Rumor: News/Rumor: 2024 Chicago Fire Roster Speculation

I’ll review when I get home, but I think Gaston added a year in his contract rework

 

Per 10-7-22 Heitz announcement, Gemenez contract was reduced from DP (to Max-TAM?) and extended 2 additional years to 12-31-25!

 

Not sure what that phrase means. I do know his contract will be a heavy load for three more years.

 

Che cavolo!

 

Gesundheit!

 

Bump! Idle thoughts while waiting for the Austin lineup news. Some teams play young players and/or non-starters in non-league matches and tournaments. The team gets an opportunity to review players outside practice, reward them for their efforts in practices and manage the minutes of key players. The players relish the chance to compete, especially if it is something that matters, and it improves morale.
The obvious downside is a weaker squad for the match.
The Fire has 7 players in this category (Burks, Casas, Dean, Gal, Monis, Omsberg and A. Rodriquez) with contracts expiring at year-end. Bezerra, Oregel, Reynolds and M Rodriquez contracts expire in
later years. Thoughts/ Comments?

 

I would not play Burks. Seen enough of him. That is my only thought.

 

First of all, at this point, the US Open is too valuable for us to risk playing a "weaker squad" for the match. It is our chance to salvage the season. We should not waste that opportunity to "reward" the kids.

I only see two players on your list who are close to MLS quality-Omsberg and Dean, and I am not really sure about Dean at this point.
I actually had to look up a couple of the players as I did not recognize their names.

I think the problem is that we have had very few league games this season where we could "afford" to toss those players out there.
We are damned good a giving up leads late in games with our starters/regular subs, just imagine if we tossed a couple of those guys out there and gave up a lead.

 

I think MHS and even Kamara have slid up the list since the OP

 

Just to clarify-I am not proposing we start them, just asking for comments/ thoughts. In addition to making it difficult to sub in late game situations, a weak bench makes it harder to manage minutes, less play by backups and reduced morale. MLS Next helps a little but it is not the same. US Open play would benefit the players more.

 

Agree with both of you...can't "roll out the kids" in the USOC and MHS+Kei have shown clear "MLS roster value".

I'd add, as much as it's easy to throw shade at Herbers, for $310k he has provided more value than multiple players making more than him. He is a good example of the type of depth player you need in the MLS...unfortunately he has had to start a lot(9 of 12). I'd keep him around.

Not out of contract, the "concerning players" are Jairo (1.1), Przybylko(1.1m), Mueller(600k), & Aceves (300k but might be a loan).

We have room for 1DP + 1TAM, so it makes you wonder if there is a new player that would "unlock" something with the concerning players, OR if there are trades possible (other teams have "good on paper" players they want to get rid of too).

 

I believe both MHS and Aceves are loans, at least at this time. Not sure of their impact on budget/salary cap. Clearly we ( need to) have room for a DP striker.
Given the mandatory DP, 2 players on loan and the recent salary information, I am not sure how much room we actually have. There are always a number of unknown items, often relating to amounts carried forward. I have not seen any attempts at estimating the answer in about a year. Anybody seen a new one?

 

Used these numbers to update our roster compliance estimate & as long as #cf97 loan out a homegrown or two they should be able to add a DP & a Czichos level TAM player during the summer window. https://t.co/NIL3s8muJw

— Logan's Squares (@LogansSquares) May 16, 2023

 

Any detail available?

 

I'm NOT starting this rumor, I'm repeating the rumor I heard from a source who knows as much (or as little more specifically) as I do. Has anyone else heard rumblings of Brian McBride being approached to be the new Fire GM/Sporting Director? I can see Mansueto likes Heitz and maybe moves him to another role in the club (or Lugano?) and brings the recently former US Soccer TD and Chicago area resident and former Fire McBride in. Maybe it was just wishful thinking from said Fire fandom collective but it makes a lot of sense both timing wise and as a fit. It also makes sense because then the new TD could get a jump on the summer transfer window before this season is a loss.

From January '23
https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/sports/report-brian-mcbride-out-as-usmnt-general-manager/2955329/

 

I know little about his administrative career but given his performance as a player and an all-around icon with Fire, Fullham
and the USMNT, I would love to see that.

 

Nah, but I had some DMs with LoganSquares and they have a working file with multiple eyeballs on it to track what is publicly stated/published.
I had been doing the same, by myself, and stopped when I determined they had found a couple of things I missed.

 

Why can't the Fire sign Cho Gue-sung?

 

Ok, not meaning to imply they were not a valid source. My “ guesstimate” is that Fire has at least that much room. I was hoping there might be a source for carry forward.

 

What would we do with a big, strong, fast two-footed aerialist striker with an international reputation?

 

FYI- forgot to include young (25)