Analysis

5 Things We Learned: Chicago Fire vs. Toronto FC

Alex Calabrese

16 Mar 2025 — 5 min read

MLS: Chicago Fire FC at Toronto FC

Don’t look now, but the Chicago Fire are winning games. Head Coach Gregg Berhalter has transformed everything in the organization since taking over during the offseason, and after earning the first win of the season last week against FC Dallas, the Men in Red made it two on the trot against Toronto FC this weekend. Despite falling behind early, the Fire rallied to win 2-1 in front of a small but hostile crowd in Southern Ontario.

Here are five things we learned from the all-important road win.

Crisis? What crisis?

The biggest storyline of this season so far has been that of the “midfield crisis” that has rapidly emerged since the end of preseason. An already thin midfield position has been stretched to its absolute limits in recent weeks, with Rominigue Kouamé and Kellyn Acosta suffering injuries to leave the team with just two fully fit central midfielders in Brian Gutiérrez and the inexperienced Sergio Oregel Jr.

Four games in, and it’s evident that the crisis has been largely erased. Mauricio Pineda, who has had to battle his way to full fitness this season, went the full 90 minutes today, replacing Acosta as the most defensive of the trio. Oregel was arguably the day’s man of the match, controlling the middle of the field and creating several big chances. The Fire also signed 19-year-old Sam Williams to a “homegrown” deal straight out of the second team; he’s made the jump from MLS Next Pro to MLS quicker than perhaps any Fire player not named Chris Brady and already seems like a reliable backup.

Though Toronto isn’t exactly a powerhouse in the Eastern Conference at this point, getting three points without the team’s top two defensive midfielders is an impressive feat. Even when Kouamé returns – which seems not too far away at this point – there’s little to no argument that he should start over Oregel, which is inherently a good problem to have. For now, the all-American, all-Homegrown trio of Gutiérrez, Oregel, and Pineda will be enough to manage, with Williams providing competition and depth.

Mar 15, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto FC defender Nickseon Gomis (15) and Chicago Fire midfielder Sergio Oregel (35) battle for the ball during the first half at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images — (John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images)

Gutman is back to being a two-way weapon

When the Fire traded for Andrew Gutman in the fall of 2023, the aim was for him to be both an attacking and defensive threat on the left side. Injuries damaged his hopes of being a major contributor in 2024, and even when he did see the field, it was clear he wasn’t at his best.

Now, it’s two straight games with a goal for the former Fire Academy prospect, who is playing some of the best soccer of his career for his hometown club. In addition to his goal to tie the game at one apiece in the middle of the first half, Gutman was excellent defensively too, and contained Toronto’s star winger Federico Bernardsechi… who had looked like the hosts’ biggest threat throughout the 90 minutes.

Furthermore, Gutman’s firely passion was on display again against Toronto. He responded to the hostile crowd – which had drowned the U.S. national anthem in boos – by silencing the home fans, gesturing to them after his goal. The 28-year-old led with his play on the field, and seems to be growing perfectly into the “Jedi Robinson” role in Berhalter’s system.

Mar 15, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Chicago Fire defender Andrew Gutman (15) reacts after scoring against Toronto FC during the first half at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images — (John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images)

Cuypers will compete for the Golden Boot

Cuypers spoke last week about how he’s feeling more confident than ever before, and this has been demonstrated both by his good form in MLS action and his strong demeanor off the field. Despite not having a preseason at all and making his first game appearance of 2025 on opening day, he looks at his best now and has scored four goals in three games.

Against Toronto, Cuypers did not have a perfect game. He missed some chances, including a one-on-one early in the second half. However, the quality and quantity of chances being created by the Fire is far, far greater than it was in years past. Jonathan Bamba has not lit the league on fire yet but has supplied Cuypers well, while the central midfield unit of Brian Gutiérrez and Sergio Oregel together has been a creative engine room.

Cuypers scored a respectable 10 goals last season, but he’s already almost at half of that after just four games. If he continues at anything close to his current rate, he’ll be a Golden Boot challenger come the end of the season; exactly what the Fire hoped for when they signed him for $12 million.

Mar 15, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Chicago Fire forward Hugo Cuypers (9) questions the referee after his goal was disallowed during the second half against the Toronto FC at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: — (John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images)

Signings have been hits so far

While the homegrowns have been the stars of the show this season – a club-record five started in the win yesterday – the new first team signings who have taken the field have almost exclusively been successes. Jonathan Bamba has proven to be an upgrade on the left side, while Sam Rogers responded well since his move from the Norwegian second division and a shaky debut a few weeks ago.

The biggest winner of the game today was Leonardo Barroso, who came off the bench in the 13th minute but established himself as the Fire’s definitive best right back. Barroso replaced an injured Jonathan Dean (who had had a poor start to the game) and was one of the Fire’s best players both offensively and defensively.

To be clear, it hasn’t all been perfect; Philip Zinckernagel has had little to no impact so far, while Rominigue Kouamé continues to struggle with injuries. But it’s far to early to write either of them off, and Zinckernagel in particular could thrive once he adjusts fully to Major League Soccer and life in the United States.

Mentality and confidence are completely reformed

For those who have been following the Fire for many years, the anxiety in the final 15 minutes of yesterday’s game would have been unbearable. It had all the ingredients of a game in which the Fire collapsed late as they so often have over the years. It didn’t happen, and they held on confidently to win 2-1.

The ability to come from behind in three successive matches proves a colossal shift in mentality and collective confidence. Berhalter has instilled a sense of belief in this team that has been missing for the better part of the last decade, and it enabled the players to show mental fortitude to claim three points.

It’s still only four games into the season, so the sample size is small, and a lot can change. However, everything continues to point in the right direction. If the Fire can secure a difficult road win against the Vancouver Whitecaps next week, they’ll officially be off to the joint-second-best start to an MLS season in club history.