Mueller Reveals Cardiac Diagnosis, Out for 2025
CHICAGO, Ill. — Chris Mueller will miss the remainder of the MLS season as he battles pericarditis, the Chicago Fire winger announced today. Mueller was diagnosed during this year's preseason and has not played since.
”I felt like it was time to come out and say what I’ve been dealing with,” Mueller said in a video statement released Thursday afternoon. “It hasn’t been an easy situation for anyone, and for me especially. I’m really grateful for everyone in the Fire family for their support and everything they continue to do for me.”
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Pericarditis, a cardiac tissue disorder, occurs when the pericardium (the area surrounding the heart) becomes inflamed or irritated. It can cause sharp chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, and occasional heart palpitations. Mueller has been unable to train fully all season, as high physical activity can cause the inflammation to worsen.
Nonetheless, Mueller has remained around the club throughout the year and has continued to keep a regular presence at the Fire’s training facility in the city. Though he did not get medical clearance from doctors to return to play this season, he has reaffirmed his commitment to returning to play as soon as he is able.
Many athletes who encounter pericarditis are able to make a comeback, including former Chelsea women’s forward Fran Kirby and tennis star Nick Kyrgios.
The Fire also announced this afternoon that Mueller has been added to the team’s Season-Ending Injury (SEI) list and will thus be ineligible for the rest of the year. The winger had previously been on the 6-week injury list when it seemed he would be able to come back in early summer, but unfortunately, there was a setback, and he did not receive the medical green light to train fully.
As he moved to the SEI list, Mueller will open a spot on the senior roster as well as his TAM designation. This means the Fire will now have two open positions on the senior roster as the MLS summer transfer window opens today. In short, they can now sign one Designated Player (the club is in negotiations with Norway’s Bodø/Glimt for midfielder Patrick Berg) and one TAM player without moving any other players.
