Here's a stab at the "current" Fire II lineup. This doesn't count further academy players, first team players dropping down, and additional signings. All players are either under contract per Transfermarkt (except Cassano), or current academy players.
Curious...what does anyone think of Shokalook? I saw him a number of times last year and like what I see...yet...also think he somehow underperforms. Not sure thus what to make of him yet.
A later press release states home field "yet to be determined". Hopefully they will be able to play at UIC's Flames Field.
Several names that surfaced recently ( Cassano, Milson, Moriera) are perhaps Fire I or perhaps Fire II. Are they actively pursuing international players for Fire II. Seems like it. This would be a change, I think.
Fire II has had plenty of internationals last season. Blake, Rochester - Jamaica Konnicks - Netherlands Diouf - Senegal Glasgow - Guyana Tchetchao - Benin Osorio - El Salvador Calle - Colombia Koffi - France/Ivory Coast What's different is the quality of the new & rumored players seems to be higher. Only Diouf, Calle, Osorio, & Tchetchao are under contract for 2025. IMO, only Calle doesn't have a chance at the first team.
Appreciate your comments. I was aware Fire II had numerous internationals but thought they were players already in the US ( college,etc.) I could be wrong on this. Latest names are clearly players based abroad.
Former Fire II and Academy player Trip Fleming signs a Fire II deal through the 2026 season with a club option year. Too bad this deal couldn't have been done before he wasted 2 seasons in Madison. https://www.chicagofirefc.com/two/news/chicago-fire-fc-ii-signs-midfielder-richard-fleming-iii
This is now confirmed. Brody Williams is a member of Chicago Fire on a second team deal that I am assuming turns into a homegrown. He will start with the U16s.Williams does not yet have a 🇺🇸 passport, but it is being worked on. When/if that comes through, he would be one of the… https://t.co/uh4qxCi7eg— Marcus Chairez | US/SC (@USSoccerColl) March 18, 2025
Young Alex with some more details on the Brody Williams/Fire II deal. Williams was a territorial "protected rights" player, meaning any other MLS team had to go through the Fire first to sign him. He's South African born, but apparently his family has lived in the Chicago area the last 4 years. His level is considered to be only slightly below Robert Turdean (my compilation of opinions) . https://meninred97.com/sources-brody-williams-signs-fire-ii-contract/
Great information. Thanks. FWIW- Not the only reason by any means, but I feel the the hiring of GGG is the major contributing factor to recent multiple signings of top young prospects. Just another example of the value a top coach can provide.
To the program. Lots of comments for years about how much talent in Chicago metro area AND how much of it leaves.
Be interesting to know if any were started by Heitz and company, and just being moved on, or ground up in 3months
The relationships with local clubs were destroyed by the previous regime. A lot of effort was put into rebuilding those relationships and trust. It’s one of the better things Heitz helped direct and the responsible parties are still around to continue to drive it forward. EDIT: I have no doubt having Gregg’s name attached helps, too.
Not all inclusive academy departures & not signed in the last couple of years: Most of them are past or current youth national team players. Gio Villa - RB '08 RSL Chase Adams - CF '08 Columbus Leo Orejarena - AM '07 Dallas Marius Aiyenero - CF '08 LAFC Jarrell Bonilla - CF '08 Orlando Aaron Ineh - CF '07 Revs Joel Ineh - RB '06 Cincy Nick Nobles - CB '07 RSL
Coincidentally, just now read about Martin Krug, a 6’4” CB Panama National Team member born in 2006. He left Chicago in 2022 to play in Spain after playing in Chicago from age 5. His twin brother plays on Panama Youth International Team. His father is German-American and his mother is Panamanian.