Source: Chase Gasper traded to the Fire
Left back Chase Gasper is being traded from the Houston Dynamo to the Chicago Fire, sources tell MIR97 Media. The one-time U.S. international will take up a supplemental roster slot, and won't count against the salary cap for the next two seasons. Houston will receive a 2026 third-round SuperDraft pick in exchange.
Gasper, 28, represents a solid MLS-quality backup to newly-acquired starter Andrew Gutman, who was traded from Colorado earlier this offseason. He has made 85 career MLS appearances, mostly for Minnesota United, but played just five times last season for the Dynamo. The Fire had been in need depth at left back following the departures of both starter Miguel Ángel Navarro and backup Alonso Aceves this offseason.
The trade is an extremely savvy one as Gasper is essentially a free addition by all metrics. Just one 2026 third-rounder is going the other way in the exchange, and even then, clever accounting ensures that the Fire won't have to pay his full salary, either, with Houston and L.A. covering part of it. Because Gasper will make up part of the supplemental roster the portion that the Fire pay will not count against the cap.
Once viewed as one of league's top young left backs, Gasper has struggled to stand out since his move to the L.A. Galaxy in 2022. He made just 17 appearances before being waived and joining Houston. However, for the Fire, this represents a low-risk move that ensures there is depth behind Gutman in his position.
Gasper represents the seventh addition of the offseason, following the signings of Maren Haile-Selassie, Andrew Gutman, Tom Barlow, Tobias Salquist, Bryan Dowd, and Allan Arigoni, but the Fire are almost certainly not done yet. There is still a need for a Designated Player #9, and more movement is expected on that front before the season starts in less than a month. Furthermore, there are several outgoing moves that the Fire are hoping to make, with players like Arnaud Souquet, Jairo Torres, and Gastón Giménez some whom could make way. Most foreign leagues, such as the Mexican, French, and German ones, close their transfer windows on February 1st, though Argentina's runs through February 18th.
