Burning Brighter: Recapping the Chicago Fire’s 2025 season | CHGO Fire Podcast
From Wooden Spoon ‘winners’ to returning to the playoffs for the first time in eight seasons, 2025 was a year of substantial improvement for the Chicago Fire. In Gregg Berhalter’s first season as sporting director and head coach, the team made huge strides as returning players found new life, new additions shined, and young players were given the opportunity to prove their worth.
Off the field, the new Endeavor Health Performance Center opened and the team secured all approvals needed to begin construction on a new downtown stadium.
While the season ended in a tough home playoff loss, there were certainly more positives than negatives.
Now the Fire head into the offseason, which is already underway with the permanent signing of Andre Franco and acquisition of Swedish international midfielder Anton Saletros. What do those moves mean for the Fire, and where else do they need to add to the squad to continue this year’s upward trajectory?
Alex is joined by Joe Chatz and Tim Hotze to cover all that and more, as well as handout some superlatives, on this season finale of CHGO Fire Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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Gregg Berhalter, Chicago Fire’s season ends with embarrassing loss to Philadelphia Union | CHGO Fire Podcast
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Saturday night’s 3-0 loss at home to the Philadelphia Union was not at all how the Chicago Fire would have liked for their season to end. After battling back to a draw in Game 2 in Philadelphia, the Fire were flattened in the opening minutes at SeatGeek Stadium as stand-in goalkeeper Jeff Gal made two crucial errors that led to Union goals. Brian Gutierrez missed a penalty, the game had to be halted due to homophobic chanting, and it was generally a miserable evening in Bridgeview. We recap the bad and the worse of it, then try to find some silver linings.
Also, the offseason just started and the Fire might have already made their first signing of the winter?!
Alex is joined by Chicago Fire Radio’s Max Anderson on this final game of the season episode of CHGO Fire
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A MISSED Opportunity for Jack Elliott & the Chicago Fire vs. Philadelphia | CHGO Fire Podcast
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It’s the hope that kills you. After going down 2-0 in Chester, PA on Sunday night in a game they played without star man Philip Zinckernagel the Chicago Fire fought back to equalize and force penalties in Game 1 of their Round 1 series with the Philadelphia Union. After he scored against his old club in stoppage time to send the game to a shootout, Jack Elliott was one of two Fire players to miss their spot kicks and Philly escaped with the win. Next Saturday’s Game 2 at SeatGeek Stadium is now a must win for the Fire to force a decisive Game 3. Alex is joined by John Thornton, host of Men In Red 97 Media’s ‘The Bonfire’ to break down the emotional rollercoaster of last night and set the scene for Saturday’s suburban showdown.
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Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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Chicago Fire BLAZE Past Orlando, Hugo Cuypers Leads Charge vs Philadelphia | CHGO Fire Podcast
They did it! The Chicago Fire won their first postseason game since 2009, defeating Orlando City 3-1 on Wednesday night at SeatGeek Stadium thanks to goals from homegrown Brian Gutierrez and star striker Hugo Cuypers. Alex is joined by Alex Calabrese of MLSsoccer.com and Men In Red 97 to recap a fun night in the suburbs and a game the Fire completely dominated. But there’s not much time to relax, as the Fire now prepare for a best-of-three series with Supporters Shield winners the Philadelphia Union beginning on Sunday. Do the Fire have any chance to upset the top seed? How might they do it? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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WILD CARD PREVIEW: Can the Fire ADVANCE past Orlando? | CHGO Fire Podcast (w/ Joe Chatz + Tim Hotze)
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The regular season is over and the MLS Cup Playoffs are set! Decision Day wasn’t without its drama as the Fire left it late to secure a draw and hosting rights to Wednesday night’s Eastern Conference Wild Card Game. But was it a missed opportunity, or just emblematic of the Fire’s biggest strengths and weaknesses? Then we look ahead to tomorrow’s matchup with Orlando City, who come in without a win in a month and having struggled against the Men in Red this season. Alex is joined by two good friends of the show for this first ever postseason edition of CHGO Fire: Joe Chatz from On Tap SportsNet and Tim Hotze of Men in Red 97 Media.
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Presented by Coors Light. Official Domestic Beer Partner of Chicago Fire FC. Chicago, Choose Chill. Go to https://coorslight.com/CHGOSoccer to get Coors Light delivered straight to your door. Celebrate Responsibly. Coors Brewing Company, Golden, Colorado.
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code CHGO for $20 off your first purchase.
Check out FOCO for merch and collectibles here https://foco.vegb.net/CHGO and use promo code “CHGO10” for 10% off your order on all non Pre Order items.
When you shop through links in the description, we may earn affiliate commissions.
Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.
#ChicagoFire #cf97 #VamosFire #ReturnToRed Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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The CHGO Fire Podcast is your weekly destination for all things Chicago Fire FC and Major League Soccer. Hosted by Alex Campbell and featuring a rotating panel of soccer insiders, the show delivers expert analysis, match recaps, player updates, transfer news, and in-depth conversations about the Fire and MLS. Whether you're at Soldier Field or following from afar, CHGO Fire connects the passionate Chicago soccer community with smart, fun, and accessible coverage.