increasingly strong bet to qualify for the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs in one of the wild card spots. Why did the tactical changeup from Gregg Berhalter work? Will we see more of it? How is the Eastern Conference playoff picture shaping up with the 9 teams all but settled? What about out West? Alex is joined by Minnesota’s own Jeff Rueter of The Athletic and Total Soccer Show to discuss those questions and more.

📬 Chicago sports in your inbox: https://allchgo.com/newsletter The summer transfer window for Major League Soccer shut this week, and the Fire got deals done for a new number 10 and a couple of defenders while Carlos Teran departed for Brazil. Are the Fire better off after the changes? And after a wild back and forth win over St. Louis, only one side scored the goals in Philly on Saturday as the Fire were flattened 4-0. How worried should we be about what we saw, and where does that leave things with less than 2 months of the regular season to go? Alex is joined by Joe Chatz of On Tap Sports Net to review another busy couple of weeks as the Fire try to hold on to the hope of breaking their playoff drought. An ALLCITY Network Production PARTY WITH US: https://bit.ly/3SRS03z ALL THINGS CHGO: https://linktr.ee/chgosports WATCH YOUR FAVORITE TEAMS: https://www.fubotv.com/chgo Empire Today: Schedule a free in-home estimate today! All listeners can receive a $350 OFF discount when they use the promo code CHGO. Restrictions apply. See https://empiretoday.com/chgo for details. Ray Auto Group: Get into your next vehicle with Ray Auto in Fox Lake! Ray Chevy: https://www.raychevrolet.com/ Ray CDJR: https://www.raycdjr.com/ Presented by Coors Light. Official Domestic Beer Partner of Chicago Fire FC. Chicago, Choose Chill. Go to https://coorslight.com/CHGOSoccer to get Coors Light delivered straight to your door. Celebrate Responsibly. Coors Brewing Company, Golden, Colorado. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code CHGO for $20 off your first purchase. Check out FOCO for merch and collectibles here https://foco.vegb.net/CHGO and use promo code “CHGO10” for 10% off your order on all non Pre Order items. When you shop through links in the description, we may earn affiliate commissions. Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. #ChicagoFire #cf97 #VamosFire #ReturnToRed

📬 Chicago sports in your inbox: https://allchgo.com/newsletter With no Leagues Cup, the Fire got a week off following wins over Montreal and the Red Bulls. In the meantime, the Fire have made some roster moves and are looking to make additions to boost their playoff odds. Alex and Alex Calabrese of Men in Red 97 Media and MLSsoccer.com check on where things stand for the Fire, and what we can expect them to do in the market. Then, they’re joined by LAFC radio voice Dave Denholm ahead of this week’s visit by the Black and Gold to Soldier Field to look ahead to the match and discuss the biggest MLS move of the summer: Son Heung-Min’s transfer to LAFC from Tottenham. An ALLCITY Network Production PARTY WITH US: https://bit.ly/3SRS03z ALL THINGS CHGO: https://linktr.ee/chgosports WATCH YOUR FAVORITE TEAMS: https://www.fubotv.com/chgo Empire Today: Schedule a free in-home estimate today! All listeners can receive a $350 OFF discount when they use the promo code CHGO. Restrictions apply. See https://empiretoday.com/chgo for details. Ray Auto Group: Get into your next vehicle with Ray Auto in Fox Lake! Ray Chevy: https://www.raychevrolet.com/ Ray CDJR: https://www.raycdjr.com/ Sunnyside Cannabis Dispensary: Head to https://sunnyside.shop and use code ‘HICHGO’ at checkout for 50% off your first 3 online orders on our favorite brands like Cresco, Good News, & more to elevate your first purchase! Sunnyside* Cannabis Dispensary -Bright buys, every day. Only for 21+ or IL medical card holders Presented by Coors Light. Official Domestic Beer Partner of Chicago Fire FC. Chicago, Choose Chill. Go to https://coorslight.com/CHGOSoccer to get Coors Light delivered straight to your door. Celebrate Responsibly. Coors Brewing Company, Golden, Colorado. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code CHGO for $20 off your first purchase. Check out FOCO for merch and collectibles here https://foco.vegb.net/CHGO and use promo code “CHGO10” for 10% off your order on all non Pre Order items. When you shop through links in the description, we may earn affiliate commissions. Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. #ChicagoFire #cf97 #VamosFire #ReturnToRed

It’s been quite a mix of good and bad in recent weeks, even by the Chicago Fire’s usual erratic standards! Philip Zinckernagel continues to impress, setting records in a history-making first season that will deservedly see him represent the team at this week’s All Star Game. At the opposite end of things, Omar Gonzalez effectively knocked the Fire out of the Open Cup when he appeared to try and knock out Minnesota’s Julian Gressell. Throw in another heartbreaking late goal to drop points and actually dominating a terrible team like you’re supposed to and it’s been a full few weeks! Plus, Alex along with Joe Chatz of On Tap Sportsnet take your questions!

📬 Chicago sports in your inbox: https://allchgo.com/newsletter The Chicago Fire just wrapped up another strange homestand, as two dour and goalless performances vs Nashville and Philly were followed up by a 3-2 win over Charlotte that lifted the Fire into a playoff position. The most consistent thing has been Philip Zinckernagel, who was named to the MLS All Star roster and continued his historic first season with the club with a goal and assist this weekend. He also got married! Before we get to the games though, Alex is joined by former Fire and current Apple and Fox broadcaster Tyler Terens to talk about juggling MLS and the Gold Cup, Canada going out on penalties, and his thoughts on the Fire’s season so far. An ALLCITY Network Production PARTY WITH US: https://bit.ly/3SRS03z ALL THINGS CHGO: https://linktr.ee/chgosports WATCH YOUR FAVORITE TEAMS: https://www.fubotv.com/chgo Empire Today: Schedule a free in-home estimate today! All listeners can receive a $350 OFF discount when they use the promo code CHGO. Restrictions apply. See https://empiretoday.com/chgo for details. Ray Auto Group: Get into your next vehicle with Ray Auto in Fox Lake! Ray Chevy: https://www.raychevrolet.com/ Ray CDJR: https://www.raycdjr.com/ Sunnyside Cannabis Dispensary: Head to https://sunnyside.shop and use code ‘HICHGO’ at checkout for 50% off your first 3 online orders on our favorite brands like Cresco, Good News, & more to elevate your first purchase! Sunnyside* Cannabis Dispensary -Bright buys, every day. Only for 21+ or IL medical card holders Presented by Coors Light. Official Domestic Beer Partner of Chicago Fire FC. Chicago, Choose Chill. Go to https://coorslight.com/CHGOSoccer to get Coors Light delivered straight to your door. Celebrate Responsibly. Coors Brewing Company, Golden, Colorado. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code CHGO for $20 off your first purchase. Check out FOCO for merch and collectibles here https://foco.vegb.net/CHGO and use promo code “CHGO10” for 10% off your order on all non Pre Order items. When you shop through links in the description, we may earn affiliate commissions. Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. #ChicagoFire #cf97 #VamosFire #ReturnToRed

Last week started well for the Fire, with a dominant 4-1 win on the road against Charlotte FC powered by two goals and an assist for Brian Gutierrez. It ended Sunday with a 1-0 lead that turned into a 3-1 loss to NYCFC at Yankee Stadium in large part due to Gutierrez elbowing an opponent in the face and being sent off. This will be the second time he’s been suspended this season, and by the end of the suspension he will have missed seven matches due to either suspension, injury or national team duty. What do we make of the enigma that is Guti? Also, the Fire advanced in the Open Cup and we now know their path to a potential record breaking fifth title. Can they do it? Should it be prioritized over the league? Alex is joined by Kiril Anastasov of Chicago Sports Nation for all that and more.

The Fire played three home games in the last week and came away with two wins and a draw! What can we learn from the red-card tainted draw with Orlando, Open Cup demolition of Detroit, and long-awaited home breakthrough vs Atlanta? Plus, is Kevin De Bruyne headed for a different city known for its pizza? And how are the Fire’s kids doing these days? It’s an ‘Alex and Alex Show’ as Alex Calabrese of Men in Red 97 Media is in studio to chat about all of that!

The Fire have played three games since our last show: an entertaining draw vs Messi and friends, a sloppy and crazy 3-2 loss to Cincinnati, and an humiliating blowout at the hands of Gregg Berhalter’s former assistant B.J. Callaghan and Nashville SC. What’s gone wrong, what’s not working, and what can we conclude after 10 games? Then, the Chicago grassroots soccer community, Edgewater Castle FC President and General Manager Andrew Swanson joins the show to talk about the team’s new podcast ‘Stone By Stone,’ promotion and relegation and the state of the lower-division landscape. An ALLCITY Network Production PARTY WITH US: https://bit.ly/3SRS03z ALL THINGS CHGO: https://linktr.ee/chgosports WATCH YOUR FAVORITE TEAMS: https://www.fubotv.com/chgo Empire Today: Schedule a free in-home estimate today! All listeners can receive a $350 OFF discount when they use the promo code CHGO. Restrictions apply. See https://empiretoday.com/chgo for details. Ray Auto Group: Get into your next vehicle with Ray Auto in Fox Lake! Ray Chevy: https://www.raychevrolet.com/ Ray CDJR: https://www.raycdjr.com/ Sunnyside Cannabis Dispensary: Head to https://sunnyside.shop and use code ‘HICHGO’ at checkout for 50% off your first 3 online orders on our favorite brands like Cresco, Good News, & more to elevate your first purchase! Sunnyside* Cannabis Dispensary -Bright buys, every day. Only for 21+ or IL medical card holders Presented by Coors Light. Official Domestic Beer Partner of Chicago Fire FC. Chicago, Choose Chill. Go to https://coorslight.com/CHGOSoccer to get Coors Light delivered straight to your door. Celebrate Responsibly. Coors Brewing Company, Golden, Colorado. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code CHGO for $20 off your first purchase. Check out FOCO for merch and collectibles here https://foco.vegb.net/CHGO and use promo code “CHGO10” for 10% off your order on all non Pre Order items. When you shop through links in the description, we may earn affiliate commissions. Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. #ChicagoFire #cf97 #VamosFire #ReturnToRed

Become a CHGO Diehard for just $4 a month! http://allchgo.com/intro-offer-youtube The third time’s the charm… right? On Sunday afternoon, the Fire welcome Inter Miami to Soldier Field for a third time since Lionel Messi’s arrival in MLS and he might actually play this time! The Fire are a better team in years past, though beset by injuries. Miami after a disappointing draw against Toronto have CONCACAF Champions Cup to deal with first this week. Alex is joined by two broadcasters who will call the action: Fire radio voice on WLS AM 890 Max Thomas, and Inter Miami radio voice on ESPN West Palm Ken LaVicka. An ALLCITY Network Production PARTY WITH US: https://bit.ly/3SRS03z ALL THINGS CHGO: https://linktr.ee/chgosports WATCH YOUR FAVORITE TEAMS: https://www.fubotv.com/chgo Empire Today: Schedule a free in-home estimate today! All listeners can receive a $350 OFF discount when they use the promo code CHGO. Restrictions apply. See https://empiretoday.com/chgo for details. Ray Auto Group: Get into your next vehicle with Ray Auto in Fox Lake! Ray Chevy: https://www.raychevrolet.com/ Ray CDJR: https://www.raycdjr.com/ Sunnyside Cannabis Dispensary: Head to https://sunnyside.shop and use code ‘HICHGO’ at checkout for 50% off your first 3 online orders on our favorite brands like Cresco, Good News, & more to elevate your first purchase! Sunnyside* Cannabis Dispensary -Bright buys, every day. Only for 21+ or IL medical card holders Presented by Coors Light. Official Domestic Beer Partner of Chicago Fire FC. Chicago, Choose Chill. Go to https://coorslight.com/CHGOSoccer to get Coors Light delivered straight to your door. Celebrate Responsibly. Coors Brewing Company, Golden, Colorado. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code CHGO for $20 off your first purchase. Check out FOCO for merch and collectibles here https://foco.vegb.net/CHGO and use promo code “CHGO10” for 10% off your order on all non Pre Order items. When you shop through links in the description, we may earn affiliate commissions. Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. #ChicagoFire #cf97 #VamosFire #ReturnToRed

Since our last show, the Chicago Fire went on a three-game road trip and returned to Chicago with a maximum nine points! Led by goal-a-game striker Hugo Cuypers, the Fire now sit tied for second place in the Eastern Conference despite continuing to deal with injuries and absences. Alex breaks down the last few weeks and what Gregg Berhalter has this team doing so right, before being joined by Joe Lowery of Backheeled and the Total Soccer Show to discuss his Hugo Cuypers stock increasing in value, Berhalter’s success amid USMNT struggles, and the biggest takeaways from the first month of the MLS season.