Chase Gasper "Happy and Joyful" in Long-Awaited Return
436 days. That's how long Chase Gasper had to wait between professional appearances of any sort.
The Chicago Fire's 29-year-old left back had initially been injured late on against the New England Revolution in March of 2024. After several setbacks that made him miss the entire remainder of last season, things got even worse when he injured himself during the offseason.
But now, after a year, two months, and nine days, Gasper got back on the field yesterday. It was a casual setting – an MLS Next Pro regular season game with Chicago Fire II – but that didn't matter.
"I know I'm not showing it, but I am do feel happy and joyful on the inside," Gasper told MIR97 Media postgame. "I'm super grateful to the whole training staff and (Rehabilitation Coordinator) Sergio (Martín Acuña) for all the time and energy they spent with me."
"I just want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for all the work that they put into me."
Things went exactly according to plan for Gasper and Fire II. 16 minutes into the game, playing against a Columbus Crew 2 side that had ended their 2024 season, team captain Diego Konincks headed home the opening goal from close range. Justin Reynolds doubled the lead before halftime, before Trip Fleming, Jean Balpha Diouf, and Jason Shokalook rounded out a remarkable 5-0 win in the second half.
Gasper, as expected, played the first 45 minutes and was replaced at halftime as he continues to ramp up to full fitness. He recorded 38 touches and completed 18 passes, including two into the final third. In doing so, he looked comfortable and sharp, exactly what you want from a player coming back after such a long absence.
"It's tough to not let the emotions get to you, it's about calming yourself down and not letting the moment be too big," Gasper said of his first moments in the game. "I was kind of reflecting on everybody that put in all the time with me and thanking God for how blessed I am to be here and to get me back here."
"It's hard not to get emotional, even now. I'm just super grateful, super happy to be here."
Next up, Gasper's focus will turn to continuing his progress and getting back into the first team squad. He has trained with the main group for most of the last few weeks, though he hasn't yet made a matchday roster.
Nonetheless, his return will be a welcome one for Gregg Berhalter's squad depth. Gasper is one of just two natural left backs on the roster alongside red-hot Andrew Gutman, who has played the bulk of the minutes this season; Gutman's heavy workload is slowly beginning to take a toll late in games, and alternative options like Leo Barroso, Jonathan Dean, and Maren Haile-Selassie have been used as out-of-position stopgaps on the left side of the back line. If Gasper can get back to his best soon, it will lighten the weight on Gutman's shoulders and dramatically improve the Fire as the season goes on.
"When you're not playing and you're just watching from the sidelines, it forces you to show in different aspects of the game," Gasper said. "In the last years and two months I've try to be the best teammate I can be. I know the ups and downs of the season, so I was just trying to be happy for everyone and trying to keep a positive mentality. So I'm super thankful to all of my teamates for helping me through a tough past year."
