All the Latest Updates on Shaqiri, Navarro, and the U-20s

The Chicago Fire are in the midst of a difficult stretch right now, but with a busy month of May coming up, there is a lot to be excited about. Head Coach Ezra Hendrickson and midfielder Federico Navarro spoke to the media today, looking forward to this weekend’s match against Nashville SC, as well as providing updates crucial to the team in the next couple weeks.

How to be eggs?

Following the Fire’s heartbreaking 2-1 loss to Atlanta United two weeks ago, Hendrickson now-famously told the press that his team needed to be more like eggs than potatoes under pressure. It has unfortunately been a trend over the last few seasons that the Fire have consistently blown second-half leads, and that’s been the main reason that the team hasn’t achieved its goals. Last weekend, the Fire saw their late 1-0 lead evaporate against the last-placed New York Red Bulls.

“Marking on set pieces, not just late in the game but throughout the game, just hasn’t been enough,” says Hendrickson. “It’s a fixable thing. It’s not something where you’re telling the players about it and there’s not hope of it being fixed. If we were sitting here talking about three goals per game, and losing games 3-0, I’d be more worried.”

Gutiérrez, Brady officially out of U-20 World Cup

Two of the Fire’s best players this season have been teenage homegrowns, midfielder Brian Gutiérrez and goalkeeper Chris Brady. Gutiérrez has been the team’s most productive attacker playing in the #10 role, whereas Brady has been consistently reliable between the sticks despite only having just turned 19. Both would have been locked-in call-ups for the U.S. U-20 National Team, and Guti would likely have been a starter and the focal point of the attack at the World Cup in Argentina this month. However, neither will be there.

“We will not be releasing those two players,” Hendrickson said today. “We discussed it at length as a staff with the front office, and we feel that because these players are such an integral part of our team, two regular starters, having them gone for such a long time will be detrimental to what we’re trying to do here as a club, and reaching our goals such as making the playoffs… we understand the situation, the players want to represent their country, but it’s something that we discussed and we decided that for the clubs’ sake, it’s best that they stay home with us.”

Previously, both players have expressed significant interest in going to the tournament, with Gutiérrez in particular sharing that he would be frustrated by not being released. A few weeks back, he told us that “I would be disappointed [if I’m not able to go]... honestly, I feel like I was part of the process since day one. I was part of the first camp, and I have a really good bond with the coaching staff there; I feel like I’m a part of the group.”

The decision has been met with some backlash from fans, especially given that clubs like Atlanta United and the Philadelphia Union have already stated that they will release key starters in Caleb Wiley and Jack McGlynn. However, from the club’s perspective, it makes perfect sense that they wouldn’t want to lose their best players for up to six matches.

The latest on Terán, Shaqiri, and Torres

The Fire have dealt with some injury troubles this season, and that has allowed others to step up. For instance, when Xherdan Shaqiri missed an extended period, Gutiérrez was the go-to replacement, and he has been playing some of the best soccer of his young career. However, Hendrickson emphasized that DPs Shaqiri and Jairo Torres are still key pieces even as they work their way back from their layoffs.

“We have to be very careful with both Shaq and Torres,” Hendrickson says. “They’re back, they’re so important to what we do here and to our team. Beyond just being DPs, they’re very good football players. Yes, without them bring on the pitch for the past five, six weeks or so, we’ve done alright, but we can’t negate their capabilities to make us a better team. We feel they make us a better team, that’s why we have them on the team, that’s why they have such labels… we’re being very cautious the way we deal with things as far as not rushing them back too quickly, and when you have the guys doing so well in their absence, it gives you that luxury to be able to make sure you can slowly get them back.”

Carlos Terán picked up a knock in last weekend’s draw with the Red Bulls, and had to come out early. The team has been significantly better with him on the field, and he’s shown lots of progress over the last 18 months, but he’s dealt with his fair share of fitness troubles. His status for this weekend is day-to-day, and the decision will be made in the coming days, but he did not train today and it seems unlikely he’ll be available against Nashville.

Navarro back to fitness

Since his arrival in the summer of 2021, Fede Navarro has been one of the Fire’s best players, and has exceeded his paygrade as a U-22 initiative signing. After picking up an injury just minutes into the Fire’s opening game against NYCFC, the Argentine midfielder has finally been able to return to the field over the last two weeks, though he hasn’t been 100%.

“We have a lot of games coming up in May,” Navarro told the media. “I feel a lot better. This last game especially, I felt a lot better out on the field, I feel like I’m still working to get to 100% but I feel so much better, in the last few games, and I feel with all the game altogether, I feel like I’m going to get into a rhythm and catch up to the rhythm of the team. We’re ready, and ready to face all the matches that are coming up.”

The Fire will travel to Nashville this Saturday, with the match kicking off at 7:30 PM CT.