Fall 2024 MLSPA Players salary release triggered a thought. Would not be surprised at all if there is a list of available Fire players circulating. Prime candidates for this list would be the following YE 2025 decisions with total compensation as shown-Gimenez-1,633k ( + DP slot), Mueller-712k,Souquet 700k and Navarro-557k. Not exactly sure how much of Gaspar cost is actually paid by Fire but at 525k, he might also be on the list. There may be more but these most likely,IMO.
Excellent MIR article by Alex C. (and Tim H)listing Fall 2024 Chicago Fire guaranteed compensation figures as provided by MLS Players Association. They are color-coded for player’s current contract status. Good Reference, would be nice if he keeps updating it. He continues to do good work. One interesting note is that Shaqiri is not listed on it, possible implication being that Fire did not pay him for second half of season. Hmmm?
#cf97 drop to the middle of the pack in salaries without the dead weight of Shaqiri. Expect they’ll be back in the upper half next season. https://t.co/9sDiC8aqjh— Guillermo Rivera (@FireConf) October 25, 2024
Possibly yes, possibly no. Moving Gimenez and (Souquet or Mueller) and adding 2 DPs at $3,000,000 salary each puts Fire at about $21,000,000. This would be between Cincinnati and Nashville on this list.
We were averaging 1.04 PPG with Shaqiri on the roster, .5 PPG without him on the roster. Is .5 PPG DP level?
It would be nice if the Fire were middle of the pack in terms of performance since that would mean that they would be in the playoffs. I can care less about the salary table.
I like Fabi as a human and agree with pretty much others who say while he's a useful piece on the bench to trot out after the 60th, or to plug holes in an injury decimated lineup, he's not exactly the type of guy you want to pencil in your starting 11 weekly. Unfortunately this Fire club has a LOT of guys who fit that latter description already and they have to clear roster spots before they can bring new guys in. Since the timing is right it makes sense to let him go knowing that's its unfortunate he weren't someone less valuable. If they weren't going to offer him a contract at his current rate and tried to negotiate him down, it'd be very likely that San Diego and the expansion would get him because of the reasons mentioned regarding his usefulness as a squad guy. On the one hand it's sad to see him go but on the other, it's time to turn the page. Thank you for your service sir. Footboom1: Herbers Leaves Chicago and is 'Open to Anything' - 'Not Just Looking at Germany' https://www.footboom1.com/en/news/f...-open-to-anything-not-just-looking-at-germany
If you have not looked at MLS Box-to-Box recently, I would suggest you should. (Sorry my deficient technical skills do not allow me to post it here.) Good MLS team payroll info.there. Fire one of only 8 whose payroll went down. At -15.6%, their decline was second largest trailing only Atlanta at -23.3%. Overall, including all teams and entire rosters, salaries increased over 9%. Just like Toronto and Miami are outliers on the high side, Chicago and Atlanta are outliers with substantial payroll declines. Lists “average” salary at $596k versus “median” at only $308k. This wider than typical divergence is a result of the starkly lower salaries for Supplemental players. A better breakdown would be an “average” salary of roughly $750k for the Senior roster and only $100k for the Supplementals. Many experts say the key to team success is maximizing contributions from DPs and U22s. Not disagreeing but teams also benefit greatly if they have starters/ contributors who earn only $100k.
Fire currently has 21 players under contract for 2025 season. They are as follows: Strikers(4)-Cuypers, Koutsias, Barlow, Rodriquez Wingers(2)- Mueller, Halle-Selasie Offensive Midfield(1)- Gutierrez Defensive Midfield(3)- Acosta, Gimenez, Navarro Left Back(2)- Gutman, Gasper Center Back(2)- Teran, Salquist Right Back(2)- Souquet, Reynolds Goalkeeper(2)- Brady, Gal Utility(3)- Pineda, Dean, Oregel IMO, based upon above, Fire’s Greatest Needs are: DP #10, Winger, Center Back, Right Back, #8 There are 9 roster spots, 4 international slots and a DP available currently. Given the various statements regarding expected activity and a willingness to invest the necessary money, adding these 5 new starters seems very possible. While there are discussions in progress with 2 players (Omsberg, Casas) and 3 loan decisions (Dowd, Bezerra, Wootton), none of these are likely starters. IMO, based upon player performance and, to a lesser degree, player salary, there are currently (at least) five players who are Expendable: Gimenez, Souquet, Mueller, Navarro, Gaspar Agree or Disagree? All comments welcome.
Minor nit to pick. Though Gaspar is paid a high salary and should occupy a senior roster spot he is gamed into a supplemental slot. Otherwise solid analysis.
Tough one to call. Fire apparently got help on 2024 salary-have not heard that will happen in 2025. Also, initial (few) performances were miserable,IMO. Some issues in past, not sure he is a fit. But???
Isn’t that decline purely because we cut/dropped half of Shaqiri’s oversized salary? This makes sense, because ‘market value’ is ‘unbridled’ by those tags…spend what you can for the same roster cost as everyone else’s use of them. Compare Shaq, Puig, Acosta…same roster cost…variance in contract costs. The $100k guys are similar but more about giving the right guy a chance…wonder how many $100k guys start for their clubs?
Correct. Fire payroll decline due to Shaqiri departure. I mentioned the Fire and Atlanta were outliers because they obscure the actual underlying trends. They both had “abnormal” years. Without them, MLS payrolls went up more than 10% year-over-year. Likewise, the oversized total payrolls of Miami and Toronto distort that data point. You get a better understanding of the data if you (judiciously) discard clear outliers.
Not "moves" per se, but the club is hosting an "limited invite event" next Thursday to hear from GGG...he's going to share his vision, goals, and "what's to come for our club....on and off the pitch". Not clear who receives invites...think I was invited because I've been a STH for a while and notified them I would not be renewing. I suspect the rep is trying to keep me engaged... Don't expect to hear anything about roster moves, but I am interested to hear if he prefers a 'chose players to fit target tactics' or 'chose tactics to fit the strengths of the roster' approach.
I don't think we'll hear anything until after MLS Cup at the earliest. When does the trade window open up?
Where is there any strength on this roster besides maybe goal & striker? I think that answers a lot of your question.
What is this "MLS Cup" of which you speak? The Chicago Fire have not heard that term since 2003! Does it still exist?!? I thought they changed the name to Messi League Soccer Cup 2023!