2024 Chicago Fire in Review: Jonathan Dean

The Chicago Fire’s 2024 MLS season wasn’t anything to write home about but Jonathan Dean managed to once again make a name for himself in the league with another strong campaign at multiple positions.

Dean played all over the pitch for Chicago, particularly in the first half of the season, as he filled in on the left side for the injured Andrew Gutman and Chase Gasper. Dean remained on the left until the Fire acquired Ariel Lassiter in August and he shifted to a right wingback role after former coach Frank Klopas installed a back five in Chicago’s defense.

Dean’s second season in MLS saw him fill many spots in Chicago’s backline while making 24 appearances (12 starts) and accumulating over 1,100 minutes on the pitch. The former Orlando City draft pick’s 42 clearances were the seventh-most by a Fire player in 2024.

The peak of Dean’s season came when the Fire hosted Toronto FC at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview on Sept. 28 when he hammered in a cross from Ariel Lassiter to notch his first career goal in Major League Soccer.

Dean will be back in 2025 after the Fire exercised his contract option and he'll need to show off his versatility to new head coach Gregg Berhalter.