Chicago Fire is on the verge of adding a significant piece to its squad ahead of the 2024 MLS season. According to The Athletic’s Tom Bogert, Fire is finalizing a deal with U.S. international midfielder Kellyn Acosta.

Acosta is a free agent after his contract with LAFC expired at the end of the 2023 campaign. The 28-year-old player reportedly received interest from several other MLS teams as well as teams for Europe but decided to continue his career in Chicago.

Bogert reports that Fire made Acosta the focal point of their offseason efforts, intending to make him the “centerpiece” of their overhauled roster. The club previously also added highly-rated Belgian forward Hugo Cuypers as they look to return to MLS Cup playoffs for the first time since 2017.

Kellyn Acosta spent his entire career in MLS, suiting up for FC Dallas, Colorado Rapids, and LAFC. The Plano, Texas native played a total of 252 games in MLS throughout his career, scoring 18 goals and dishing 25 assists. He has a U.S. Open Cup trophy with Dallas from 2016 while also winning MLS Cup with LAFC in 2022.

Acosta is also a member of the United States men’s national team. He received his senior team debut in 2016 and went on to make 58 appearances for the national side.

The post Chicago Fire Set to Sign USMNT Midfielder Kellyn Acosta appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Chicago Fire have found their next head coach. According to multiple reports, the MLS side is set on giving the job to Columbus Crew assistant Ezra Hendrickson.

Reportedly, the two sides have an agreement in principle with only finer details and paperwork standing in between Hendrickson’s appointment.

The Chicago Fire have been searching for their next head coach after firing Raphael Wicky in September following a series of disappointing results. Frank Klopas, who served as an assistant under Wicky, took over on an interim basis and finished the season at number 12 in the Eastern Conference.

Several names have been linked with Fire’s vacancy, with the team reportedly wanting someone familiar with the league. Other candidates included USMNT legend Landon Donovan and LAFC assistant coach Ante Razov.

Ezra Hendrickson has longtime experience in Major League Soccer, having been part of the league for more than two decades. As a player, he spent more than a decade playing in the MLS for teams like the Los Angeles Galaxy and D.C. United.

After retiring from professional soccer in 2008, he turned to coaching and took on the assistant role with the Seattle Sounders FC. He spent 10 years with the franchise before embarking on stints with the Galaxy and the Crew.

The post Chicago Fire Eyeing Crew Assistant Ezra Hendrickson as Next Head Coach appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Chicago Fire announced on Friday that they have named Raphael Wicky as their new manager. Wicky, who is best known for his stint with Swiss powerhouse FC Basel, will succeed Veljko Paunovic who was fired at the end of 2019 MLS season.

Wicky is familiar with U.S. soccer, as he finished his professional career in MLS with Chivas USA in 2008. The 42-year-old also spent the previous year coaching United States U-17, helping the team qualify for FIFA U17 World Cup.

“Raphael, who is familiar with Chicago, has always wanted to coach in MLS,” said Fire’s general manager Georg Heitz in a statement. “Since he arrived in the U.S. and played here, he has become a student, learning about and studying MLS and what it takes to be successful in this League. We’re thrilled that he will be our new head coach.”

Raphael Wicky started his coaching career at the helm of FC Thun and Servette’s youth teams, before joining FC Basel in the same role in 2013. Wicky worked his way up and was named the manager of the first team in 2017.

Basel finished second in Swiss league in Wicky’s first season, which marked the end of their title-winning streak after eight trophies. The team, however, performed well in UEFA Champions League, reaching the Round of 16 for the first time in club history.

“I am honored and proud to be named the head coach of Chicago Fire FC,” said Wicky. “Chicago is a world-class sports city and this club has a bright future, both on and off the field. I can’t wait to get started.”

The post Chicago Fire Hire Raphael Wicky as Their New Manager appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Although it seemed like German midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger is close to signing a contract extension with Chicago Fire, that won’t be the case. Instead, Schweinsteiger decided to retire from soccer and put an end to an illustrious and successful career at the age of 35.

Schweinsteiger announced his decision via a letter posted on social media in which he thanked his fans, the clubs he played for, and his family for the support.

“Saying goodbye as an active player makes me feel a little nostalgic, but I am also looking forward to the exciting challenges that await me soon,” – said Schweinsteiger in the letter. “I will remain faithful to football. Many, many thanks for the time we spent together, I will always have a place for you in my heart.”

Bastian Schweinsteiger spent the majority of his career with German powerhouse Bayern Munich, with whom he played for 13 seasons and won 18 trophies including eight Bundesliga titles and one Champions League. Schweinsteiger left Bayern in 2015 to join Premier League giants Manchester United, but played only two seasons in England before coming to MLS.

During his time with Fire, Schweinsteiger played 86 games in MLS and scored eight goals while contributing with 15 assists. He earned MLS All-Star honors in 2017 and 2019.

The post Chicago Fire’s Bastian Schweinsteiger Retires From Soccer at Age 35 appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Chicago Fire is on the verge of adding a significant piece to its squad ahead of the 2024 MLS season. According to The Athletic’s Tom Bogert, Fire is finalizing a deal with U.S. international midfielder Kellyn Acosta.

Acosta is a free agent after his contract with LAFC expired at the end of the 2023 campaign. The 28-year-old player reportedly received interest from several other MLS teams as well as teams for Europe but decided to continue his career in Chicago.

Bogert reports that Fire made Acosta the focal point of their offseason efforts, intending to make him the “centerpiece” of their overhauled roster. The club previously also added highly-rated Belgian forward Hugo Cuypers as they look to return to MLS Cup playoffs for the first time since 2017.

Kellyn Acosta spent his entire career in MLS, suiting up for FC Dallas, Colorado Rapids, and LAFC. The Plano, Texas native played a total of 252 games in MLS throughout his career, scoring 18 goals and dishing 25 assists. He has a U.S. Open Cup trophy with Dallas from 2016 while also winning MLS Cup with LAFC in 2022.

Acosta is also a member of the United States men’s national team. He received his senior team debut in 2016 and went on to make 58 appearances for the national side.

The post Chicago Fire Set to Sign USMNT Midfielder Kellyn Acosta appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Chicago Fire have found their next head coach. According to multiple reports, the MLS side is set on giving the job to Columbus Crew assistant Ezra Hendrickson.

Reportedly, the two sides have an agreement in principle with only finer details and paperwork standing in between Hendrickson’s appointment.

The Chicago Fire have been searching for their next head coach after firing Raphael Wicky in September following a series of disappointing results. Frank Klopas, who served as an assistant under Wicky, took over on an interim basis and finished the season at number 12 in the Eastern Conference.

Several names have been linked with Fire’s vacancy, with the team reportedly wanting someone familiar with the league. Other candidates included USMNT legend Landon Donovan and LAFC assistant coach Ante Razov.

Ezra Hendrickson has longtime experience in Major League Soccer, having been part of the league for more than two decades. As a player, he spent more than a decade playing in the MLS for teams like the Los Angeles Galaxy and D.C. United.

After retiring from professional soccer in 2008, he turned to coaching and took on the assistant role with the Seattle Sounders FC. He spent 10 years with the franchise before embarking on stints with the Galaxy and the Crew.

The post Chicago Fire Eyeing Crew Assistant Ezra Hendrickson as Next Head Coach appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Chicago Fire announced on Friday that they have named Raphael Wicky as their new manager. Wicky, who is best known for his stint with Swiss powerhouse FC Basel, will succeed Veljko Paunovic who was fired at the end of 2019 MLS season.

Wicky is familiar with U.S. soccer, as he finished his professional career in MLS with Chivas USA in 2008. The 42-year-old also spent the previous year coaching United States U-17, helping the team qualify for FIFA U17 World Cup.

“Raphael, who is familiar with Chicago, has always wanted to coach in MLS,” said Fire’s general manager Georg Heitz in a statement. “Since he arrived in the U.S. and played here, he has become a student, learning about and studying MLS and what it takes to be successful in this League. We’re thrilled that he will be our new head coach.”

Raphael Wicky started his coaching career at the helm of FC Thun and Servette’s youth teams, before joining FC Basel in the same role in 2013. Wicky worked his way up and was named the manager of the first team in 2017.

Basel finished second in Swiss league in Wicky’s first season, which marked the end of their title-winning streak after eight trophies. The team, however, performed well in UEFA Champions League, reaching the Round of 16 for the first time in club history.

“I am honored and proud to be named the head coach of Chicago Fire FC,” said Wicky. “Chicago is a world-class sports city and this club has a bright future, both on and off the field. I can’t wait to get started.”

The post Chicago Fire Hire Raphael Wicky as Their New Manager appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Although it seemed like German midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger is close to signing a contract extension with Chicago Fire, that won’t be the case. Instead, Schweinsteiger decided to retire from soccer and put an end to an illustrious and successful career at the age of 35.

Schweinsteiger announced his decision via a letter posted on social media in which he thanked his fans, the clubs he played for, and his family for the support.

“Saying goodbye as an active player makes me feel a little nostalgic, but I am also looking forward to the exciting challenges that await me soon,” – said Schweinsteiger in the letter. “I will remain faithful to football. Many, many thanks for the time we spent together, I will always have a place for you in my heart.”

Bastian Schweinsteiger spent the majority of his career with German powerhouse Bayern Munich, with whom he played for 13 seasons and won 18 trophies including eight Bundesliga titles and one Champions League. Schweinsteiger left Bayern in 2015 to join Premier League giants Manchester United, but played only two seasons in England before coming to MLS.

During his time with Fire, Schweinsteiger played 86 games in MLS and scored eight goals while contributing with 15 assists. He earned MLS All-Star honors in 2017 and 2019.

The post Chicago Fire’s Bastian Schweinsteiger Retires From Soccer at Age 35 appeared first on SportzBonanza.