Is Christopher Cupps ready for a first Chicago Fire start?

The Chicago Fire are facing their second major positional crisis of this season. After surviving a weeks-long scare during which the team carried a near-total lack of midfielders, it must now endure a defensive slide that has seen them concede ten goals in two games — including seven against Nashville SC alone.

“Any time you're down a touchdown and an extra point, it's not a good thing,” Head Coach Gregg Berhalter told media Thursday. “In particular, we did not feel like the back line performed well in the last two games, and so we’re evaluating that.”

The Fire’s defensive instability now looms large as they gear up for a return home this Saturday against Orlando City. Without a doubt, shoring up the league’s statistically leakiest defense will be key as Berhalter searches for his first-ever win at Soldier Field.

Another opportunity for Cupps?

Besides the truly remarkable 7-2 scoreline from last week’s Fire game — the sixth-highest-scoring match in MLS history and highest-scoring in Chicago history — the silver lining and next biggest story came from a late substitute. 16-year-old homegrown defender Christopher Cupps, undoubtedly a top-two prospect in the Fire organization, made his official first team debut when he appeared for the final 15 minutes at Geodis Park.

It was an unceremonious, if not strange, setting for a pro debut, but nonetheless served as a reward for the incredible progress that Cupps continues to make in his development. Now, with his first appearance out of the way, one would imagine that the talented defender could be an option to partner Jack Elliott at center back on Saturday.

“Any defender who is on the roster would be in consideration,” Berhalter said when asked if Cupps was an option to start in lieu of the injured Carlos Terán and struggling Sam Rogers. “We evaluate match performance, and we make decisions of who is going to step on the field on that match day.”

“I think it would be fair to say that after two consecutive performances like that, we would look across the entire roster to see if we can improve our performance.”

Cupps is not the only option should Berhalter opt to pivot from the out-of-form Rogers, with 36-year-old Omar González also in the squad. However, the veteran ex-USMNT defender has looked a shadow of his former self in his own limited minutes, meaning a gamble with an inexperienced homegrown might be worth it.

Besides, Cupps continues to break through every ceiling put before him in his young career so far. He dramatically exceeded expectations with his quick ascent to MLS Next Pro minutes last season, earned an MLS contract with his eye-catching performances in preseason, and is now on the brink of regular first team minutes. It’s been clear since he was a young teenager in the academy that he has potential star quality and has demonstrated in recent months that he has the mentality and maturity to match it.

“To try to picture myself when I was 16, to see myself as put together as he is, it's like crazy to think about,” said Mauricio Pineda, one of just two previous homegrown players to appear at center back for the Fire first team. “I think his mind is right. He's so open to instruction, which is really good. I think he just has to continue to work the way he is, I think he's doing a great job.”

“In preseason he did a great job. He's doing a great job now. He's humble. He's hard-working. He's always in the gym… he's already doing all the right things but at the same time on the field, he's very open to anything that I ever talked to him about. So it's great to see that from a young player.”

Right back question

It’s impossible to pin the Fire’s recent struggles on just one injury, but comparing the team’s results with and without new U-22 signing Leonardo Barroso is certainly compelling. The Portuguese right back, who signed from Sporting CP’s reserves in February, made his debut, sparking a three-goal comeback for the Fire’s first win of the season. He played a major role in helping the team win his first three games with the club, but since going down with injury, they are yet to taste three points again.

Homegrown defender Justin Reynolds made his second MLS start in the first game without Barroso but was benched by converted winger Omari Glasgow, who solidified his spot with a solid performance against Inter Miami. Since then, it’s become clear that expecting consistent high-level performances from the fullback depth is unrealistic, but with Barroso still set to miss a “couple more weeks,” it’s something that has to be addressed.

“I think with center back injuries and fullback injuries, it adds up,” Berhalter said. “I think it would be doing the guys who are playing a disservice but chalking it up to injuries. Guys have gotten opportunities, and I think we know that their performance can be improved.”

In addition to Reynolds and Glasgow, third-season backup Jonathan Dean is back to fitness and available for selection. Team captain Kellyn Acosta is also capable of playing either fullback position if necessary.

Read more:

https://meninred97.com/sources-chris-cupps-signs-as-chicago-fire-homegrown/

https://meninred97.com/homegrown-heroes/