If only it were that simple! How long is the loan, Is loan to another MLS team, an affiliate, a related entity or none of above, can player be recalled, how long is loan, how big a fee is new club paying, how much of player’s salary will be paid by new club are apparently all part of the MLS decision process. And then, there are MLS “ Special Rules”. Sometimes it seems like MLS rules are being written by former IRS attorneys.
New MIR Fire Roster Tracker was just posted. It lists 19 Senior Roster players and 10 Supplemental plus Turdean as an off-roster homegrown. The Senior Roster includes Acosta (a problem I hope is remedied in next few weeks) plus Dean and Oregel shifted over from Supplemental. Guessing their 2026 salary exceeds max allowed for Supplemental Roster players. Fire signed new contracts with both of them in 2025.
If Saletros is as good as envisioned, the 3-4-3 lineup shown will work. However, with a strong CAM and using Saletros as the holding CM, it might work even better. I think GGG will play 4-3-3 half the matches. That is when a new strong CAM is especially needed IMO. Oregel does not supply enough offense. D’Avilla, Saletros and new CAM would work well. It would be helpful if new CAM was versatile enough to also function as backup ST or backup Winger. ( Not sure if it will be Dean or Barroso at RB.)
What's the rush with Acosta? We can wait until roster compliance day to use the buyout. Put pressure on other teams to trade for him to get in a preseason with them.
If neither party can find a mutually acceptable landing spot for Acosta the only deadline is the season opening roster deadline. Probably teams that might be interested know he will be cut loose by then. If MLS had some kind of salary floor a team needed to make like the NHL he might be useful for a draft pick or GAM, but no one is in a hurry.
Last year that date was Feb.21, 2025. Expecting a similiar date this year. Good to get the acquisition process, including league approval, completed in time for players to participate in all, or at least most, of preseason.activity. As long as Fire knows what they intend to do and can accomplish it while Acosta still an open item, no reason to rush on Acosta disposal.
Even at Supplemental Roster salary levels, not sure he provides anything the Fire needs right now that is not provided by others on team. Once again, kinda not a fit.
Maybe he comes into camp in great shape and has a monster preseason. We have our CDM for 2026! Oh, wait, this is not the Optimism Thread,? With everyone discussing Acosta's departure, I thought it was
If Acosta is up for it, sure. His next deal will be much less than his current deal. He might be in the way of an up & comer if there was a clear up & comer. I like Trip Fleming (8g 5a; 25ga, 2113' w/Fire II), who has a well rounded game as a 6/8, but there hasn't been a Homegrown 1st team deal yet.
Of course it would have to be a concession from him AND a need for Gregg. Not anything we all know could happen but he’s a solid, experienced, veteran. If not us, someone needs him.
He’d probably need/want a ‘post contract’ gig with the club to ‘make him whole’…as he can force a buyout that would cost us the full 1.8 anyway…but at least it could reduce the cap hit
No post contract gig would be worth that much to Acosta. Then we get into the same rut we did with Gaston. It only costs money to Mansueto. He just pocketed money from Guti's sale and I think they have Teran sale GAM for 2026. Cut bait and use the TAM money/slot for a new player. GGG didn't bring him here and I doubt he will be on the season opening roster.
Another good article by Tim Holze, from today's news page! https://meninred97.com/mbokazi-in-gutierrez-and-koutsias-out-updated-chicago-fire-roster/ I include it here as we have an updated roster chart!:
NOOOOOOOOO!!!! 🚨 BREAKING:"Robert Lewandowski has received an offer from Inter Miami to join the club next summer. The player is already looking for a home in Miami." [MARCA] 🤯🔥 pic.twitter.com/V63uIRBlc3— MessiXtra (@MessiXtraHQ) December 16, 2025
Thinking about Fire Roster last night. With the recently posted MIR Roster Tracker and Depth Chart plus Old Coach’s ( for entertainment value only!) Est Cap Hit spreadsheet, there is a tremendous amount of helpful info. for Fire soccer nerds, like me. This far exceeds anything available a couple of years ago. All this will be confirmed and/or supplemented when official MLS Roster Profile is released next spring. Included then will be the actual remaining Available GAM for the Fire. GGG and crew keep a tight lid on any roster activity in progress but they do provide insight into intended actions and helpful explanations after completion. (You miss wish to preserve these items for future use.by saving them to a separate album in your photos.)