The Fire's preseason formally began on October 20, 2024.
The Fire's preseason formally began on October 20, 2024.
==== Front Office Movement ====
==== Front Office Movement ====
The first front office move of the offseason occurred on October 8, 2024. On that day, former [[United States men's national soccer team|USMNT]] and [[Columbus Crew]] head coach was announced as the new Fire head coach and director of football. He replaces controversial outgoing general manager Georg Heitz and club legend [[Frank Klopas]] as head coach. Berhalter will be in charge of the Fire, the Fire's [[Chicago Fire FC II|second team]], and the club's academy. Frank Klopas was moved into the new Vice President of Football role.
The first front office move of the offseason occurred on October 8, 2024. On that day, former [[United States men's national soccer team|USMNT]] and [[Columbus Crew]] head coach was announced as the new Fire head coach and director of football. He replaces controversial outgoing general manager Georg Heitz and club legend [[Frank Klopas]] as head coach. Berhalter will be in charge of the Fire, the Fire's [[Chicago Fire FC II|second team]], and the club's academy. Frank Klopas was moved into the new Vice President of Football role. On November 8, the Fire announced that assistant coaches [[Paulo Nagamura]] and [[Carlos García (footballer, born 1984)|Carlos García]] were let go by the club, while former Fire player [[Michael Stephens (soccer)|Michael Stephens]] was announced as the Fire's new head of player recruitment.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagofirefc.com/news/chicago-fire-fc-names-michael-stephens-head-of-recruitment|title= Chicago Fire FC Names Michael Stephens Head of Recruitment |date=2024-11-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagofirefc.com/news/chicago-fire-fc-announces-first-team-coaching-staff-moves|title= Chicago Fire FC Announces First Team Coaching Staff Moves |date=2024-11-08}}</ref>
The 2025 Chicago Fire FC season is the club's 28th season in Major League Soccer. This is the club's first season under owner Joe Mansuetto without sporting director Georg Heitz, who stepped down following the previous season's conclusion.[1] It was announced that he, alongside head coach Frank Klopas, would be replaced by former USMNT and Columbus Crew head coach Gregg Berhalter on October 8th, 2024, with Berhalter formally taking over on October 20. [2]
Season Review
Preseason
The Fire's preseason formally began on October 20, 2024.
Front Office Movement
The first front office move of the offseason occurred on October 8, 2024. On that day, former USMNT and Columbus Crew head coach was announced as the new Fire head coach and director of football. He replaces controversial outgoing general manager Georg Heitz and club legend Frank Klopas as head coach. Berhalter will be in charge of the Fire, the Fire's second team, and the club's academy. Frank Klopas was moved into the new Vice President of Football role. On November 8, the Fire announced that assistant coaches Paulo Nagamura and Carlos García were let go by the club, while former Fire player Michael Stephens was announced as the Fire's new head of player recruitment.[3][4]
Note: italics indicates a player who left during the season while * indicates a Fire II player that joined on a short-term loan or for the League's Cup