2015 Chicago Fire season
Chicago Fire 2015 soccer season
The 2015 Chicago Fire season was the club's 17th year of existence, as well as their 18th season in Major League Soccer and their 18th consecutive year in the top-flight of American soccer.
Chicago Fire began the regular season on March 6, 2015 with an away match against the defending champions LA Galaxy . They finished the regular season on October 25, 2015, with a home match against the New York Red Bulls . The club has missed the playoffs for the fifth time in the past six years.
For the first time in the franchise history Chicago Fire opened the season with three consecutive losses.[ 1]
On September 20, 2015, entrenched in last place both in the conference and overall, with the playoff hopes out of sight, the club parted ways with head coach and director of soccer Frank Yallop and assistant coaches Marc Bircham and Clint Mathis . In two seasons with the Fire Yallop posted a 13-26-24 record. Fire named the technical director Brian Bliss as interim coach, while the vice president and former player Logan Pause took over as interim assistant coach. The club also hired Nelson Rodriguez, a former MLS executive, as new general manager.[ 2] [ 3]
On October 3, 2015, Ante Razov , the club's all-time leading scorer, became the eighth individual to be inducted into the club's Ring of Fire Hall of Fame.[ 4] The ceremony took place during the halftime of the regular season home match against New England Revolution.[ 5]
On October 14, 2015 Chicago Fire announced the end of a four-year run with the title sponsor Quaker and introduced Valspar as the new jersey sponsor starting with 2016 season. The three-year deal is worth between $2.5 million and $3 million per year.[ 6]
For the first time in the club's history Fire finished the season with zero road wins (0-12-5). The club has finished the season with an overall record of 8 wins, 20 losses and 6 ties. Twenty losses in a season became the highest in the club's history.[ 7] The club has finished the season in last place in the league overall, also another first in the club's history.
Squad at the end of the season
As of October 25, 2015. Source: Chicago Fire official roster
No.
Name
Nationality
Position
Date of birth (aged)
Previous club
Goalkeepers
1
Alec Kann
GK
(1990-08-08 ) August 8, 1990 (aged 25)
Charleston Battery
18
Jon Busch
GK
(1976-08-18 ) August 18, 1976 (aged 39)
San Jose Earthquakes
25
Sean Johnson
GK
(1989-05-31 ) May 31, 1989 (aged 26)
Atlanta Blackhawks
Defenders
2
Matt Polster
D
(1993-06-08 ) June 8, 1993 (aged 22)
SIU Edwardsville Cougars
3
Joevin Jones
D
(1991-08-03 ) August 3, 1991 (aged 24)
HJK Helsinki
4
Adaílton
CB
(1983-04-16 ) April 16, 1983 (aged 32)
Esporte Clube Bahia
5
Lovel Palmer
RB
(1984-08-30 ) August 30, 1984 (aged 31)
Real Salt Lake
6
Eric Gehrig
D
(1987-12-15 ) December 15, 1987 (aged 27)
Columbus Crew SC
16
Greg Cochrane
D
(1990-11-01 ) November 1, 1990 (aged 24)
Los Angeles Galaxy
20
Jeff Larentowicz
D
(1983-08-05 ) August 5, 1983 (aged 32)
Colorado Rapids
22
Patrick Doody
D
(1992-04-22 ) April 22, 1992 (aged 23)
Indiana University Hoosiers
24
Ty Harden
D
(1984-03-06 ) March 6, 1984 (aged 31)
San Jose Earthquakes
55
Daneil Cyrus
D
(1990-12-15 ) December 15, 1990 (aged 24)
W Connection F.C.
Midfielders
8
Matt Watson
M
(1985-01-01 ) January 1, 1985 (aged 30)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
17
Collin Fernandez
M
(1997-02-13 ) February 13, 1997 (aged 18)
Chicago Fire Juniors
19
Harry Shipp
M
(1991-11-07 ) November 7, 1991 (aged 23)
University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish
21
Chris Ritter
M
(1990-10-29 ) October 29, 1990 (aged 24)
Northwestern University Wildcats
26
Michael Stephens
M
(1989-04-03 ) April 3, 1989 (aged 26)
Stabæk
27
Kingsley Bryce
M
(1993-04-16 ) April 16, 1993 (aged 22)
Saint Louis University
30
Răzvan Cociș
M
(1983-02-19 ) February 19, 1983 (aged 32)
FC Hoverla Uzhhorod
Forwards
7
Jason Johnson
F
(1990-10-09 ) October 9, 1990 (aged 25)
Houston Dynamo
9
Mike Magee
F
(1984-09-02 ) September 2, 1984 (aged 31)
Los Angeles Galaxy
11
David Accam
F
(1990-09-28 ) September 28, 1990 (aged 25)
Helsingborgs IF
14
Patrick Nyarko
F
(1986-01-15 ) January 15, 1986 (aged 29)
Virginia Tech Hokies
29
Gilberto
F
(1989-06-05 ) June 5, 1989 (aged 26)
Toronto FC
77
Kennedy Igboananike
F
(1989-02-26 ) February 26, 1989 (aged 26)
AIK
Player movement
In
Per Major League Soccer and club policies terms of the deals do not get disclosed.
Date
Player
Position
Previous club
Notes
Ref
October 29, 2014
Lovel Palmer
D
Chicago Fire
Re-signed with the club
[ 8]
November 18, 2014
Patrick Nyarko
F
Chicago Fire
Re-signed with the club
[ 9]
December 2, 2014
Kennedy Igboananike
F
AIK
Signed as a Designated Player
[ 10] [ 11]
December 3, 2014
Joevin Jones
D
HJK Helsinki
Signed with the club
[ 12]
December 9, 2014
Michael Stephens
M
Stabæk
Signed with the club
[ 13]
December 10, 2014
Eric Gehrig
D
Columbus Crew SC Orlando City SC
After being selected by Orlando City SC from Columbus Crew SC as the tenth pick in the 2014 MLS Expansion Draft , Chicago Fire acquired his Right of First Refusal in exchange for the natural selection in the second round of the 2016 MLS SuperDraft; he was signed on December 16
[ 14] [ 15]
December 19, 2014
David Accam
F
Helsingborgs IF
Signed as a Designated Player
[ 16] [ 17]
December 22, 2014
Patrick Doody
D
Indiana University Hoosiers
Signed as a Homegrown Player
[ 18]
December 30, 2014
Adaílton
D
Esporte Clube Bahia
Signed with the club
[ 19]
January 6, 2015
Guly do Prado
F
Southampton F.C.
Signed with the club
[ 20]
January 25, 2015
Shaun Maloney
M
Wigan Athletic
Signed as a Designated Player
[ 21]
January 25, 2015
Alex
M
Chicago Fire
Re-signed with the club, after initially having his contract option declined
[ 9] [ 21]
January 27, 2015
Jon Busch
GK
San Jose Earthquakes
Signed with the club
[ 22]
February 4, 2015
Matt Polster
D
SIU Edwardsville Cougars
Signed with the club after being selected 7th overall (first round) in 2015 MLS SuperDraft
[ 23] [ 24]
March 24, 2015
Kingsley Bryce
M
Saint Louis University
Signed with the club after being selected 28th overall (second round) in 2015 MLS SuperDraft
[ 23] [ 25]
April 13, 2015
Jason Johnson
F
Houston Dynamo
Acquired in exchange for Alex
[ 26]
June 26, 2015
Ty Harden
D
San Jose Earthquakes
Acquired in exchange for Quincy Amarikwa
[ 27]
July 27, 2015
Gilberto
F
Toronto FC
Acquired as a Designated Player after claiming him on waivers
[ 28]
Out
Date
Player
Position
Destination club
Notes
Ref
October 25, 2014
Logan Pause
M
None
Retired
[ 29]
November 18, 2014
Marco Franco
D
Indy Eleven
2015 contract option was declined
[ 9]
November 18, 2014
Patrick Ianni
D
None
2015 contract option was declined, subsequently retired on January 12, 2015
[ 9] [ 30]
November 18, 2014
Hunter Jumper
D
None
2015 contract option was declined
[ 9]
November 18, 2014
Steven Kinney
D
None
2015 contract option was declined
[ 9]
November 18, 2014
Gonzalo Segares
D
None
2015 contract option was declined, subsequently retired on February 4, 2015
[ 9] [ 31]
November 18, 2014
Bakary Soumaré
D
Montreal Impact
2015 contract option was declined; selected by Montreal Impact in the Re-Entry Draft
[ 9] [ 32]
November 18, 2014
Sanna Nyassi
M
San Jose Earthquakes
2015 contract option was declined; selected by San Jose Earthquakes in the Re-Entry Draft
[ 9] [ 32]
November 18, 2014
Robert Earnshaw
F
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
2015 contract option was declined
[ 9]
November 18, 2014
Matthew Fondy
F
Louisville City FC
2015 contract option was declined
[ 9]
November 18, 2014
Florent Sinama Pongolle
F
Lausanne-Sport
2015 contract option was declined
[ 9]
November 18, 2014
Victor Pineda
M
Indy Eleven
Out of contract
[ 9]
November 18, 2014
Benji Joya
M
Santos Laguna
Loan deal has expired
[ 9]
November 18, 2014
Grant Ward
M
Tottenham Hotspur
Loan deal has expired
[ 9]
December 18, 2014
Juan Luis Anangonó
F
Universidad de Guadalajara
Transferred after six-month loan with LDU Quito
[ 33] [ 34] [ 35]
January 20, 2015
Kyle Reynish
GK
New York Red Bulls
Traded in exchange for 2016 MLS SuperDraft third round pick
[ 36]
April 13, 2015
Alex
M
Houston Dynamo
Traded in exchange for Jason Johnson
[ 26]
June 9, 2015
Víctor Pérez
M
Real Valladolid
Loan deal not extended
[ 37] [ 38]
June 26, 2015
Quincy Amarikwa
F
San Jose Earthquakes
Traded in exchange for Ty Harden
[ 27]
August 4, 2015
Guly do Prado
F
None
The club and the player have mutually agreed to part ways
[ 39]
August 27, 2015
Shaun Maloney
M
Hull City
Transferred
[ 40]
Players selected in 2015 MLS SuperDraft , but ultimately not signed: midfielder Alex Shinsky (68th overall, fourth round, from University of Maryland )[ 41] [ 42]
Trialists released in the preseason: goalkeeper Mark Pais ,[ 43] defender Joachim de Wilde ,[ 43] defender Bryan Gaul (Open Tryout winner),[ 43] [ 44] defender Nick Miele ,[ 45] defender Albert Edward ,[ 44] midfielder Franck Songo'o ,[ 44] midfielder Alou Diarra ,[ 46] defender Danny Gabbidon [ 46] and forward Shahdon Winchester .[ 47]
Loans
Per Major League Soccer and club policies terms of the deals do not get disclosed.
In
Out
Technical staff at the end of the season
Position
Staff
General Manager
Nelson Rodríguez
Technical Director and Interim Head Coach
Brian Bliss
Interim Assistant Coach
Logan Pause
Goalkeeping Coach
Aron Hyde
Strength and Conditioning Coach
Adrian Lamb
Head of Scouting
Trevor James
Director of Soccer & Team Development
Paul Cadwell
Director of Team Operations
Ron Stern
Academy Director
Larry Sunderland
Senior Coordinator of Team Operations
Alex Boler
Head Equipment Manager
Charles Raycroft
Assistant Equipment Manager
Allan Araujo
Head Athletic Trainer
Frank Pena
Assistant Athletic Trainer
Steve Bagus, ATC, NASM-PES
Massage Therapist
Jake Bronowski, LMT
Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Jeffrey Mjaanes, M.D.
Associate Medical Officer
Dr. Joshua Blomgren, D.O.
Standings
Eastern Conference table
Overall table
Source:
MLS Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored
(C) MLS Cup Champion;
(S) Supporters' Shield
Results summary
Overall
Home
Away
Pld
Pts
W
L
T
GF
GA
GD
W
L
T
GF
GA
GD
W
L
T
GF
GA
GD
34
30
8
20
6
43
58
−15
8
8
1
23
19
+4
0
12
5
20
39
−19
Source: MLSsoccer.com standings
Pld = Matches played; Pts = Points; W = Matches won; T = Matches tied; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GD = Goal difference
Results
Match results
Win
Tie
Loss
Preseason
Kickoff times are in CST (UTC-06 )
Simple Invitational
Major League Soccer
Kickoff times are in CDT (UTC-05 ), unless posted otherwise
U.S. Open Cup
Kickoff times are in CDT (UTC-05 )
Friendlies
Kickoff times are in CDT (UTC-05 )
Leading scorers
Italics indicate player who departed the club during the season.
Updated to match played on October 25, 2015. Source: MLSsoccer.com statistics - 2015 Chicago Fire
Appearances and goals
This section needs to be updated . Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (December 2015 )
Recognition
MLS Player of the Week
MLS Team of the Week
Team annual awards
Midfielder David Accam was named the Most Valuable Player, as well as was awarded the Golden Boot. In 23 matches this season Accam scored team-leading ten goals and added two assists.[ 54]
First-year defender Eric Gehrig was named the Defensive Player of the Year.[ 54]
David Accam was chosen Section 8 Chicago Supporters' Player of the Year.[ 55]
Lovel Palmer 's left-footed strike from over 30 yards in the U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 win over the Charlotte Independence was named the club's Goal of the Year.[ 56]
Kits
Type
Shirt
Shorts
Socks
First appearance / Info
Home[ 57] [ 58]
Red / Navy
Red
Red
Away[ 59] [ 60]
White
White
White
Primary kit
According to the league's bi-annual rotation of kits the primary kit carried over from the previous season. It was originally unveiled on March 4, 2014. The jersey design was inspired by the City of Chicago fire trucks which feature a dark top, a band and red throughout the bottom half. The light blue represents the primary color of the Chicago flag .[ 57] [ 58]
Secondary kit
On March 2, 2015 Chicago Fire unveiled the club's new secondary kit. The design and details were inspired by the City of Chicago flag .[ 59] [ 60]
Draft pick trades
Picks acquired:
Picks traded:
References
^ "First Things Worst: Fire fall 2-1 to Earthquakes in first game at Avaya" . hottimeinoldtown.com. March 22, 2015.
^ "Chicago Fire part ways with head coach Frank Yallop, announce Nelson Rodriguez as new club GM" . mlssoccer.com. September 20, 2015. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved September 30, 2015 .
^ "Chicago Fire dismiss coach Frank Yallop, hire Nelson Rodriguez as GM" . espnfc.us. September 20, 2015.
^ "Ring of Fire" . chicago-fire.com.
^ "Chicago Fire Host New England Revolution on Special Evening at Toyota Park" . chicago-fire.com.
^ "Chicago Fire sign Valspar as new jersey sponsor" . chicagobusiness.com. October 14, 2015.
^ "Bliss: Fire Should Hold Heads High Despite Season-Ending Loss to Red Bulls" . chicago-fire.com. October 25, 2015.
^ "NEWS: Chicago Fire Re-sign Lovel Palmer" . chicago-fire.com. October 29, 2014.
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Chicago Fire re-sign Patrick Nyarko and announce option decisions for 17 other players" . mlssoccer.com. November 18, 2014. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved November 19, 2014 .
^ "NEWS: Chicago Fire Sign Nigerian Forward Kennedy Igboananike" . chicago-fire.com. December 2, 2014.
^ "Chicago Fire add 25-year-old Nigerian-born striker Kennedy Igboananike as Designated Player" . mlssoccer.com. December 2, 2014. Archived from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved December 21, 2014 .
^ "Chicago Fire Sign Trinidad & Tobago Defender Joevin Jones" . chicago-fire.com. December 3, 2014.
^ "Chicago Fire Sign Midfielder Michael Stephens" . chicago-fire.com. December 9, 2014.
^ a b "Chicago Fire Acquire Right of First Refusal for Defender Eric Gehrig from Orlando City SC" . chicago-fire.com. December 10, 2014.
^ "Chicago Fire Sign Defender Eric Gehrig" . chicago-fire.com. December 16, 2014.
^ "Chicago Fire Sign Ghanaian Forward David Accam" . chicago-fire.com. December 19, 2014.
^ "Chicago Fire continue to build 2015 attack with signing of new Designated Player David Accam" . mlssoccer.com. December 19, 2014. Archived from the original on December 26, 2014. Retrieved December 21, 2014 .
^ "Chicago Fire sign defender Patrick Doody as Homegrown Player" . chicago-fire.com. December 22, 2014.
^ "Chicago Fire Sign Brazilian Center Back Adaílton" . chicago-fire.com. December 30, 2014.
^ "Chicago Fire Sign Brazilian Forward Guly do Prado" . chicago-fire.com. January 6, 2015.
^ a b "Chicago Fire Sign Shaun Maloney as a Designated Player" . chicago-fire.com. January 25, 2015.
^ "Fire Announce Return of Goalkeeper Jon Busch" . chicago-fire.com. January 27, 2015.
^ a b "Chicago Fire select Matt Polster, Kingsley Bryce in 2015 MLS SuperDraft" . chicago-fire.com. January 15, 2015.
^ "Chicago Fire Sign Defender Matt Polster" . chicago-fire.com. February 4, 2015.
^ "Chicago Fire Sign Kingsley Bryce" . chicago-fire.com. March 24, 2015.
^ a b "Chicago Fire Acquire Forward Jason Johnson" . chicago-fire.com. April 13, 2015.
^ a b "Chicago Fire trade Quincy Amarikwa to San Jose Earthquakes in exchange for Ty Harden" . mlssoccer.com. June 26, 2015. Archived from the original on June 27, 2015. Retrieved June 26, 2015 .
^ "Chicago Fire Acquire Brazilian Forward Gilberto as Designated Player" . chicago-fire.com. July 27, 2015.
^ "Behind the Scenes of Logan Pause's final match for the Chicago Fire, #ThanksLogan" . chicago-fire.com. October 28, 2014.
^ "MLS veteran, former Goal of the Year winner Patrick Ianni retires after nine seasons" . mlssoccer.com. January 12, 2015. Archived from the original on January 14, 2015. Retrieved January 13, 2015 .
^ "Longtime Chicago Fire defender Gonzalo Segares retires, joins club's academy staff" . mlssoccer.com. February 4, 2015.
^ a b "San Jose Earthquakes, Houston Dynamo each grab two players in Stage 2 of Re-Entry Draft" . mlssoccer.com. December 18, 2014.
^ "Chicago Fire Loan Juan Luis Anangono to LDU Quito" . chicago-fire.com. July 3, 2014.
^ "Juan Luis Anangono Transferred to Universidad de Guadalajara" . chicago-fire.com. December 18, 2014.
^ "Juan Luis Anangonó y Jonathan Gonzales nuevos jugadores de Leones Negros" . leonesnegrosudg.mx. December 12, 2014. Archived from the original on December 21, 2014. Retrieved December 21, 2014 .
^ "Chicago Fire Acquire 2016 MLS SuperDraft Pick from New York Red Bulls" . chicago-fire.com. January 20, 2015.
^ "Chicago Fire Acquire Víctor Pérez" . chicago-fire.com. March 27, 2015.
^ "Adiós, Víctor: Fire sever ties with Spanish midfielder Víctor Pérez" . June 5, 2015.
^ "Chicago Fire and Guly do Prado Mutually Agree to Part Ways" . chicago-fire.com. August 4, 2015.
^ "Chicago Fire Transfer Midfielder Shaun Maloney to Hull City A.F.C." chicago-fire.com. August 27, 2015.
^ "2015 MLS SuperDraft, Round 4" . mlssoccer.com. Archived from the original on January 21, 2015. Retrieved January 20, 2015 .
^ "United Signs Vickers, Shinsky" . March 24, 2015. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015.
^ a b c "Chicago Fire expect anticipated addition of goalkeeper Jon Busch to help aid Sean Johnson's development" . mlssoccer.com. January 26, 2015. Archived from the original on January 28, 2015. Retrieved January 27, 2015 . "...while trialists Mark Pais (goalkeeper), Belgian defender Joachim de Wilde and former LA Galaxy defender Bryan Gaul began their quest for a permanent role with the club."
^ a b c "Chicago Fire Set Up Camp in Norwich" . chicago-fire.com. February 3, 2015.
^ "Miele Invited to Preseason Camp With Chicago Fire of MLS" . golobos.com. January 30, 2015. Archived from the original on February 3, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2015 .
^ a b "Chicago Fire Defeat QPR, 1-0, to Close U.K. Travels" . chicago-fire.com. February 12, 2015.
^ "Fire End Unbeaten Preseason with 1-1 Draw Against Vancouver Whitecaps FC" . chicago-fire.com. February 28, 2015. Trialist Shahdon Winchester provides 90th-minute equalizer
^ "Chicago Fire Acquire Defender Daneil Cyrus" . chicago-fire.com. August 6, 2015.
^ "Chicago Fire Loan Alvaro Fernandez to Club Nacional de Football" . chicago-fire.com. July 9, 2013.
^ "Chicago Fire Soccer Club Loans Patrick Doody to Saint Louis FC" . chicago-fire.com. March 20, 2015.
^ "Chicago Fire Soccer Club Loans Alec Kann to Saint Louis FC" . chicago-fire.com. March 30, 2015.
^ "Schedule Changes, CCL Matches Alter Narrative When Fire Visit Montreal" . chicago-fire.com. April 9, 2015. "...After training, Yallop informed media that defender Greg Cochrane had joined up with USL affiliate Saint Louis FC..."
^ "Chicago Fire Loans Collin Fernandez to Louisville City FC" . chicago-fire.com. June 9, 2015.
^ a b "Chicago Fire Announce 2015 Team Award Winners" . chicago-fire.com. October 28, 2015.
^ "David Accam is the 2015 Supporters' Player of the Year as chosen by #cf97 fans" . November 1, 2015.
^ "2015 ALDI CHICAGO FIRE GOAL OF THE YEAR" . chicago-fire.com. November 9, 2015.
^ a b "RELEASE: Chicago Fire Soccer Club Unveils 2014 Primary Kit" . chicago-fire.com. March 4, 2014.
^ a b "PHOTOS: Players Model Chicago Fire Primary Kit" . chicago-fire.com. March 4, 2014.
^ a b "Jersey Week 2015: Chicago Fire honor club's home city with unveiling of new secondary jersey" . mlssoccer.com. March 2, 2015. Archived from the original on March 13, 2015. Retrieved March 18, 2015 .
^ a b "Chicago Fire Unveil Chicago-Inspired Secondary Kit" . chicago-fire.com. March 2, 2015.
^ "New York Red Bulls acquire 'keeper Kyle Reynish from Chicago Fire in exchange for 2016 SuperDraft pick" . mlssoccer.com. January 20, 2015. Archived from the original on January 21, 2015. Retrieved January 20, 2015 .
^ "TRADE: Chicago Fire Soccer Club Acquires Jhon Kennedy Hurtado and Patrick Ianni" . chicago-fire.com. January 15, 2014.
^ "Chicago Fire Soccer Club Acquires Defender Greg Cochrane" . chicago-fire.com. March 3, 2014.
External links
Club Stadiums Affiliated clubs Culture Key personnel
Major honors (6)
MLS Cup (1) Supporters' Shield (1) U.S. Open Cup (4)
Major League Soccer
Seasons (24)
International
Club competitions
CONCACAF Champions League
National teams