Chicago Fire Roster Preview 2025: Defenders
As we continue MIR97 Media’s preview of the 2025 Chicago Fire roster, it is time to look at what could prove to be one of the most important positions this year: the defense.
Last season, the Fire's backline was plagued by inconsistency, and frequent injuries certainly did not help. For one, star left back signing Andrew Gutman was injured less than two minutes into the first match; an emphasis will be on both keeping everyone healthy and seeing how the new additions adapt.
Although we have seen bits and pieces during preseason, it will be key to see how some of the veterans of the team manage to link with new signings to play under the new coaching staff.
4. Carlos Terán
Height: 6’2 (188 cm) | DOB: September 24, 2000 (24)
MLS Stats (2024):
Games played: 18 | Games started: 14 | Minutes: 1221
Despite having been one of the two preferred center backs last season alongside Tobias Salquist, Terán missed 12 games due to injury. The first was during the spring, where he missed two games due to knee surgery, while the second and third made him miss a total of 10 more matches in August and October.
When healthy, Terán is a physical center back who is also good on the ball. His pass completion percentage was up significantly from previous years, and although there were some errors defensively last year that cost the team, this can be attributed to the lack of consistency due to his string of injuries. Despite all of this, he still recorded 1221 minutes scoring a goal and getting an assist in that time.
5. Sam Rogers
Height: 6’4 (193 cm) | DOB: May 17, 1999 (25)
MLS Stats (2024):
Games played: 0 | Games started: 0 | Minutes: 0
Being his first season in MLS, Rogers did not play much last season for Hamarkameratene (HamKam), in the Norwegian first flight, and Aalesunds FK, in the second division, on loan from Lillestrøm, recording 19 appearances for a total of 1274 minutes. Rogers is a tall and well-rounded defender who was capped once by the USMNT in 2023.
Originally from the Seattle Sounders academy, Rogers has not yet played a single minute in MLS, with his only top-flight experience being in the Norwegian Eliteserien.
36. Justin Reynolds
Height: 5’9 (175 cm) | DOB: August 4, 2004 (20)
MLS Stats (2024):
Games played: 8 | Games started: 1 | Minutes: 219
The minutes Reynolds was given towards the end of the season were put to great use as he impressed in a handful of cameo appearances. The homegrown spent the first part of the season on loan at the Fire’s sister club, FC Lugano, and came back to a team with multiple players out injured on defense.
When it comes to players like Reynolds, it is easy to judge by minutes and lack of play time. However, it is important to remember that he hasn’t even turned 21 yet and was already proving at the end of last season just how reliable he can be, not only as a left back, but also on the right.
15. Andrew Gutman
Height: 5’10 (178 cm) | DOB: October 2, 1996 (28)
MLS Stats (2024):
Games played: 11 | Games started: 11 | Minutes: 736
Starting every game he played in last season, Gutman is the obvious choice to start at left back. Once again, though, he joins the list of players cursed with injuries over the last 12 months. It started with the hamstring injury sustained minutes into the first game of the season, which made him miss seven matches; he would miss another 15 throughout the rest of the year, missing a total of 270 days.
In the games he did play, Gutman got an assist and produced one of the goals of the season for the team, a volley from outside the box against D.C. United. Once again looking on fire this preseason, if he remains healthy the left side will be as strong as can be defensively.
77. Chase Gasper
Height: 6’0 (183 cm) | DOB: January 25, 1996 (29)
MLS Stats (2024):
Games played: 4 | Games started: 2 | Minutes: 241
Gasper was and is primarily a replacement for Gutman at left back. Unfortunately, he sustained the worst injury of last season, a hamstring injury that kept him out of 31 matches for a total of 331 days. While he played very well overall in his four appearances, his season came to an end almost before it had even started.
With a major MCL injury sustained during the offseason, it is unknown exactly how much of this coming season he will miss. As of right now, unfortunately, it is very unlikely we will see him anytime soon.
3. Jack Elliott
Height: 6’6 (198 cm) | DOB: August 25, 1995 (29)
MLS Stats (2024) (for Philadelphia Union):
Games played: 28 | Games started: 27 | Minutes: 2393
The last time Elliott played under 2300 minutes in a season was back in 2020, demonstrating just how consistent and reliable he is. Tallying 3 assists last year and starting 27 out of the 28 games he played in, he has been a regular in the Union back line pretty much since he got drafted into MLS back in 2017.
Taking this into account, on top of his tall 6’6 frame, it is clear to understand why Berhalter brought him in this off season. In a perfect scenario, he will partner Terán in the back line as one of the two starting center backs.
2. Leonardo Barroso
Height: 5’6 (170 cm) | DOB: June 12, 2005 (19)
MLS Stats (2024):
Games played: 0 | Games started: 0 | Minutes: 0
Over the last season and a half for Sporting CP B, the young Portuguese fullback has played 29 matches for a total of 1893 in the Portuguese third division. In that time, he has scored 4 goals playing primarily right back but also occasionally on the left.
Also debuting for the Portuguese U-20 National Team this past September, he has already appeared in 6 matches for them, scoring on one occasion. Similar to Reynolds, the possibilities are endless for the young player, especially considering the things he has accomplished before the age of 20. Barroso will likely share minutes with Reynolds and Dean on the right side.
24. Jonathan Dean
Height: 5’8 (173 cm) | DOB: May 15, 1997 (27)
MLS Stats (2024):
Games played: 24 | Games started: 12 | Minutes: 1103
Dean is slowly having a more and more important role for this team every year. Being able to play both on the left and right, he was a key player last season with Gutman out for extended periods of time. He scored a goal in this time and recorded a passing completion percentage of over 80%, proving just how solid he can be when give a chance.
This preseason, Dean has also impressed significantly with great performances against teams like the LA Galaxy just a few days ago, making a good case for having an even bigger role this season. He will likely be Gutman's backup on the left side given the long-term absence of Gasper.
22. Mauricio Pineda
Height: 6’1 (185 cm) | DOB: October 17, 1997 (27)
MLS Stats (2024):
Games played: 21 | Games started: 11 | Minutes: 1143
The Chicago native has also been one of the key parts of this defense last year considering all of the inconsistency due to injuries. He scored a goal in the 21 games he played, 11 of which he started. With outstanding performances at center back against teams like the Union on opening day, he can also play in the holding midfield position when needed.
Notably, Pineda averaged 89.5% in pass completion, among the highest in MLS, and only comparable to players like Sergio Busquets with 90.3%.
34. Omar González
Height: 6’5 (195 cm) | DOB: October 11, 1988 (36)
MLS Stats (2024):
Games played: 15 | Games started: 10 | Minutes: 836
González is a very experienced player who has been in the league since 2008. In that time, he has played for teams like the L.A. Galaxy, FC Dallas, New England Revolution, and Toronto FC. Most notably, he made 50+ appearances for the USMNT between 2010 and 2019.
He might not be the immediate option and go-to in the starting lineup for Berhalter, but he will definitely be one of the first options at center back in case of injuries or absences. Berhalter has already said that the most important thing González will bring to this younger group off the field will be discipline.
38. Christopher Cupps
Height: 6’1 (185 cm) | DOB: May 26, 2008 (16)
MLS Stats (2024):
Games played: 0 | Games started: 0 | Minutes: 0
While Cupps' signing has not yet been announced by the club, he has already signed a homegrown contract, as reported by MIR97 Media. The 16-year-old defender likely won't play a big role in 2025 but is one of the most promising talents in the country right now.
Cupps will likely play the bulk of his minutes for Fire II, and will also miss some time when he's away with the U.S. U-17 National Team. A first team debut in 2025 would be a surprise, but a welcome one given his strong performances for the first team in preseason.
All the players listed above will be crucial components to the success of the team this season. With a good mix of young talent in Reynolds, Barroso, and Cupps, along with veterans such as Elliott, Gutman, and Pineda, Berhalter has focused on reinforcing the defense over any other position this off-season, an investment that should prove to be extremely beneficial.
Most likely, Gutman and Elliott will play the bulk of the minutes, and a healthy Terán will partner Elliott in the middle. Over the course of the season, Barroso should emerge as the frontrunner on the right, though Reynolds could also challenge him.
Read More:
https://meninred97.com/chicago-fire-roster-preview-2025-forwards/
https://meninred97.com/chicago-fire-roster-preview-2025-midfielders/
https://meninred97.com/chicago-fire-roster-preview-2025-goalkeepers/
