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2015 Chicago Fire 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.


2015 season
Andrew Hauptman
Frank Yallop(until September 20)Brian Bliss (interim) (from September 20)
Toyota Park(capacity: 20,000)
Conference: 10th (last)Overall: 20th (last)
Did not qualify
Semifinals
Winners
David Accam (10)
20,280vs Orlando City SC (September 19)
11,196vs New York Red Bulls (August 26)
16,003 (regular season)
CHI 3-0 MTL (5/30)
DC 4-0 CHI (10/18)
Home colors

Away colors

Third colors | Home colors | Away colors | Third colors | | Home colors | Away colors | Third colors | | | | | | | | | | | |

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.

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.

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. The ceremony took place during the halftime of the regular season home match against New England Revolution.

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.

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. The club has finished the season in last place in the league overall, also another first in the club's history.

As of October 25, 2015. Source: Chicago Fire official roster

No.NameNationalityPositionDate of birth (aged)Previous club
1Alec KannGK(1990-08-08)August 8, 1990 (aged 25)Charleston Battery
18Jon BuschGK(1976-08-18)August 18, 1976 (aged 39)San Jose Earthquakes
25Sean JohnsonGK(1989-05-31)May 31, 1989 (aged 26)Atlanta Blackhawks
2Matt PolsterD(1993-06-08)June 8, 1993 (aged 22)SIU Edwardsville Cougars
3Joevin JonesD(1991-08-03)August 3, 1991 (aged 24)HJK Helsinki
4AdaíltonCB(1983-04-16)April 16, 1983 (aged 32)Esporte Clube Bahia
5Lovel PalmerRB(1984-08-30)August 30, 1984 (aged 31)Real Salt Lake
6Eric GehrigD(1987-12-15)December 15, 1987 (aged 27)Columbus Crew SC
16Greg CochraneD(1990-11-01)November 1, 1990 (aged 24)Los Angeles Galaxy
20Jeff LarentowiczD(1983-08-05)August 5, 1983 (aged 32)Colorado Rapids
22Patrick DoodyD(1992-04-22)April 22, 1992 (aged 23)Indiana University Hoosiers
24Ty HardenD(1984-03-06)March 6, 1984 (aged 31)San Jose Earthquakes
55Daneil CyrusD(1990-12-15)December 15, 1990 (aged 24)W Connection F.C.
8Matt WatsonM(1985-01-01)January 1, 1985 (aged 30)Vancouver Whitecaps FC
17Collin FernandezM(1997-02-13)February 13, 1997 (aged 18)Chicago Fire Juniors
19Harry ShippM(1991-11-07)November 7, 1991 (aged 23)University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish
21Chris RitterM(1990-10-29)October 29, 1990 (aged 24)Northwestern University Wildcats
26Michael StephensM(1989-04-03)April 3, 1989 (aged 26)Stabæk
27Kingsley BryceM(1993-04-16)April 16, 1993 (aged 22)Saint Louis University
30Răzvan CocișM(1983-02-19)February 19, 1983 (aged 32)FC Hoverla Uzhhorod
7Jason JohnsonF(1990-10-09)October 9, 1990 (aged 25)Houston Dynamo
9Mike MageeF(1984-09-02)September 2, 1984 (aged 31)Los Angeles Galaxy
11David AccamF(1990-09-28)September 28, 1990 (aged 25)Helsingborgs IF
14Patrick NyarkoF(1986-01-15)January 15, 1986 (aged 29)Virginia Tech Hokies
29GilbertoF(1989-06-05)June 5, 1989 (aged 26)Toronto FC
77Kennedy IgboananikeF(1989-02-26)February 26, 1989 (aged 26)AIK

Per Major League Soccer and club policies terms of the deals do not get disclosed.

DatePlayerPositionPrevious clubNotesRef
October 29, 2014Lovel PalmerDChicago FireRe-signed with the club
November 18, 2014Patrick NyarkoFChicago FireRe-signed with the club
December 2, 2014Kennedy IgboananikeFAIKSigned as a Designated Player
December 3, 2014Joevin JonesDHJK HelsinkiSigned with the club
December 9, 2014Michael StephensMStabækSigned with the club
December 10, 2014Eric GehrigDColumbus Crew SC Orlando City SCAfter 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
December 19, 2014David AccamFHelsingborgs IFSigned as a Designated Player
December 22, 2014Patrick DoodyDIndiana University HoosiersSigned as a Homegrown Player
December 30, 2014AdaíltonDEsporte Clube BahiaSigned with the club
January 6, 2015Guly do PradoFSouthampton F.C.Signed with the club
January 25, 2015Shaun MaloneyMWigan AthleticSigned as a Designated Player
January 25, 2015AlexMChicago FireRe-signed with the club, after initially having his contract option declined
January 27, 2015Jon BuschGKSan Jose EarthquakesSigned with the club
February 4, 2015Matt PolsterDSIU Edwardsville CougarsSigned with the club after being selected 7th overall (first round) in 2015 MLS SuperDraft
March 24, 2015Kingsley BryceMSaint Louis UniversitySigned with the club after being selected 28th overall (second round) in 2015 MLS SuperDraft
April 13, 2015Jason JohnsonFHouston DynamoAcquired in exchange for Alex
June 26, 2015Ty HardenDSan Jose EarthquakesAcquired in exchange for Quincy Amarikwa
July 27, 2015GilbertoFToronto FCAcquired as a Designated Player after claiming him on waivers
DatePlayerPositionDestination clubNotesRef
October 25, 2014Logan PauseMNoneRetired
November 18, 2014Marco FrancoDIndy Eleven2015 contract option was declined
November 18, 2014Patrick IanniDNone2015 contract option was declined, subsequently retired on January 12, 2015
November 18, 2014Hunter JumperDNone2015 contract option was declined
November 18, 2014Steven KinneyDNone2015 contract option was declined
November 18, 2014Gonzalo SegaresDNone2015 contract option was declined, subsequently retired on February 4, 2015
November 18, 2014Bakary SoumaréDMontreal Impact2015 contract option was declined; selected by Montreal Impact in the Re-Entry Draft
November 18, 2014Sanna NyassiMSan Jose Earthquakes2015 contract option was declined; selected by San Jose Earthquakes in the Re-Entry Draft
November 18, 2014Robert EarnshawFVancouver Whitecaps FC2015 contract option was declined
November 18, 2014Matthew FondyFLouisville City FC2015 contract option was declined
November 18, 2014Florent Sinama PongolleFLausanne-Sport2015 contract option was declined
November 18, 2014Victor PinedaMIndy ElevenOut of contract
November 18, 2014Benji JoyaMSantos LagunaLoan deal has expired
November 18, 2014Grant WardMTottenham HotspurLoan deal has expired
December 18, 2014Juan Luis AnangonóFUniversidad de GuadalajaraTransferred after six-month loan with LDU Quito
January 20, 2015Kyle ReynishGKNew York Red BullsTraded in exchange for 2016 MLS SuperDraft third round pick
April 13, 2015AlexMHouston DynamoTraded in exchange for Jason Johnson
June 9, 2015Víctor PérezMReal ValladolidLoan deal not extended
June 26, 2015Quincy AmarikwaFSan Jose EarthquakesTraded in exchange for Ty Harden
August 4, 2015Guly do PradoFNoneThe club and the player have mutually agreed to part ways
August 27, 2015Shaun MaloneyMHull CityTransferred
  • Players selected in 2015 MLS SuperDraft, but ultimately not signed: midfielder Alex Shinsky (68th overall, fourth round, from University of Maryland)
  • Trialists released in the preseason: goalkeeper Mark Pais, defender Joachim de Wilde, defender Bryan Gaul (Open Tryout winner), defender Nick Miele, defender Albert Edward, midfielder Franck Songo'o, midfielder Alou Diarra, defender Danny Gabbidon and forward Shahdon Winchester.

Per Major League Soccer and club policies terms of the deals do not get disclosed.

DatePlayerPositionLoaned fromNotesRef
August 6, 2015Daneil CyrusDW Connection F.C.Acquired on loan
DatePlayerPositionLoaned toNotesRef
July 9, 2013Álvaro FernándezMGimnasia y Esgrima La PlataOut on loan
March 20, 2015Patrick DoodyDSaint Louis FCOut on loan with option to recall
March 30, 2015Alec KannGKSaint Louis FCOut on loan with option to recall
April 9, 2015Greg CochraneDSaint Louis FCOut on loan with option to recall
June 9, 2015Collin FernandezMLouisville City FCOut on loan with option to recall
PositionStaff
General ManagerNelson Rodríguez
Technical Director and Interim Head CoachBrian Bliss
Interim Assistant CoachLogan Pause
Goalkeeping CoachAron Hyde
Strength and Conditioning CoachAdrian Lamb
Head of ScoutingTrevor James
Director of Soccer & Team DevelopmentPaul Cadwell
Director of Team OperationsRon Stern
Academy DirectorLarry Sunderland
Senior Coordinator of Team OperationsAlex Boler
Head Equipment ManagerCharles Raycroft
Assistant Equipment ManagerAllan Araujo
Head Athletic TrainerFrank Pena
Assistant Athletic TrainerSteve Bagus, ATC, NASM-PES
Massage TherapistJake Bronowski, LMT
Chief Medical OfficerDr. Jeffrey Mjaanes, M.D.
Associate Medical OfficerDr. Joshua Blomgren, D.O.

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

  Tie   Loss

Kickoff times are in CST (UTC-06)

Simple Invitational

PosTeamPldWLTGFGAGDPts
1320153+27
231112204
330032203
4302124−21

Kickoff times are in CDT (UTC-05), unless posted otherwise

Kickoff times are in CDT (UTC-05)

Kickoff times are in CDT (UTC-05)

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

Column 1Column 2
This section needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (December 2015)
WeekPlayerReport
5Shaun MaloneyPOTW Archived 2015-04-10 at the Wayback Machine
WeekPlayerPositionReport
4Harry ShippMReport Archived 2015-04-11 at the Wayback Machine
5Joevin JonesDReport Archived 2015-04-10 at the Wayback Machine
8David AccamFReport Archived 2015-04-29 at the Wayback Machine
13Kennedy IgboananikeFReport Archived 2015-08-27 at the Wayback Machine
22Eric GehrigDReport Archived 2015-09-15 at the Wayback Machine
Matt PolsterM
24Sean JohnsonGKReport Archived 2015-08-19 at the Wayback Machine
26Michael StephensMReport Archived 2015-09-01 at the Wayback Machine
David AccamF
31Harry ShippMReport
GilbertoF

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.

First-year defender Eric Gehrig was named the Defensive Player of the Year.

David Accam was chosen Section 8 Chicago Supporters' Player of the Year.

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.

Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4Column 5
HomeAway
TypeShirtShortsSocksFirst appearance / Info
HomeRed / NavyRedRed
AwayWhiteWhiteWhite

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.

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.

Picks acquired:

  • 2016 MLS SuperDraft third round pick in exchange for goalkeeper Kyle Reynish

Picks traded:

  • 2015 MLS SuperDraft conditional third round pick, 2014 MLS SuperDraft 8th overall pick and Jalil Anibaba to Seattle Sounders FC in exchange for Jhon Kennedy Hurtado and Patrick Ianni

  • 2016 MLS SuperDraft conditional pick to Los Angeles Galaxy in exchange for Greg Cochrane

  • 2016 MLS SuperDraft natural selection second round pick to Orlando City SC in exchange for Eric Gehrig

  • Official website

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