2023 Chicago Fire in Review: Jonathan Dean

Jonathan Dean spent the 2023 MLS regular season proving to everyone that he belongs at this level, so much so that the Chicago Fire picked up the right back’s contract option for the 2024 season.

After waiting over three years to make his MLS debut after being selected by Orlando City in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft, Dean made his first league appearance at right midfielder out of necessity once Fabian Herbers was sent off in the Fire’s 1-0 loss to Philadelphia in March. That versatility earned him playing time throughout the 2023 season before he took over the starting right back position in July.

After starting every league match he played in for the Birmingham Legion in the USL Championship from 2020-2022, Dean made 27 appearances and 17 starts in all competitions in 2023 while generating 27 shot-creating actions, per fbref. Dean’s impact was felt throughout the organization, and when he played two matches with Chicago Fire II, those younger players remarked about how he was showing them another route into the lineup of an MLS club.

Dean’s on-pitch highlight of the 2023 MLS regular season was his assist on Brian Gutiérrez’s goal in the Fire’s 2-2 draw against the New England Revolution on Sept. 23. Dean played a laser-like cross from the right flank for Gutiérrez to tap in, giving the right back the first assist of his MLS career in the process.