MLS NEXT Pro Chicago Fire FC II

Chicago Fire Weekly Update: Fire Continues Homestand, Brady's Historic Clean Sheet, Kacper's 100th Start & Fire II Update

Published on April 2, 2023 under MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
Chicago Fire FC II News Release


Chicago Fire FC returns to the Near South Side in the second leg of their three-game homestand and hosts Minnesota United FC at 7:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, April 8 at Soldier Field. Saturday's match will mark the sixth all-time meeting between the two clubs, and the only regular season match of the 2023 regular season. The two teams will meet later this year in the inaugural Leagues Cup 2023 group stage match on Thursday, July 23 at Allianz Field.

The match will be broadcast live on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app. Fans can subscribe to MLS Season Pass. Entering the match, the Fire have an all-time record of 1-3-1 against Minnesota since their arrival to Major League Soccer in 2017. Additionally, Saturday marks the first home match against Minnesota in nearly four years, and the first between the two teams at Soldier Field.

In their only matchup of the 2022 season, Minnesota defeated the Fire 3-0 on April 23, 2022 at Allianz Field. After a tightly-contested first half, Minnesota tallied three goals late in the match to earn the three points at home.

So far this season, Minnesota United FC sits in fourth place in the Western Conference with a record of 3-0-2, 11 points. In their previous match, Minnesota traveled to St. Louis, Mo. and took on the newest expansion side St. Louis City FC. Minnesota broke St. Louis's undefeated run with a 1-0 victory on the road. Even through the first 75 minutes of the match, Minnesota was awarded a penalty in the 78th minute of the match, setting up Luis Amarilla's eventual game-winning goal. With the victory, Minnesota has an unbeaten streak of five games heading into Saturday's match against Chicago. For the Fire, Saturday marks the first time the Club will take on a Western Conference team this season.

There are a pair of connections between the two teams. Fire defender Wyatt Omsberg was originally selected by Minnesota United as the No. 15 overall pick in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft. In his two seasons with Minnesota, he recorded seven appearances and four starts before Chicago acquired him in a trade on Feb. 11, 2020. Additionally, Minnesota forward Mender García and Chicago defender Carlos Terán could face off against one another for the first time in Major League Soccer play. The two Colombians are very familiar with one another having faced off in Liga Aguila play in Colombia when Terán played for Envigado F.C. and García played for Once Caldas.

Prior to the match against Minnesota, Chicago will train at SeatGeek Stadium and the first 15 minutes of each session will be open to the media, with interviews with coaches and players occurring directly afterward. Media members interested in attending must RSVP and share any interview requests with Elizabeth Sánchez at esanchez@chicagofirefc.com at least 24 hours in advance of the training session they plan to attend. (Full schedule below).

Chicago Fire FC Schedule

(April 3-9)

Monday, April 3

Off day

Tuesday, April 4

Training at 10 a.m. CT at SeatGeek Stadium

Media Access: Members of the media will be allowed to cover the first 15 minutes of team training. Interviews with coaches and players will take place after training has concluded upon request. Media planning to cover training must RSVP with Elizabeth Sánchez (esanchez@chicagofirefc.com) no later than 24 hours in advance.

Wednesday, April 5

Training at 10 a.m. CT at SeatGeek Stadium

Virtual Media Availability featuring head coach Ezra Hendrickson (2 p.m. CT) and a to-be-announced player. Media planning to join the press conference can register HERE.

Media Access: Members of the media will be allowed to cover the first 15 minutes of team training. Interviews with coaches and players will take place after training has concluded upon request. Media planning to cover training must RSVP with Elizabeth Sánchez (esanchez@chicagofirefc.com) no later than 24 hours in advance.

Thursday, April 6

Training at 10 a.m. CT at SeatGeek Stadium

Media Access: Members of the media will be allowed to cover the first 15 minutes of team training. Interviews with coaches and players will take place after training has concluded upon request. Media planning to cover training must RSVP with Elizabeth Sánchez (esanchez@chicagofirefc.com) no later than 24 hours in advance.

Friday, April 7

Training at 10 a.m. CT at Soldier Field (Location is tentative and subject to change)

Media Access: Members of the media will be allowed to cover the first 15 minutes of team training. Interviews with coaches and players will take place after training has concluded upon request. Media planning to cover training must RSVP with Elizabeth Sánchez (esanchez@chicagofirefc.com) no later than 24 hours in advance.

Saturday, April 8

Chicago Fire FC vs. Minnesota United FC at Soldier Field at 7:30 p.m. CT

Sunday, April 9

Chicago Fire FC II vs. Columbus Crew 2 at SeatGeek Stadium at 6 p.m. CT

CHICAGO FIRE FC REMAINS UNDEFEATED AT HOME

Chicago Fire FC earned a point at home last Saturday following a 0-0 draw against D.C. United at Soldier Field. Chicago was led by Fire Homegrown Chris Brady, who recorded three saves and captured his first Major League Soccer clean sheet, making him the second-youngest goalkeeper in league history to do so.

Additionally, Saturday's match saw the 100th career regular season start for Kacper Przybyłko, and the 70th career appearance for Gastón Giménez in a Chicago Fire uniform. The match was headlined with notable performances from Fire Homegrown Brian Gutiérrez, and defender Jonathan Dean, who made his second start for the Club in Saturday's match. For Gutiérrez, it was his third consecutive start playing at the 10-position following the injury of Fire Designated Player Xherdan Shaqiri.

A late chance created in stoppage time by Gutiérrez found striker Kei Kamara, who nearly gave Chicago the edge in stoppage time for the second straight match. The header was denied by D.C. United goalkeeper Tyler Miller, who got his left hand on the ball to deny Chicago three points at home.

100 STARTS FOR KACPER Przybyłko

Kacper Przybyłko reached a career milestone in the 0-0 draw against D.C. United on Saturday, April 1. With his start, Przybyłko has recorded 100 career Major League Soccer regular season starts. Since joining the Fire via trade in 2022, Przybyłko has made 23 of his 100 starts in a Chicago Fire uniform.

In 30 total appearances for Chicago, Przybyłko has recorded six goals and two assists. Prior to his time in Chicago, Przybyłko was a member of the Philadelphia Union where he recorded 35 goals in 83 appearances. From 2018-2021, Przybyłko led Philadelphia to the Eastern Conference Final in 2021, and captured the Union Golden Boot in the 2021 season.

CHRIS BRADY CLAIMS HIS FIRST CAREER MLS CLEAN SHEET

In only his fifth career start, Chris Brady earned his first career clean sheet after making three saves in the 0-0 draw against D.C. United Saturday night at Soldier Field.

At just 19 years, 29 days, Brady becomes the second youngest goalkeeper in Major League Soccer history to record a clean sheet, behind former Fire Homegrown Gaga Slonina, who set the MLS record at 17 years, 137 days in the 0-0 draw against New York City FC on Aug. 1, 2021 at Soldier Field.

CHICAGO FIRE FC II'S HOT START TO 2023!

Chicago Fire FC II has gotten off to a stellar start to their 2023 season. In their season opener, Chicago recorded their first win of the season on the road against Inter Miami CF II on March 26 at DRV PNK Stadium. The 3-1 victory saw Fire Homegrown Alex Monis tally his first of the season, as well as a two-assist performance from midfielder Luka Prpa.

Most recently, Chicago Fire FC II hosted Toronto FC II in their 2023 MLS NEXT Pro home opener. The match saw four players make their NEXT Pro debut, including defenders Henrique Gallina, Eric Leonard and midfielder Jake Fuderer. Also making his long-awaited Chicago Fire FC II debut was Harold Osorio, who was acquired by Fire II on August 10, 2022.

After a first-half red card issued to Gallina, the 10-man Chicago Fire FC II saw Leonard tally his first of the season to give Chicago the lead. Minutes later, Charlie Ostrem scored his first professional goal to give Chicago a 2-0 lead with minutes to play in the second half. The Fire would hold on and pick up the three points and record their first home victory of the season.

The Fire's look to make it three-in-a-row at 6 p.m. CT on Sunday, April 9 when they host reigning MLS NEXT Pro champion Columbus Crew 2 at SeatGeek Stadium. Admission and parking for all Chicago Fire FC II matches are free. Additionally, the match will be broadcast live for free on MLSNEXTPro.com.

A NEW INTERCONTINENTAL SHOW WITH TYLER TERENS!

Another episode of the Intercontinental Show returns presented by Chicago's own Revolution Brewing, maker of Chicago Fire FC craft beer Hazy Pitch.

In this episode, Fire contributor Tyler Terens talks about the depth of the Chicago Fire roster, the thrilling road victory over Inter Miami CF, and a review of the U.S. Men's National Team following the international break!

Check out the Chicago Fire FC II Statistics

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