Season Preview: CHICAGO FIRE

Welcome to my 7th annual MLS season preview. This season, each team will get their own blog, so you can catch up with the clubs you care about, and skip those you don't. So lets kick it all off with the Chicago Fire...


IN:
M Collin Fernandez (8/28/14 - Homegrown)
F Kennedy Igboananike (12/2/14 - transfer from AIK)
D/M Joevin Jones (12/3/14 - transfer from W Connection)
M Michael Stephens (12/9/14 - free)
D Eric Gehrig (12/10/14 - trade from Orlando City)
F David Accam (12/19/14 - transfer from Helsingborgs)
D Patrick Doody (12/22/14 - Homegrown)
D Adaílton (12/30/14 - transfer from Bahia)
F Guilherme do Prado (1/6/15 - free)
M Shaun Maloney (1/25/15 - transfer from Wigan)
M Alex (1/25/15 - re-signed)
GK Jon Busch (1/27/15 - free)
D Matt Polster (2/4/15 - SuperDraft)


OUT:
M Logan Pause (retired)
M Alex (11/18/14- option declined)
F Robert Earnshaw (11/18/14- option declined)
F Matt Fondy (11/18/14- option declined)
D Marco Franco (11/18/14- option declined)
D Patrick Ianni (11/18/14- option declined)
M Benji Joya (11/18/14- loan expired)
D Hunter Jumper (11/18/14- option declined)
D Steven Kinney (11/18/14- option declined)
M Victor Pineda (11/18/14- out of contract)
D Gonzalo Segares (11/18/14- option declined)
F Florent Sinama-Pongolle (11/18/14- option declined)
M Grant Ward (11/18/14- loan expired)
D Bakary Soumare (12/18/14 - Re-Entry Stage 2 Draft)
M Sanna Nyassi (12/18/14 - Re-Entry Stage 2 Draft)
F Juan Luis Anangono (12/18/14 - transfer to Universidad de Guadalajara)
GK Kyle Reynish (1/20/15 - traded to New York)


MANAGER: Frank Yallop


Chicago Fire underwent a dramatic overhaul this past offseason, brining in three designated players, while pushing out many veterans who did very little to help them in recent years.

In the forward line, Accam, Igboananike, and Prado look set to lead the way as Mike Magee starts the season injured. Quincy Amarikwa is another alternative off the bench as the young talent looks to build upon a strong season last year.

In the middle of the park, the show stopper signing is Shuan Maloney from Wigan. The veteran will be relied upon to create for the new forwards, as well as chip in with a few of his own. Rookie standout Harry Shipp will also be a key cog in the Fire mid, looking to build upon an impressive first campaign.

The major question for the Fire will be their defense. Midfield veteran Jeff Larentowicz is making the permanent switch to center back, and should be paired with new Brasilian arrival Adailton. A fresh arrival and a veteran in a new position don't always hit the ground running in MLS, and questions at fullback could make this a long season for the Fire defenders and their excellent goalkeeper Sean Johnson. One player to keep an eye on if either CB fails to impress could be rookie Matt Polster. Given regular playing time, he could repeat the feat of former Fire CB Austin Berry in becoming rookie of the year.

After suffering a league leading 18 draws last season, Frank Yallop looks to cover for his weakness (defense) and attack attack attack, using a 4-4-2 Diamond formation, or a very attacking 4-3-3.

With so many new additions up front, star man Mike Magee set to return eventually, and the history of DP's in MLS who fall off a cliff before they even get going, smart money would be on one of the three new additions finding themselves cut free by the time the dog days of summer arrive.

Overall, my trick elbow says that the Fire may be this seasons DC United, a team going from the outhouse to the penthouse. They should be interesting to watch, wether they fly high to the top of the table, or sink to the bottom as they have the past several seasons.

2014 Eastern Conference Finish: 9th Place
Predicted 2015 Eastern Conference Finish: 5th Place

Feel free to check out my other MLS Season previews, and as always, remember... MLS Matters.