Chicago Fire Roster Preview 2025: Goalkeepers
The kick-off of the Chicago Fire’s MLS season is less than one week away, and preparations are ramping up as the team returns home from preseason camp.
In the lead-up to opening day in Columbus, MIR97 Media is previewing each position group on the Fire’s roster, starting today with the goalkeepers.
The goalkeeping situation has not changed much for the Fire since last year, with familiar faces Chris Brady, Jeffrey Gal, and Bryan Dowd set to be the three goalkeepers registered for this first team at the start of the season. Brady and Gal were on the roster all of last season, while Dowd was drafted last winter but is yet to appear for either Fire II or the first team.
1. Chris Brady
Height: 6’3 (190.5 cm) | DOB: March 3, 2004 (20)
MLS Stats (2024):
Games played: 33 | Games started: 33 | Minutes: 2970
At just 20 years of age, Chris Brady has already proven that he is one of the most important players of this Chicago Fire team. The talented shot-stopper was impressive in his first two seasons as the Fire’s #1 in 2023 and 2024, and has demonstrated top form in preseason as well. Brady has shown that he is one of the best goalkeepers in the league and one of the best young goalkeepers in the world.
Last season, he started all 33 MLS games that he was available for, playing the full 90 minutes in every single one. He also recorded a 100% save percentage in four games, often facing more than five shots on goal per game.
78. Bryan Dowd
Height: 6’3 (191 cm) | DOB: March 8, 2002 (22)
MLS Stats (2024):
Games played: 0 | Games started: 0 | Minutes: 0
Drafted out of Notre Dame in 2024, Dowd has still not played a single minute for the Fire first team or Fire II. Last season, he was loaned to Huntsville City FC, missing much of the first half of the season due to injury. When available, he still failed to earn a starting job for Fire II ahead of academy keeper Patrick Los.
It was something of a surprise when the Fire exercised Dowd’s 2025 option, and it is hard to know exactly what role he will play this season. With that being said, it is unlikely to expect him to see any minutes this year for the Fire’s first team.
25. Jeff Gal
Height: 6’2 (187 cm) | DOB: April 6, 1993 (31)
MLS Stats (2024):
Games played: 0 | Games started: 0 | Minutes: 0
Gal also played 0 minutes last year for the Fire’s first team but did appear 8 times for Fire II in MLS Next Pro. However, the offseason departure of Spencer Richey means that, as of right now, Gal is the backup to Brady for the first team. Nonetheless, if this season goes anything like last year, it is unlikely that Gal will see many minutes.
Expect Gal to make some appearances in MLS Next Pro once again to maintain sharpness, as well as in the U.S. Open Cup.
70. Patrick Los
Height: 5’10 (177 cm) | DOB: August 17, 2007 (17)
Stats (2024):
Games played: 0 | Games started: 0 | Minutes: 0
Though not currently on the first team roster, Los is currently the team’s fourth-choice goalie and has appeared regularly for the Fire in preseason. Los has regularly been preferred to Dowd, including with Fire II last season and during preseason this year, so there’s an argument to be made that he is really the team’s #3.
The academy keeper rejected an MLS Next Pro contract offer this winter and is set to become a Michigan Wolverine toward the end of this MLS season. He will likely still see minutes for Fire II before he leaves for college.
The Verdict
Although Brady will be the protagonist this season and will be relied upon heavily by Berhalter, all 3 of these goalkeepers will be key to the Fire’s success. With defense being one of the biggest weak spots of the team throughout the past few years, the role that all three of the players listed will have towards team morale and overall performance can not be understated.
Read More:
https://meninred97.com/chicago-fire-roster-preview-2025-defenders/
https://meninred97.com/chicago-fire-roster-preview-2025-midfielders/
https://meninred97.com/chicago-fire-roster-preview-2025-forwards/
