2018 Chicago Fire season

Chicago Fire
2018 season
Chairman	Andrew Hauptman
Head coach	Veljko Paunović
Stadium	Toyota Park; (capacity: 20,000)
MLS	Conference: 10th; Overall: 20th
MLS Cup Playoffs	Did not qualify
U.S. Open Cup	Semifinals
Brimstone Cup	Lost
Top goalscorer	League: Nemanja Nikolić, 15 goals; All: Nemanja Nikolić, 19 goals
Highest home attendance	League: 21,915 (April 14 vs. LA Galaxy)
Lowest home attendance	8,551
Average home league attendance	14,516
Biggest win	CHI 4-0 ORL (9/16)
Biggest defeat	TOR 3-0 CHI (7/28)
Home colors	Away colors
	← 2017 2019 →

The 2018 Chicago Fire season was the club's 20th year of existence, as well as their 21st in Major League Soccer.

Current squad

As of August 10, 2018. Source: Chicago Fire official roster and Official MLS Roster

No.	Name	Position	Date of Birth (Age)	Previous Club	Player Notes
Goalkeepers
30	Stefan Cleveland	GK	(1994-05-25) May 25, 1994 (age 30)	University of Louisville	Loaned Out
32	Patrick McLain	GK	(1988-08-22) August 22, 1988 (age 36)	Minnesota United FC
45	Richard Sánchez	GK	(1994-05-05) May 5, 1994 (age 30)	Tigres UANL
Defenders
2	Matt Polster	D/M	(1993-06-08) June 8, 1993 (age 31)	SIU Edwardsville Cougars
3	Brandon Vincent	D	(1994-05-01) May 1, 1994 (age 30)	Stanford Cardinal
4	Johan Kappelhof	D	(1990-08-05) August 5, 1990 (age 34)	FC Groningen
15	Grant Lillard	D	(1995-12-05) December 5, 1995 (age 28)	Indiana Hoosiers	Homegrown
16	Jonathan Campbell	D	(1993-06-27) June 27, 1993 (age 31)	North Carolina Tar Heels
22	Nicolas Hasler	D/M	(1991-05-04) May 4, 1991 (age 33)	Toronto FC	International
24	Nicolás Del Grecco	D	(1994-11-19) November 19, 1994 (age 29)	C.D. Olimpia	International Loaned Out
25	Jorge Luis Corrales	D	(1991-05-20) May 20, 1991 (age 33)	Tulsa Roughnecks
26	Christian Dean	D	(1993-03-14) March 14, 1993 (age 31)	Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Midfielders
6	Dax McCarty (Captain)	M	(1987-04-30) April 30, 1987 (age 37)	New York Red Bulls
7	Raheem Edwards	M/D	(1995-07-17) July 17, 1995 (age 29)	Montreal Impact	International
10	Aleksandar Katai	M	(1991-02-06) February 6, 1991 (age 33)	Deportivo Alavés	International
13	Brandt Bronico	M	(1995-06-20) June 20, 1995 (age 29)	University of North Carolina Charlotte
14	Djordje Mihailovic	M	(1998-11-10) November 10, 1998 (age 25)	Chicago Fire Academy	Homegrown
18	Drew Conner	M	(1994-02-18) February 18, 1994 (age 30)	Wisconsin Badgers	Homegrown
19	Mo Adams	M	(1996-09-23) September 23, 1996 (age 28)	Syracuse	Generation Adidas International
20	Daniel Johnson	M	(1995-09-08) September 8, 1995 (age 29)	University of Louisville
31	Bastian Schweinsteiger	M	(1984-08-01) August 1, 1984 (age 40)	Manchester United	Designated Player International
Forwards
5	Yura Movsisyan	F	(1987-08-02) August 2, 1987 (age 37)	Djurgårdens IF Fotboll
8	Michael de Leeuw	F	(1986-10-07) October 7, 1986 (age 37)	FC Groningen	International
9	Luis Solignac	F	(1991-02-16) February 16, 1991 (age 33)	Colorado Rapids	International
17	Diego Campos	F	(1995-10-01) October 1, 1995 (age 28)	Clemson	International Loaned Out
21	Alan Gordon	F	(1981-10-16) October 16, 1981 (age 42)	Colorado Rapids
23	Nemanja Nikolić	F	(1987-12-31) December 31, 1987 (age 36)	Legia Warsaw	Designated Player International
28	Elliot Collier	F	(1995-02-22) February 22, 1995 (age 29)	Loyola Chicago	International Loaned Out

Player movement

In

Date	Player	Position	Previous club	Notes	Ref
November 28, 2017	Arturo Álvarez	M	Chicago Fire	Option was exercised	^[1]
November 28, 2017	David Arshakyan	F	Chicago Fire	Option was exercised	^[1]
November 28, 2017	Jorge Bava	GK	Chicago Fire	Option was exercised	^[1]
November 28, 2017	Brandt Bronico	M	Chicago Fire	Option was exercised	^[1]
November 28, 2017	Jonathan Campbell	D	Chicago Fire	Option was exercised	^[1]
November 28, 2017	Stefan Cleveland	GK	Chicago Fire	Option was exercised	^[1]
November 28, 2017	Drew Conner	M	Chicago Fire	Option was exercised	^[1]
November 28, 2017	Daniel Johnson	M	Chicago Fire	Option was exercised	^[1]
November 28, 2017	Dax McCarty	M	Chicago Fire	Option was exercised	^[1]
November 28, 2017	Matt Polster	D	Chicago Fire	Option was exercised	^[1]
November 28, 2017	Brandon Vincent	D	Chicago Fire	Option was exercised	^[1]
January 10, 2018	Grant Lillard	D	Indiana Hoosiers	Signed as a homegrown player through 2019 with options for 2020 and 2021	^[2]
January 15, 2018	Richard Sánchez	GK	Chicago Fire	Re-Signed after his contract was initially declined; signed through 2019 with an option for 2020.	^[3]
January 17, 2018	Bastian Schweinsteiger	M	Chicago Fire	Signed a new one-year contract after his original expired.	^[4]
January 18, 2018	Rafael Ramos	D	Orlando City S.C.	Acquired from Orlando City, along with $100,000 in allocation money, for the rights to Fire homegrown prospect Cameron Lindley.	^[5]
January 19, 2018	Jon Bakero	F	Wake Forest	Acquired via the 5th overall pick in the SuperDraft after signing an MLS contract	^[6]
January 19, 2018	Mo Adams	M	Syracuse	Acquired via the 10th overall pick in the SuperDraft after signing a Generation Adidas contract	^[6]
February 28, 2018	Tony Tchani	M	Vancouver Whitecaps FC	Acquired from Vancouver in exchange for $150,000 in TAM	^[7]
February 28, 2018	Diego Campos	F	Clemson	Signed to a contract for 2018 with options for 2019, 2020, and 2021, after being selected with the 38th overall pick in the SuperDraft	^[8]
February 28, 2018	Elliot Collier	F	Loyola Chicago	Signed to a contract for 2018 with options for 2019, 2020, and 2021, after being selected with the 49th overall pick in the SuperDraft	^[8]
March 9, 2018	Kevin Ellis	D	Sporting Kansas City	Signed to a contract for 2018 with an option for 2019	^[9]
March 9, 2018	Patrick McLain	GK	Minnesota United FC	Signed to a contract for 2018 with an option for 2019 and 2020	^[9]
March 16, 2018	Alan Gordon	F	Colorado Rapids	Signed for the 2018 season	^[10]
July 11, 2018	Aleksandar Katai	M	Deportivo Alavés	Permanently signed through 2019 with an option for 2020	^[11]
July 12, 2018	Nicolás Del Grecco	D	C.D. Olimpia	Signed for an undisclosed amount through 2019 with an option for 2020	^[12]
July 17, 2018	Raheem Edwards	M/D	Montreal Impact	Acquired in exchange for $400k in TAM	^[13]
July 20, 2018	Nicolas Hasler	D/M	Toronto FC	Acquired in exchange for $50k in GAM and Jon Bakero	^[14]
September 14, 2018	Yura Movsisyan	F	Djurgårdens IF Fotboll	Signed off of waivers	^[15]

Out

Date	Player	Position	Destination Club	Notes	Ref
November 18, 2017	João Meira	D/M	Lorca FC	After his contract expired, he announced that he wouldn't be returning to the Fire	^[16]^[1]
November 28, 2017	Joey Calistri	M	St. Louis FC	Option was declined	^[1]
November 28, 2017	Matej Dekovic	D		Option was declined	^[1]
November 28, 2017	Patrick Doody	D	Retired	Option was declined; on February 13, he announced his retirement.	^[1]
November 28, 2017	/ Collin Fernandez	M	Phoenix Rising FC	Option was declined	^[1]
November 28, 2017	John Goossens	M	ADO Den Haag	Option was declined	^[1]
November 28, 2017	Michael Harrington	D	North Carolina FC	Option was declined	^[1]
November 28, 2017	Juninho	M	Club Tijuana	Loan was not extended	^[1]
November 28, 2017	Richard Sánchez	G	Chicago Fire	Option was declined	^[1]
November 28, 2017	Bastian Schweinsteiger	M	Chicago Fire	Out of Contract	^[1]
December 10, 2017	Arturo Álvarez	M	Houston Dynamo	Traded to Houston for Houston's natural second round selection in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft	^[17]
December 18, 2018	David Arshakyan	F	Vejle Boldklub	Mutually parted ways	^[18]
January 14, 2018	Jorge Bava	GK	Liverpool F.C.	Mutually parted ways	^[19]
January 19, 2018	Matt Lampson	GK	Minnesota United FC	Traded along with $175 thousand in allocation money to Minnesota for the fifth overall pick in the SuperDraft	^[20]
January 19, 2018	David Accam	MF	Philadelphia Union	Traded for $1.2 million in allocation money over 2018 and 2019	^[21]
July 20, 2018	Jon Bakero	FW	Toronto FC	Traded with $50K in GAM for Nicolas Hasler	^[14]
August 6, 2018	Rafael Ramos	DF	FC Twente	Contract was mutually terminated	^[22]
August 9, 2018	Kevin Ellis	DF	D.C. United	Waived	^[23]
August 9, 2018	Tony Tchani	MF		Waived	^[23]

Loaned in

Date	Player	Position	Original Club	Loan Ended	Ref
February 6, 2018	Aleksandar Katai	MF	Deportivo Alavés	July 11, 2018	^[24]

Loaned out

Date	Player	Position	Destination Club	Loan Ended	Ref
August 10, 2018	Diego Campos	FW	Indy Eleven	End of season	^[25]
August 10, 2018	Elliot Collier	FW	Indy Eleven	End of season	^[25]

Unsigned trialists and draft picks

Pre-Season

Midfielder Omar Castro^[26]
Midfielder/Forward Joshua Gatt, last played for Colorado Rapids; left the team on February 26^[27]^[28]
Goalkeeper Sam Howard, last played for IFK Åmål in Sweden; left the team on February 19^[27]^[29]
Defender Maxi Moreira, last played for Huracán F.C. in Uruguay^[27]
Defender Josh Morton from California, picked 84th overall in the SuperDraft; was not part of the starting camp roster^[6]^[27]
Forward Albert Ruiz, last played for Florida Gulf Coast Eagles after not being selected in the SuperDraft; left camp sometime after the game against Kansas City^[30]^[31]

Academy midfielders Gilberto Angeles and Javier Casas also trained with the Fire while they were in Florida.^[32]^[26] Academy goalie Kyle Orciuch trained once they got back to Chicago after their travel to Bradenton as well.^[33]

Technical staff

Position	Staff
General Manager	Nelson Rodríguez
Head Coach	Veljko Paunović
Assistant Coach	Marko Mitrović
Assistant Coach	Eric Gehrig
Goalkeeper Coach	Aleksandar Sarić
Senior Director of Soccer Operations	Eddie Rock
Strength and Conditioning Coach	Raphael Fevre
Massage Therapist	Steven Burrows
Director of Scouting	Matt Pearson
Video Analyst	Nenad Babic
Manager of Team and Soccer Operations	Alex Boler
Equipment Manager	Brian Sauer
Assistant Equipment Manager	Juan Arreola
Head Athletic Trainer	Steven Purcell
Assistant Athletic Trainer	Reade Whitney
Chief Medical Officer	Dr. Joshua Blomgren, D.O.
Head Orthopedic Officer	Dr. Brian Forsythe, M.D.
Physical Therapist	Ryan Perry

Last updated: October 30, 2017
Source: Chicago Fire Technical Staff

Standings

Eastern Conference table

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	L	T	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	New York Red Bulls	34	22	7	5	62	33	+29	71	MLS Cup Conference Semifinals
2	Atlanta United FC	34	21	7	6	70	44	+26	69	MLS Cup Conference Semifinals
3	New York City FC	34	16	10	8	59	45	+14	56	MLS Cup Knockout Round
4	D.C. United	34	14	11	9	60	50	+10	51
5	Columbus Crew	34	14	11	9	43	45	−2	51
6	Philadelphia Union	34	15	14	5	49	50	−1	50
7	Montreal Impact	34	14	16	4	47	53	−6	46
8	New England Revolution	34	10	13	11	49	55	−6	41
9	Toronto FC	34	10	18	6	59	64	−5	36
10	Chicago Fire	34	8	18	8	48	61	−13	32
11	Orlando City SC	34	8	22	4	43	74	−31	28

Source: MLS

Overall table

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	L	T	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	New York Red Bulls (S)	34	22	7	5	62	33	+29	71	CONCACAF Champions League
2	Atlanta United FC (C)	34	21	7	6	70	44	+26	69
3	Sporting Kansas City	34	18	8	8	65	40	+25	62
4	Seattle Sounders FC	34	18	11	5	52	37	+15	59
5	Los Angeles FC	34	16	9	9	68	52	+16	57
6	FC Dallas	34	16	9	9	52	44	+8	57
7	New York City FC	34	16	10	8	59	45	+14	56
8	Portland Timbers	34	15	10	9	54	48	+6	54
9	D.C. United	34	14	11	9	60	50	+10	51
10	Columbus Crew	34	14	11	9	43	45	−2	51
11	Philadelphia Union	34	15	14	5	49	50	−1	50
12	Real Salt Lake	34	14	13	7	55	58	−3	49
13	LA Galaxy	34	13	12	9	66	64	+2	48
14	Vancouver Whitecaps FC	34	13	13	8	54	67	−13	47
15	Montreal Impact	34	14	16	4	47	53	−6	46
16	New England Revolution	34	10	13	11	49	55	−6	41
17	Houston Dynamo	34	10	16	8	58	58	0	38	CONCACAF Champions League
18	Minnesota United FC	34	11	20	3	49	71	−22	36
19	Toronto FC	34	10	18	6	59	64	−5	36	CONCACAF Champions League
20	Chicago Fire	34	8	18	8	48	61	−13	32
21	Colorado Rapids	34	8	19	7	36	63	−27	31
22	Orlando City SC	34	8	22	4	43	74	−31	28
23	San Jose Earthquakes	34	4	21	9	49	71	−22	21

Source: MLS
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) disciplinary points; 6) away goals scored; 7) away goal differential; 8) coin toss or drawing of lots
(C) MLS Cup Champion; (S) Supporters' Shield

Results summary

Overall								Home						Away
Pld	Pts	W	L	T	GF	GA	GD	W	L	T	GF	GA	GD	W	L	T	GF	GA	GD
33	31	8	18	7	48	61	−13	6	7	3	28	25	+3	2	11	4	20	36	−16

Source: MLSsoccer.com standings
Pld = Matches played; Pts = Points; W = Matches won; T = Matches tied; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GD = Goal difference

Match results

Win Tie Loss

Preseason

Kickoff times are in CST (UTC−06)

February 3, 2018	South Florida Bulls	0–2	Chicago Fire	Tampa, Florida
16:00		Report	Mo Adams 14' Nemanja Nikolić 40' Elliot Collier 76'	Stadium: USF Soccer Stadium

February 8, 2018	Philadelphia Union	0–0	Chicago Fire	Clearwater, Florida
10:00	Alejandro Bedoya 42'	Report	Gilberto Angeles 79'	Stadium: Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex

February 14, 2018	Montreal Impact	2–1	Chicago Fire	Bradenton, Florida
18:00	Ignacio Piatti 34' Matteo Mancosu 42' Ken Krolicki 54' Daniel Lovitz 70'	Report	Grant Lillard 41' Dax McCarty 55' Christian Dean 87' Omar Castro 89'	Stadium: IMG Academy

February 17, 2018	Florida Gulf Coast Eagles	0–2	Chicago Fire	Bradenton, Florida
		Report	Omar Castro 19' Albert Ruiz 27'	Stadium: IMG Academy

February 21, 2018	Nashville SC	0–0	Chicago Fire	Bradenton, Florida
15:00	Michael Cox 50'	Report	Christian Dean 39'	Stadium: IMG Academy

March 3, 2018	Chicago Fire	2–1	Tulsa Roughnecks	Bridgeview, Illinois
12:00	Tony Tchani 54' Johan Kappelhof 57' Nemanja Nikolić 69' Elliot Collier 78'	Report	Jhon Pirez 16', 66' Michael Gamble 25'	Stadium: Toyota Park

Major League Soccer

Kickoff times are in CST (UTC−06)

March 10, 2018 1	Chicago Fire	3–4	Sporting Kansas City	Bridgeview, Illinois
17:00	Kappelhof 36' Schweinsteiger 50' Katai 70' Nikolić 74', 82'	Report	Gutiérrez 9', 86' Melia 33' Russell 44' Sanchez 56' Medranda 83'	Stadium: Toyota Park Attendance: 14,021 Referee: Jose Carlos Rivero

March 17, 2018 2	Minnesota United FC	2–1	Chicago Fire	Minneapolis, Minnesota
13:00	Ibarra 55' Nicholson 66' Mears 90+2'	Report	Collier 58' Ellis 60' Tchani 67'	Stadium: TCF Bank Stadium Attendance: 23,138 Referee: Alex Chilowicz

March 31, 2018 3	Chicago Fire	2–2	Portland Timbers	Bridgeview, Illinois
17:00	Katai 12' Nikolić 50' Vincent 84'	Report	Valeri 6', 52' Blanco 55'	Stadium: Toyota Park Attendance: 13,678 Referee: Drew Fischer

April 7, 2018 4	Chicago Fire	1–0	Columbus Crew	Bridgeview, Illinois
19:30	Kappelhof 6' Nikolić 27', 90+4' Sánchez 90'	Report	Artur 47'	Stadium: Toyota Park Attendance: 11,028 Referee: Jair Marrufo

April 14, 2018 5	Chicago Fire	0–1	LA Galaxy	Bridgeview, Illinois
14:30	Vincent 45' Gordon 48'	Report	Alessandrini 35' Ibrahimović 45+1' Kitchen 77' Cole 89'	Stadium: Toyota Park Attendance: 21,915 Referee: Ted Unkel

April 21, 2018 6	New York Red Bulls	1–2	Chicago Fire	Harrison, New Jersey
13:00	Robles 68' Wright-Phillips 81'	Report	Katai 30' Nikolić 69' (pen.) Adams 90+2'	Stadium: Red Bull Arena Attendance: 18,784 Referee: Robert Sibiga

April 28, 2018 7	Toronto FC	2–2	Chicago Fire	Toronto
14:00	Osorio 8' Vázquez 22' Hernandez 80'	Report	Schweinsteiger 69' Katai 73' Gordon 90+4'	Stadium: BMO Field Attendance: 26,331 Referee: Alan Kelly

May 5, 2018 8	Chicago Fire	1–2	Atlanta United FC	Bridgeview, Illinois
17:00	Kappelhof 24' Ellis 61' Lillard 80'	Report	Barco 53', 73' Pírez 65' Villalba 90+5'	Stadium: Toyota Park Attendance: 15,024 Referee: Drew Fischer

May 9, 2018 9	Chicago Fire	1–0	Montreal Impact	Bridgeview, Illinois
19:30	Vincent 66' Adams 70' Ellis 89'	Report	Petrasso 65'	Stadium: Toyota Park Attendance: 10,067 Referee: Sorin Stoica

May 12, 2018 10	Columbus Crew	3–0	Chicago Fire	Columbus, Ohio
18:30	Higuain 28' (pen.) Zardes 50', 70', 57'	Report	Ellis 27'	Stadium: MAPFRE Stadium Attendance: 11,108 Referee: Allen Chapman

May 20, 2018 11	Chicago Fire	2–3	Houston Dynamo	Bridgeview, Illinois
15:00	Nikolić 14' Campos 16' Adams 38' Sánchez 83' Ramos 90+1'	Report	Quioto 4', 79' Elis 56' (pen.), 74' 80' O. García 67' Willis 90+6'	Stadium: Toyota Park Attendance: 14,206 Referee: Silviu Petrescu

May 26, 2018 12	Orlando City SC	1–2	Chicago Fire	Orlando, Florida
18:30	El Monir 11' Higuita 28' Schuler 40' Rosell 64' Mueller 70' Kljestan 90'	Report	Katai 13' Ellis 45+1' Gordon 82' Adams Kappelhof 90+5'	Stadium: Orlando City Stadium Attendance: 25,288 Referee: Nima Saghafi

May 30, 2018 13	Philadelphia Union	3–1	Chicago Fire	Chester, Pennsylvania
17:30	Ilsinho 44' Burke 51' Dočkal 87' (pen.)	Report	Corrales 32' Gordon 56'	Stadium: Talen Energy Stadium Attendance: 14,805 Referee: Fotis Bazakos

June 2, 2018 14	Chicago Fire	2–1	San Jose Earthquakes	Bridgeview, Illinois
19:30	Gordon 29' Katai 49' Corrales 57'	Report	Alashe 45+5' Ockford 61' Hoesen 74'	Stadium: Toyota Park Attendance: 14,138 Referee: Ismail Elfath

June 9, 2018 15	Chicago Fire	1–1	New England Revolution	Bridgeview, Illinois
19:30	Schweinsteiger 63'	Report	Dielna 31' Bunbury 82', 83'	Stadium: Toyota Park Attendance: 14,415 Referee: Kevin Stott

June 13, 2018 16	Colorado Rapids	2–2	Chicago Fire	Commerce City, Colorado
20:00	Badji 7' Smith 15' Blomberg 56'	Report	Wilson 21' (o.g.) Katai 24' Schweinsteiger 29' Kappelhof 45+1', 84' Campos 90+2'	Stadium: Dick's Sporting Goods Park Attendance: 16,068 Referee: JC Rivero

June 23, 2018 17	Seattle Sounders FC	1–1	Chicago Fire	Seattle, Washington
21:00	Dempsey 22' Roldan 87' Tolo 90+1'	Report	Katai 9' Schweinsteiger 44' Campbell 61' Collier 85'	Stadium: CenturyLink Field Attendance: 39,513 Referee: Armando Villarreal

June 30, 2018 18	Chicago Fire	3–2	New York City FC	Bridgeview, Illinois
19:30	Nikolić 6' Bronico 10' Katai 47, 52' Sánchez 89' Gordon 90+1'	Report	Ring 28' Tajouri-Shradi 36' Berget 40'	Stadium: Toyota Park Attendance: 15,204 Referee: Chris Penso

July 7, 2018 19	Vancouver Whitecaps FC	3–2	Chicago Fire	Vancouver, British Columbia
21:30	Kamara 28', 72' Mutch 47'	Report	Vincent 10' Nikolić 42' Katai 67' Tchani 80'	Stadium: BC Place Stadium Attendance: 22,120 Referee: Robert Sibiga

July 11, 2018 20	Chicago Fire	3–4	Philadelphia Union	Bridgeview, Illinois
19:30	Corrales 5' Nikolić 39' (pen.) Katai 69' Kappelhof 83' Schweinsteiger 90+4'	Report	Burke 7', 45+3', 73' Medunjanin 31' Accam 90+5', 90+6'	Stadium: Toyota Park Attendance: 12,008 Referee: Dave Gantar

July 14, 2018 21	FC Dallas	3–1	Chicago Fire	Frisco, Texas
19:00	Gruezo 27' Cannon 63' Acosta 74' Ziegler 81' (pen.)	Report	Conner 39' Bronico 86'	Stadium: Toyota Stadium Attendance: 16,000 Referee: Marcos Deoliveira

July 21, 2018 22	Chicago Fire	1–2	Toronto FC	Bridgeview, Illinois
18:00	Corrales 45+1' Nikolić 62'	Report	Mavinga 41' Giovinco 47' Morrow 61' Osorio 65'	Stadium: Toyota Park Attendance: 15,177 Referee: Sorin Stoica

July 28, 2018 23	Toronto FC	3–0	Chicago Fire	Toronto
18:00	Giovinco 42', 89' Altidore 52' Bradley 63' Osorio 73'	Report	Bronico 30'	Stadium: BMO Field Attendance: 29,190 Referee: Joseph Dickerson

August 4, 2018 24	Real Salt Lake	2–1	Chicago Fire	Sandy, Utah
21:00	Kreilach 45+3', 75' Silva 90'	Report	Schweinsteiger 48', 90+6' Conner 55'	Stadium: Rio Tinto Stadium Attendance: 19,817 Referee: Kevin Stott

August 11, 2018 25	Chicago Fire	0–1	New York Red Bulls	Bridgeview, Illinois
19:30	Bronico 11' McCarty 42'	Report	Wright-Phillips 55' Rzatkowski 66' Royer 74' Muyl 76' Murillo 89'	Stadium: Toyota Park Attendance: 18,064 Referee: Nima Saghafi

August 18, 2018 26	Montreal Impact	2–1	Chicago Fire	Montreal, Quebec
18:30	Piatti 6' (pen.) Camacho 24' Sagna 68' Lovitz 90+1'	Report	Corrales 41' Nikolić 70' McCarty 80'	Stadium: Stade Saputo Attendance: 18,831 Referee: Baldomero Toledo

August 23, 2018 27	Chicago Fire	1–1	Columbus Crew	Bridgeview, Illinois
18:00	de Leeuw 55' Nikolić 67' Katai 69' Schweinsteiger 90+1'	Report	Higuaín 65' Hansen 87'	Stadium: Toyota Park Attendance: 8,551 Referee: Armando Villareal

September 16, 2018 28	Chicago Fire	4–0	Orlando City SC	Bridgeview, Illinois
16:00	Nikolić 3', 70' Katai 28', 58' de Leeuw 56'	Report		Stadium: Toyota Park Attendance: 16,287 Referee: Allen Chapman

September 22, 2018 29	New England Revolution	2–2	Chicago Fire	Foxborough, Massachusetts
18:30	Mlinar 31' Bye 36' Caldwell 62', 80' Bunbury 69' Penilla 70'	Report	Katai 19' McCarty 58' Mancienne 67' (o.g.) Kappelhof 78'	Stadium: Gillette Stadium Attendance: 24,388 Referee: Joe Dickerson

September 26, 2018 30	New York City FC	2–0	Chicago Fire	New York City
18:00	Tajouri-Shradi 27' Ring 47' Villa 51'	Report		Stadium: Yankees Stadium Attendance: 21,582 Referee: Jair Marrufo

September 29, 2018 31	Chicago Fire	3–1	Los Angeles FC	Bridgeview, Illinois
4:30	Mihailovic 20' McCarty 24' Nikolić 29' (pen), 56' Katai 66' Bronico 79' Kappelhof 90+3'	Report	Rossi 73'	Stadium: Toyota Park Attendance: 18,471 Referee: Chris Penso

October 7, 2018 32	D.C. United	2–1	Chicago Fire	Washington, D.C.
12:00	Rooney 62', 81' (pen.)	Report	Edwards 51' Schweinsteiger 90+4'	Stadium: Audi Field Attendance: 20,064 Referee: Ismail Elfath

October 21, 2018 33	Atlanta United FC	2–1	Chicago Fire	Atlanta
2:00 PM EDT	Escobar 9' Kappelhof 26' (o.g.) Remedi 81'	Report	de Leeuw 24' Kappelhof 72'	Stadium: Mercedes-Benz Stadium Attendance: 71,812 Referee: Drew Fischer

October 28, 2018 34	Chicago Fire	0–0	D.C. United	Bridgeview, Illinois
3:30 PM EDT	McCarty 54' Schweinsteiger 79'	Report		Stadium: Toyota Park Attendance: 19,459 Referee: Nima Saghafi

Open Cup

Kickoff times are in CST (UTC−06)

June 6, 2018 Fourth round	Columbus Crew	2–2 (a.e.t.) (9–10 p)	Chicago Fire	Columbus, Ohio
18:00	Cristian Martinez 10' Eduardo Sosa 64' Mohammed Abu 71' Alex Crognale 107' Jahn 114'	Report	Nemanja Nikolić 45', 109' Rafael Ramos 81' Dax McCarty 90+3' Aleksandar Katai 112'	Stadium: MAPFRE Stadium Attendance: 4,992 Referee: Marcos DeOliveira
	Penalties
	Valenzuela Jiménez Argudo Abubakar Jahn Martinez Crognale Sosa Abu Opoku Ketterer		Nikolić Katai McCarty Campos Schweinsteiger Bronico Lillard Corrales Ramos Campbell Sánchez

June 20, 2018 Round of 16	Atlanta United FC	0–1	Chicago Fire	Atlanta
18:30	Leandro González Pírez 81'	Report	Aleksandar Katai 39' Nemanja Nikolić 54'	Stadium: Mercedes Benz Stadium Attendance: 41,012 Referee: Rubiel Vazquez

July 18, 2018 Quarterfinals	Chicago Fire	4–0	Louisville City	Bridgeview, Illinois
19:30	Nikolić 16' Aleksandar Katai 32' Elliot Collier 86', 90+2' Diego Campos 90' Tony Tchani 90+4'	Report	Paco Craig 62' Paolo DelPiccolo 64' Kyle Smith 84' Sean Totsch 89' Magnus Rasmussen 90+3'	Stadium: Toyota Park Attendance: 2,561

August 8, 2018 Semifinals	Philadelphia Union	3–0	Chicago Fire	Chester, Pennsylvania
7:00 p.m. EDT	Cory Burke 59', 77' CJ Sapong 86'	Report	Aleksandar Katai 62'	Stadium: Talen Energy Stadium Attendance: 7,934

International friendlies

Kickoff times are in CST (UTC−06)

August 28, 2018	Bayern Munich	4–0	Chicago Fire	Munich, Germany
13:30	Serge Gnabry 7' Sandro Wagner 38' Arjen Robben 63' Bastian Schweinsteiger 82'			Stadium: Allianz Arena

Squad statistics

Games played

No.	Pos.	Nat.	Name	MLS			Open Cup			Total
No.	Pos.	Nat.	Name	Starts	Apps	Minutes	Starts	Apps	Minutes	Starts	Apps	Minutes
2	DF/MF	USA	Matt Polster	1	2	106	0	0	0	1	1	89
3	DF	USA	Brandon Vincent	30	31	2,738	2	2	180	32	33	2,918
4	DF	NED	Johan Kappelhof	29	29	2,604	3	3	270	32	32	2,874
5	FW	ARM	Yura Movsisyan	0	3	45	0	0	0	0	3	45
6	MF	USA	Dax McCarty	25	25	2,169	3	4	305	28	29	2,474
7	M/D	CAN	Raheem Edwards	9	12	826	1	1	90	10	13	916
8	FW	NED	Michael de Leeuw	5	9	454	0	0	0	5	9	454
9	FW	ARG	Luis Solignac	8	11	702	2	2	155	10	13	857
10	MF	SER	Aleksandar Katai	26	32	2,338	3	4	294	28	36	2,632
13	MF	USA	Brandt Bronico	17	23	1,531	4	4	372	21	27	1,903
14	MF	USA	Djordje Mihailovic	7	8	512	0	0	0	7	8	512
15	DF	USA	Grant Lillard	6	8	562	1	1	120	7	9	682
16	DF	USA	Jonathan Campbell	10	14	915	2	3	217	12	17	1,132
17	FW	CRC	Diego Campos	12	22	1,107	3	3	275	15	25	1,382
18	MF	USA	Drew Conner	5	11	462	0	1	5	5	12	467
19	MF	ENG	Mo Adams	10	15	908	0	0	0	10	15	908
20	MF	USA	Daniel Johnson	3	7	261	1	1	79	4	8	340
21	FW	USA	Alan Gordon	7	22	799	0	2	19	7	24	818
22	DF	LIE	Nicolas Hasler	7	9	701	1	1	85	8	10	786
23	FW	HUN	Nemanja Nikolić	28	30	2,381	4	4	378	32	34	2,759
24	DF	ARG	Nicolás Del Grecco	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
25	DF	CUB	Jorge Luis Corrales	15	17	1,292	4	4	374	19	21	1,666
26	DF	USA	Christian Dean	2	2	178	0	0	0	2	2	178
28	FW	NZL	Elliot Collier	9	16	904	1	1	90	10	17	994
30	GK	USA	Stefan Cleveland	5	5	450	0	0	0	5	5	450
31	MF	GER	Bastian Schweinsteiger	29	30	2,636	3	4	319	32	34	2,955
32	GK	USA	Patrick McLain	4	4	314	0	0	0	4	4	314
45	GK	MEX	Richard Sánchez	24	25	2,207	4	4	390	28	28	2,597
	FW	ESP	Jon Bakero	1	4	75	0	0	0	1	4	75
	DF	USA	Kevin Ellis	19	20	1,537	0	2	41	19	22	1,578
	DF	POR	Rafael Ramos	1	3	105	1	2	136	2	5	241
	MF	CMR	Tony Tchani	9	13	825	1	3	106	10	16	731

Goalkeeping statistics

No.	Pos.	Nat.	Name	MLS			Open Cup			Total
No.	Pos.	Nat.	Name	Clean sheets	Saves	GA	Clean sheets	Saves	GA	Clean sheets	Saves	GA
30	GK	USA	Stefan Cleveland	0	25	8	0	0	0	0	25	8
32	GK	USA	Patrick McLain	0	12	6	0	0	0	0	12	6
45	GK	MEX	Richard Sánchez	3	80	47	2	12	5	5	92	52

Goalscoring and assisting record

MLS Regular Season
Rank	Player		A
1	Nemanja Nikolić	15	2
2	Aleksandar Katai	12	5
3	Bastian Schweinsteiger	4	6
4	Alan Gordon	4	0
5	Kevin Ellis	2	4
6	Michael de Leeuw	2	2
7	Brandt Bronico	1	5
8	Brandon Vincent	1	4
9	Djordje Mihailovic	1	3
10	Diego Campos	1	2
10	Raheem Edwards	1	2
12	Elliot Collier	1	1
13	Tony Tchani	1	0
14	Johan Kappelhof	0	4
15	Dax McCarty	0	3
16	Jonathan Campbell	0	1
	Drew Conner
	Matt Polster
	Luis Solignac

U.S. Open Cup
Rank	Player		A
1	Nemanja Nikolić	4	0
2	Aleksandar Katai	1	1
3	Diego Campos	1	0
3	Elliot Collier	1	0
5	Bastian Schweinsteiger	0	2
6	Jorge Luis Corrales	0	1
	Rafael Ramos
	Luis Solignac

All Competitions
Rank	Player		A
1	Nemanja Nikolić	19	2
2	Aleksandar Katai	13	6
3	Bastian Schweinsteiger	4	8
4	Alan Gordon	4	0
5	Kevin Ellis	2	4
6	Diego Campos	2	2
6	Michael de Leeuw	2	2
8	Elliot Collier	2	1
9	Brandt Bronico	1	5
10	Brandon Vincent	1	4
11	Djordje Mihailovic	1	3
12	Raheem Edwards	1	2
13	Tony Tchani	1	0
14	Johan Kappelhof	0	4
15	Dax McCarty	0	3
16	Luis Solignac	0	2
17	Jonathan Campbell	0	1
	Jorge Luis Corrales
	Drew Conner
	Matt Polster
	Rafael Ramos

Cards

MLS Regular Season
Rank	Player				Matches Missed
1	Johan Kappelhof	9	0	1	June 23 vs Seattle Sounders June 30 vs New York City FC
2	Drew Conner	1	1	0	July 21 vs Toronto
3	Aleksandar Katai	6	0	0
3	Bastian Schweinsteiger	6	0	0
5	Jorge Luis Corrales	5	0	0
6	Brandt Bronico	4	0	0
	Kevin Ellis
	Dax McCarty
9	Mo Adams	3	0	0	^{[N 1]}
	Richard Sánchez
	Brandon Vincent
12	Alan Gordon	2	0	0
12	Nemanja Nikolić	2	0	0
14	Jonathan Campbell	1	0	0
	Diego Campos
	Elliot Collier
	Michael de Leeuw
	Grant Lillard
	Rafael Ramos
	Tony Tchani

U.S. Open Cup
Rank	Player
1	Aleksandar Katai	3	0	0
2	Elliot Collier	1	0	0
	Dax McCarty
	Rafael Ramos
	Tony Tchani

All Competitions
Rank	Player				Matches Missed
1	Johan Kappelhof	9	0	1	June 23 vs Seattle Sounders June 30 vs New York City FC October 28 vs D.C. United
2	Drew Conner	1	1	0	July 21 vs Toronto
3	Aleksandar Katai	9	0	0
4	Bastian Schweinsteiger	6	0	0
5	Jorge Luis Corrales	5	0	0
5	Dax McCarty	5	0	0
7	Brandt Bronico	4	0	0
7	Kevin Ellis	4	0	0
9	Mo Adams	3	0	0	^{[N 1]}
	Richard Sánchez
	Brandon Vincent
12	Elliot Collier	2	0	0
	Alan Gordon
	Nemanja Nikolić
	Rafael Ramos
	Tony Tchani
17	Jonathan Campbell	1	0	0
	Diego Campos
	Michael de Leeuw
	Grant Lillard

Notes

Player left during the season

^ ^a ^b While Adams was sent off against Orlando on May 26, his card was later removed by an independent panel

Awards

MLS Team of the Week

Week	Player	Position	Report
5	Bastian Schweinsteiger	M	Report
6	Bastian Schweinsteiger	D	Report
6	Nemanja Nikolić	Bench	Report
8	Richard Sánchez	GK	Report
8	Dax McCarty	Bench	Report
13	Alan Gordon	Bench	Report
13	Patrick McLain	Bench	Report
14	Alan Gordon	Bench	Report
15	Johan Kappelhof	D	Report
16	Aleksandar Katai	M	Report
17	Aleksandar Katai	F	Report
17	Brandt Bronico	Bench	Report
18	Aleksandar Katai	F	Report
18	Dax McCarty	Bench	Report
26	Nemanja Nikolić	Bench	Report
29	Nemanja Nikolić	Bench	Report
31	Djordje Mihailovic	M	Report

MLS Goal of the week

Week	Player	Game	Score	Report
18	Aleksandar Katai	vs New York City FC	3-2	Report
31	Djordje Mihailovic	vs LAFC	1-0	Report

Tulsa loanee statistics

The Fire renewed their affiliation with Tulsa for another season on January 12, 2018.^[34] The affiliation allows for players to be called back at any point or loaned out at any point.

Loaned out

The following players were loaned out during the season:

Player	Position	Notes	Ref
Stefan Cleveland	GK
Jon Bakero	FW	Traded to Toronto on July 20
Nicolás Del Grecco	FW	Officially loaned out on August 10	^[35]
Mo Adams	MF

Games played

No.	Pos.	Nat.	Name	USL			Open Cup			Total
No.	Pos.	Nat.	Name	Starts	Apps	Minutes	Starts	Apps	Minutes	Starts	Apps	Minutes
4	DF		Nicolás Del Grecco	1	1	90	0	0	0	1	1	90
30	GK		Stefan Cleveland	1	1	90	0	0	0	1	1	90
91	MF		Mo Adams	0	1	45	0	0	0	0	1	45
	FW		Jon Bakero	2	3	202	0	0	0	2	3	202

Goalscoring and assisting record

USL Regular Season
Rank	Player		A
	Jon Bakero	2	1

Cards

USL Regular Season
Rank	Player				Matches Missed
1	Nicolás Del Grecco	1	0	0

Goalkeeping statistics

No.	Pos.	Nat.	Name	USL			Open Cup			Total
No.	Pos.	Nat.	Name	Clean sheets	Saves	GA	Clean sheets	Saves	GA	Clean sheets	Saves	GA
30	GK		Stefan Cleveland	0	4	2	0	0	0	0	4	2

Notes

Player left during the season

National team call-ups

Armenia
Yura Movsisyan

UEFA Nations League Match vs Gibraltar, October 13 (Started, played 69 minutes)
UEFA Nations League Match vs Macedonia, October 16 (Started, played 74 minutes, scored one goal)

Hungary
Nemanja Nikolić

Friendly vs Luxembourg, November 9, 2017 (Started, played 75 minutes, scored one goal)
Friendly vs Costa Rica, November 14, 2017 (Started, played 81 minutes, scored one goal)
Friendly vs Kazakhstan, March 23 (Started, played 76 minutes)
Friendly vs Scotland, March 27 (Subbed on, played 7 minutes)

Liechtenstein
Nicolas Hasler

UEFA Nations League Match vs Armenia, September 6 (Started, played 90 minutes, assisted one goal)
UEFA Nations League Match vs Gibraltar, September 9 (Started, played 90 minutes)
UEFA Nations League Match vs Macedonia, October 13 (Started, played 90 minutes)
UEFA Nations League Match vs Gibraltar, October 16 (Started, played 90 minutes)

United States
Matt Polster

Friendly vs Bosnia and Herzegovina, January 28 (Started, played 90 minutes)

Brandon Vincent

Friendly vs Bosnia and Herzegovina, January 28 (Did not play)

References

External links

Official website

[Mo_Adams_Red-34] While Adams was sent off against Orlando on May 26, his card was later removed by an independent panel

[Options-1] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u "Chicago Fire Soccer Club Exercises Contract Options on 11 Players | Chicago Fire FC".

[2] "Chicago Fire Soccer Club Signs Grant Lillard as Homegrown Player | Chicago Fire FC".

[3] "Chicago Fire Soccer Club re-signs goalkeeper Richard Sanchez | Chicago Fire FC". chicagofirefc.

[4] "Chicago Fire Soccer Club Re-Signs Designated Player Bastian Schweinsteiger | Chicago Fire FC".

[5] "Chicago Fire Acquire Defender Rafael Ramos and Targeted Allocation Money from Orlando City SC | Chicago Fire FC".

[Draft-6] "2018 Superdraft | MLSsoccer.com". Archived from the original on January 19, 2018.

[7] "Chicago Fire Soccer Club Acquires Midfielder Tony Tchani from Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Chicago Fire FC".

[Campos_Collier-8] "Chicago Fire Soccer Club Signs 2018 MLS SuperDraft Picks Diego Campos and Elliot Collier | Chicago Fire FC".

[Ellis_McLain-9] "Chicago Fire Soccer Club Adds Kevin Ellis and Patrick McLain | Chicago Fire FC". chicagofirefc.

[10] "Chicago Fire Soccer Club Signs Alan Gordon | Chicago Fire FC". chicagofirefc.

[11] "Chicago Fire Secure Transfer of Aleksandar Katai | Chicago Fire FC". chicagofirefc.

[12] "Chicago Fire Soccer Club Signs Argentine Defender Nicolás del Grecco | Chicago Fire FC".

[13] "Chicago Fire Acquire Raheem Edwards | Chicago Fire FC".

[chicago-fire.com-14] "Chicago Fire Acquire Nicolas Hasler | Chicago Fire FC".

[15] "Chicago Fire Acquire Forward Yura Movsisyan | Chicago Fire FC".

[16] Twitter post

[17] "Chicago Fire Soccer Club Acquires 2019 MLS SuperDraft Pick from Houston Dynamo in Exchange for Arturo Alvarez | Chicago Fire FC".

[18] "Chicago Fire Soccer Club and Forward David Arshakyan Mutually Terminate Contract | Chicago Fire FC".

[19] "Chicago Fire Soccer Club and Goalkeeper Jorge Bava Mutually Terminate Contract | Chicago Fire FC". chicagofirefc.

[20] "Goalkeeper Lampson Joins MNUFC from Chicago Fire | Minnesota United FC". MNUFC.

[21] "Philadelphia Union get David Accam from Chicago Fire in $1.2M trade | MLSSoccer.com".

[22] "Chicago Fire Soccer Club and Defender Rafael Ramos Mutually Terminate Contract | Chicago Fire FC". chicagofirefc.

[ReferenceA-23] "Chicago Fire Waive Defender Kevin Ellis and Midfielder Tony Tchani | Chicago Fire FC". chicagofirefc.

[24] "Aleksandar Katai cedido al Chicago Fire | Alavés – Web Oficial".

[ReferenceB-25] "Chicago Fire Loan Diego Campos and Elliot Collier to Indy Eleven | Chicago Fire FC".

[February_12-26] "Chicago Fire return to Florida for third phase of preseason at IMG Academy | Chicago Fire FC".

[Preseason_Camp_One-27] "Fire announce roster for start of 2018 training camp Tuesday | Chicago Fire FC".

[Preseason_February_26-28] "Weekly Update: Fire return to Chicago to continue preseason training | Chicago Fire FC".

[Preseason_Camp_February_19-29] "Weekly Schedule & Roster Update: Fire enter last phase of off-site preseason work | Chicago Fire FC".

[30] Chicagofirefc. "Fire set for first friendly of 2018 preseason, face USF Saturday in Tampa | Chicago Fire FC". Chicagofirefc.

[31] Twitter post

[32] "Fire set to face Philadelphia Union in preseason friendly on Thursday | Chicago Fire FC". chicagofirefc.

[Rivera_Preseason-33] Twitter post

[35] "Chicago Fire Soccer Club Renews USL Affiliation with Tulsa Roughnecks FC | Chicago Fire FC".

[36] "Chicago Fire Loan Nicolas del Grecco to USL Affiliate Tulsa Roughnecks FC | Chicago Fire FC".

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