Untagging Rad was baked into the spreadsheet for shifting from 2+4 to 3+3...don't think that's an issue. Regarding leaving Franco off the roster, I think (not sure) that it just keeps him from being on a game day roster...he can still practice with the club.
Pondering the upcoming season, it is exciting to feel like it's not just another rebuild....GGG has brought structure, stability and expectations, and Papa Joe has the means and conviction to support 'the project'. This first year was indeed a monsterous rebuild...lost track of the number of new players! Scoring 68 goals (2nd to MIA) indicates 'the hard part of the game' is working, but allowing 60 (3rd worse in the East) indicates stability has not been achieved. Defense: Additions Waterman, Mbokazi, and (to a degree) Saletros, plus some formation adjustments (3-4-3 and 4-2-3-1 added to the 4-3-3) all look 'helpful'. I've mentioned it multiple times, but here's one more....Davilla has to make another step up. He showed better play in preseason than in most of 2025, so it's not a big doubt, but CDM connection with the back line is a critical piece to both reducing goals against and being able to play 4-3-3. I'm expecting 4-2-3-1 until he shows he's ready...and our offensive fire power allow for it. Offense: The front 3 provided 55G+A in 2025 and the change to the attack is Guti's (12G+A) departure. It's certainly going to look different with Lod and Saletros, but their experience plus a 'rejuvenated' Bamba makes me think we will score 60+ again in 2026! Another plus, Mbokazi's physicality, plus playing a dual pivot CDM, may allow Gutman to be even more aggressive on the attack. Same on the right side, Barroso looks healthy and speedy and will have Elliott backing him up...plus we may see Lod drift in behind him, and Zinck to the middle, as he overlaps. ANNNNDDD then there is the open DP slot Probably still going to see a bunch of 4-3 games, until we can achieve 'team defense' and maintain defensive shape, but the Fire are certainly poised to be further up the table and make a run for some hardware. In general, I'm anxious for more cohesive play, volume of Goals For, and more home wins in 2026
Interesting, this analysis is skeptical about Lod(and eventually Franco) back filling Guti's contributions...they are not wrong...but it doesn't take into account the style swap. Guti would drive the ball between the lines and generate chaos and chances. Lod seems more like a move/pass/work the ball player that may be a more natural fit to work as a distributor for the front 3. Hope that is the case ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- https://www.americansocceranalysis.com/home/2026/2/15/2026-mls-previews-austin-orlando-chicago Questions About An Attack Without Brian Gutiérrez Any conversation about the Fire in 2026 has to start with the offseason departure of Brian Gutiérrez to Chivas de Guadalajara. Put simply, Gutiérrez was one of the best players in the league last season, posting the sixth highest raw G+ Above Average total in MLS in 2025. His 0.49 xA + npxG/96 was an elite total for a central midfielder but his defensive impact shouldn’t be overlooked, either. His 0.22 net G+/ per 96 minutes was the highest among MLS central midfielders who played at least 1,000 minutes. Without Gutiérrez, the Fire loses its most dynamic midfielder, and one who still probably hasn’t reached his peak. So what’s the plan to replace that production? Free agent signing Robin Lod is certainly the most proven, and likely, replacement for Gutiérrez, at least early in the season, which doesn’t inspire a tremendous amount of confidence. Lod has MLS experience and is still a capable player but Chicago’s midfield is significantly less dangerous going into this season than it was at the end of 2025. Cuypers needs someone to get him the ball in the box. The biggest question facing the Fire in possession in 2026 is if they’ll be able to consistently get the ball into dangerous spots. If the answer to that is yes, expect another big year from Cuypers.
NOW is the operative word. Takes a while to craft an offense. Situation could be reversed by mid-season.
Just to level set, Gutiman had 3 goals and 8 assists compared to Guti’s 9 goals and 3 assists. Guti looks better when compared to the “Central Midfielder” position. Sites usually let you change the position for comparison. We would need a kind of average of comparisons to wingers, strikers and midfielders to see his true impact.
According to the roster rules I found: In 2026, MLS Injured List (IL) rules require injured players to miss at least six regular-season matches, freeing up a senior roster spot for a replacement but offering no salary budget relief. Players on IL cannot compete in any official competitions, including tournaments, during this minimum period. Duration: Players on the Injured List (IL) must sit out a minimum of six MLS league games. Restrictions: During this period, the player cannot play in any official, exhibition, or tournament games, including CONCACAF Champions Cup, Leagues Cup, or U.S. Open Cup. Roster Relief: Placing a Senior Roster player on the IL opens a roster spot for a replacement player. Salary Budget Impact: The club receives no salary budget relief and remains responsible for the full budget charge of the injured player. Replacement Player: A replacement player can be added if the club has enough budget space. If the injured player occupied an international spot, the replacement may also be an international player. Season-Ending Injury: If a player is deemed out for the season, they can be placed on the Season-Ending Injury List. This provides roster relief, and if done before the secondary transfer window, it may allow for salary budget relief, notes this Reddit post. Roster Freeze: No changes to the roster, including placing players on the injured list, are allowed after the Roster Freeze Date (Oct. 9, 2026), though exceptions exist for extreme hardship. So it seems like Franco can remain on the Injury List freeing up his roster spot (in batches of 6 games until he can return) and if the injured player occupies an International spot the replacement player can also occupy that International spot. Is this some kind of loophole to have an extra International Player until Franco returns? Or am I misunderstanding things?
Franco does NOT take an international slot while he is off the roster due to injury. I think that is what you’re asking?
And Gutman is in the discussions about best LB in the league (now that Wagner left)…. I think folks outside of Chicago saw Guti with less cynicism…young man brought Fire, just not as much as we knew he could. Probably should have had 5more like his Miami golazo, but is still growing into the game. The ceiling is still well above his current form. Gutman…probably net or at ceiling and happy to have him.
have to dig up the podcast/youtube links I’ve listened to, but here’s a recent ranking put by elilessertv
Ya know, the thing is…’fullback’ and ‘wingback’ really are two different things, but it seems the ’modern’ conversation expects both. IMO Gutman often provides more offensive contribution than most other LBs…but is ‘average’ on defense because too often loosing connection/shape on defense…but has enough quality to frequently make up for it. That said, when he is in the attacking third there should be rotations from the CDM to provide support. As well as the attacking midfielders can’t hold back a pass to his overlapping runs and then loose possession…at least not with any regularity…as a lot of the time the fullback will get blamed for being out of position.
FWLIW, I'm expecting D'Avilla to take a big step up this season. I think he can be a star. Also, expecting Saletros to be very good (not Zinck-level, but an impact player) like this team, like this staff, in GGG I trust
Are you sure about that? Just because a player is listed as injured on Player Availability Report does not necessarily take him off the team roster or make his international roster spot available. Last I heard Franco was not on season-ending injury list for 2026. Not sure what other “categories” of injury the MLS might have.
IF Davilla can play as a top15 (top half of the league) level we will have the best Fire team since 2017…maybe 2008…or even better. Saletros looks to be a significant addition! Annnnd, Bamba and Barroso appear poised to have an improved year. Just gotta get the Goals Against down bellow 50, ideally near 40, and we will have a great year!
I now see they announced a Glasgow loan... El extremo Omari Glasgow ha sido cedido a préstamo al Monterey Bay FC de la USL Championship ✍️ ¡Suerte, Omari! 🇬🇾#VamosFire | #cf97 pic.twitter.com/uehMfEKAlH— Chicago Fire FC (@VamosFire) February 18, 2026 I think....Dean is back up for both Gutman and Barroso, and if 2 of them are out Mbokazi or Lod could also fill in. Option b) shift to the 5-2-3/3-4-3 and plug in MHS or Dithejane.
Very possible that Glasgow loan was planned a while back. The injury (or whatever it is) to Radojevic becoming even more curious/interesting. Is he the candidate for roster injury status?
With 3 starting CBs on the roster (and starting fullbacks that like to get forward) I expect we will see it this season. That said, if all things are equal I prefer 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1...put the 'extra player' in the actual midfield
Just read Miami acquired an international spot for first half only of 2026. Price was $125k 2026 GAM plus $125k 2027 GAM. When it is obvious the need is great, the price goes up (think Fire)