Why spoil a perfectly good afterglow? Relax. Enjoy Thanksgiving. Seriously. I am not surprised he is still shown on roster. Several postings and common sense say Fire will try to salvage some value from that diasterous signing. Fire further along in acquisition process than many teams. Expect the departure of Acosta to be a lengthy drawnout process, possibly dragging on until 2026.
Noooo not Barlow gone! Where will I get the banana! J/K. I liked him but as a down the bench man if for very cheap. I wish him the best moving forward but made sense to let him go.
Agree. He does have reasonable defense and good effort. Some team may be able to use him as a backup to a different position where those abilities are sufficient.
Old Coach- you have asked a couple times if there are limits on salaries paid to Supplemental Roster players. Query “ MLS salary cap details updated for 2025” for an article related to the topic. This came out 1-8-25 at PhillySoccerPage.com. It lists the participation/ achievement bonuses payable to Supplemental Roster players. It does not specifically mention strict max salaries but there would be no need for specific rules such as these if there were no limits. This appears to answer the question why some Supp players are paid a little more. Not definitive but clearly supportive. Also, it reminded me that Senior Roster players are (mostly?) paid for by the MLS while the Supplemental contracts are all paid by club owner/operator. They are not part of the budget. Just thought you might be interested.
I was pondering the oddity of the lack of reporting on Koutsias... It has been said by various people 'he has no interest in coming back here', but he'd be a decent Barlow replacement. Then I remembered he was a U22 tag, and we already have to many of those....so....can he be sold and generate an additional 1mil GAM to use this year?! I suspect there are restrictions on doing that with a sister club, but maybe he is recalled from his loan and sold elsewhere to actualize that GAM for the Fire Anddddd....that would make it way easier to untag and keep Guti around for a bit.
Koutsias was acquired for about $2.5 million prior to 2023 season and signed a 4 year contract. That seems to indicate his acquisition fee will 3/4 amortized shortly resulting in a remaining residual of (say) $650k. Transfermarkt thinks he is worth about $3 million now. Apparently there were some “offers” from European teams in this general neighborhood which were cited during the MLS review process prior to his move to Lugano. This indicates potential Sales GAM of at least $2 million. I suspect there is an ongoing discussion about the best route to take- sale to Lugano or sale to Greek club mentioned recently or sale to other European club -and when is the best time to sell. All this blather is predicated on the oft-repeated mantra that Koutsias was not happy in Chicago. A further assumption is that there is not a “special” MLS rule saying the acquisition fee for U22s or sales to related entities cannot be amortized. If either assumption is incorrect, then who knows what the deal is.
Old Coach- Additional Updates 9) Barlow - gone 10)) Mbokazi - Acquisition fee of $3,000,000, Contract term quoted as “4 years plus option for 29/30”. A little confusing but will use 4 years. His Orlando salary was $120,000 plus performance add-ons and Nat team pay - less than $150,000 total. New Fire salary info. unavailable, saw one estimate of $350k to $400k. Guess might be $400,000. Using these terms, calculated cap hit would be only $1,150,000 ($3,000,000/4 + $400k). As a U22, it will be only $150,000.
Not exactly Budget Resources, but I'm not digging back for the proper thread. So: https://www.footyheadlines.com/2025/12/chicago-fire-2026-home-kit.html
Yeah, kinda splitting the difference between original Nike collar and the Puma white stripe across the chest with some curve to it. Definitely digging the collar.
How about it, Old Coach. Are you planning on an update to your spreadsheet before the Fre Agency, SuperDraft, EtAl erupts? It would help define the current status of Fire roster. If so, my suggestions at posting #332.
Update tracker: Disclaimer: For entertainment value only! It is possible there are factors that are not public that would ripple through this. And there are probably a couple mistakes I didn't find, but feels close to accurate. Assumptions: 1) Based on Teran, Koutsias, and any other sales, I'm presuming GGG will max out the sales conversion to GAM ($3mil). 2) A 3rd DP is included on the sheet, but either the DP will need to wait until summer or at least one of Acosta or Guti will have to be moved to make it work in early 2026. 3) Despite common views that Acosta and Guti will be gone, for now they remain in the calculations....as there are no official announcements on either. 4) Guti and Radejovic are shown untagged to allow the switch from 2+4 to 3+3. If waiting until summer for the DP, we can leave one of them U22 tagged and be budget compliant. IF we sell Guti, move Acosta and sign a DP all by the April compliance date, it appears we will have 2 senior slots open and ~$1.7mil to spend. The conversion of sales to Garber bucks is a HUGE factor!
I appreciate your efforts but I feel the need to question a couple listings. My comments relate to #332. I believe as follows: Zinck= $1,803,125, Franco= $ $1,097,083, Saletros= $1,803,125 You chose to use $500,000 for Other Fees, Misc, I prefer $1,000,000- “fine” You chose not to recognize Guti sale yet and retain Acosta for now. I feel they will happen but “fine”. Interestingly, our differences somewhat offset and the final numbers are quite close. (As an aside, it might make more sense for Fire to untag Barroso as U22.)
Will review later tonight, but I’m curious how you are thinking Zinck is 1.8mil….my number is based on the MlS Salary Guide and amortizing his fee over 4yr contract. Oh, and it’s super clear to me Acosta must go and GGG has the choice with Guti…but that could impact the Garber bucks amount. Either way the remaining ‘bucket of money’ for 2 senior spots is ‘the discussion’.
Per 10-25 MLSPA Salary Guide, Zinck 2025 total compensation was $1,631,290. Add to that the acquisition fee amortization amount ($872,950/4 ) of $218,237 yields an est cap hit of slightly over the maximum allowable of $1,803,125. Either the acquisition fee estimate is very slightly too high or a small portion of the “add-ons”were not included by the league or a “ special rule”. Whatever, the answer has to be $1,803,125.
Under my approach, I departed Acosta, sold Guti and made the other adjustments just mentioned. That left a positive balance of $968,187. The two most pressing needs in my opinion are a quality CAM and a backup ST. This amount might (barely)be enough to make these two acquisitions. Fire might find a small amount of Budget Resources somewhere to help. Maybe a sale of a Supplemental player who did not need replacement or maybe a small”residual” from disposal of Acosta but prospects are limited. Removing U22 tag from Barroso rather than Radojevic would help by roughly $100,000 Going to be a tight budget squeeze again, tighter than I first envisioned. These numbers have no allowance for a mid-season DP,
Running errands so don’t have access to the file, but I’m m surprised we’d be so far apart (I included DP and Acosta+Guti is ~2.5). Regarding CAM, unless they can also be the backup striker, I think Zinck can do it, Franco can do it(once he’s back) and it would seem Saletros can as well (despite wearing #6 he appears to be a box to box8). One might even argue Saletros is Guti’s replacement…the type of 8 GGG wants for the 4-3-3. I’m now more concerned, with CDM…D’avilla is not yet a player that stabilizes our GA and ‘bosses’ the midfield. He’s showing good progress, just not yet at the level a team needs to make a deep playoff run. ….Bamba…Cuypers…..Zinck ……..Saletros…….Franco ………..……….DP Gutman…TLD…..Elliot…Barroso Striker depth: ?one of the Supplementals? winger depth: Mueller & MHS (if he stays) Dual 8 depth: Oregel, Poreba CDM depth: D’avilla, Pineda Summary: sign DP CDM & a TAM Swiss Army knife that can play striker, CAM, 8, Wing…leave the 20th spot open. Or if Griezmann will come, sign him as the DP Swiss Army knife and get a TAM CDM.
We are closer than first glance indicates. In round numbers- agree DP + Guti + Acosta equals roughly $3.3 million. You were at negative $900k so now at positive $2.4 million. I am using $1million estimate for Waterman GAM, contractual salary increases and at least three international slots, while you used $500k. That reduces your number to positive $1.9 million compared to my positive $900k when adjusted for be comparable on comparable basis. I will run my calculations again and see if I have made an error.
As mentioned, I'll rereview as well, but quick point regarding Waterman....I included amortization of his $500k acquisition fee up in his comp and the mention of him below is a carry over from the 250 for his INTL slot we had to buy...and a second (for Radejovic?). Seems I may need to add a fee for a 3rd INTL slot (for Mbokazi).
That was quick- found it! Corrected figure for me is $1,968,187. Got a sign wrong on one entry. So we really are very close when adjusted to be on a comparable basis. The correct answer is about $1.9 million Budget Resources Available after sale of Guti and departure of Acosta and Other,Misc needs of only $500k Total Budget Resources for 2026 should be $14.38 million Total Salary Cap Hits of $11.86 million + Other, Misc of $500k equals $12.36 million Budget Resources Needed for roster as shown would be $12.36 million Available Budget Resources of about $1.9 million is result This amount could potentially be used for backup ST, CAM, Lewy, backup GK, backup Winger or DM acquisitions. But Not All of These!!! Probably only two. Senior Roster listed has 17 players and 12 internationals including Glasgow. Will be interesting to see which choices are made by GGG and crew.
Chris Mueller is set to be on the Chicago Fire’s supplemental roster for 2026 because of the financial details of his new contract. This opens a spot on the senior roster. ✅Still lots of moving pieces on the roster-building front as the offseason progresses.#cf97 #vamosfire pic.twitter.com/MoTurp0hki— Alex Calabrese (@amcalabrese12) December 10, 2025 Updated tracker: Disclaimer: For entertainment value only! It is possible there are factors that are not public that would ripple through this. And there are probably a couple mistakes I didn't find, but feels close to accurate. Remarks: Resorted to make easier to see the U22 tags, recent acquisitions and the projected moves. Updated Waterman's Cap Hit based off reviewing how the 500k GAM is being paid (200/300) and removed it from the Fees section. Fees have a guess at 4 INTL slots purchased for $150k ea....hard to imagine this happening, but we have to do something about the quantity of INTLs we have. Might the DP signing be a USMNT player to avoid needing a tag? Might see MHS sold to reconnect with his family and reduce the INTL count. Wonder if we see Radejovic this season or if he might be loaned out to avoid the cap hit (from untagging him) and reduce the INTL count.
OldCoach- reads better, good change Couple issues remaining for next update. Your Franco listing to just wrong. Porto and other sources specifically stated fee was $750,000 plus a possible $250,000 in add-ons during the 2.5 year contract ( retained a 50% sell-on) Some add-ons are included in cap hit calculation and some are not. Max Cap Hit would $1,000,000/2.5 or $400,000 plus $697,083 salary or $1,097,083 max. Saletros acquisition fee was $3,160,000 which results in a ( convenient) cap hit of $1,803,125. These two corrections increases available salary cap space back to $1.9 million.
Whoops! One more! Re: Waterman. His cap hit is still $500,000/2 or $250,000 plus the total comp of $555,400 or $805,400. That is the Salary Budget Charge need for Resources- to the league. Additionally, the second installment of the acquisition fee in the amount of $300,000 GAM is payable-to the selling entity. Both amounts must be paid- for different purposes and to different entities. Please add this back to your spreadsheet, there is no question about this. As you previously noted, if DP purchase delayed to mid-season, Fire could receive $1,000,000 in Option GAM. But then they would be short a starting CM/ CAM for 4-3-3 formation.
Old Coach- Update and summary after Guti and Koutsias announcements (on Sat!) Adjusted for my recent couple comments, still assuming Acosta departed. Guti sale clearly maxes out Sales GAM at $3 million. Added to Basic League Resources of $11.83 m. Total Resources Available-$14,830,000 16 players currently on Senior Roster for 2026 total $11,461,813. Additional Add-ons: Reserved DP $803,125, Waterman (2026 portion) fee $300,000, International slots $600,000. Total Resources Needed - $13,164,938 Remaining Resources- $1,665,062 as of 12-13 17 players, including new DP, on Senior Roster and 12 on Supplemental ( As indicated above, assumes Acosta departed, 12 international slots)
A thought came to mind about the sales converted to GAM…if we spend it all in 2026 we will be in a difficult position in 2027. In that we will likely not have 3mil more sales to convert to GAM. Since it doesn’t expire (like TAM or 2+4bonus GAM), it may make sense to only plan to spend half this year and the other half next year. But…that means we can only afford the DP and that’s about it. Cant recall the rule around the minimum number on the senior roster (17 or 18). Bottom line, GGG is going to have to be creative to avoid creating a ‘problem’ for 2027.