2024 Chicago Fire in Review: The Forwards

The Chicago Fire have struggled to score goals consistently in recent seasons, but their squad in 2024 had moments when it looked like the franchise had finally turned the corner after some lean goalscoring campaigns.

Hugo Cuypers was exactly what the club needed in a lead striker, and Brian Gutiérrez continued to progress as an attacking player in 2024.

2024 Chicago Fire in Review: The Forwards

Hugo Cuypers

Hugo Cuypers delivered a solid performance in his first season after joining the Fire on a club-record deal ahead of their 2024 MLS campaign. Cuypers led the team with ten goals and only trailed goalkeeper Chris Brady for the most minutes on the Fire with 2,617 over 31 appearances (all starts).

Chicago’s number nine can run forever and provides a high-pressing option throughout the 90 minutes. The Fire still needs to find a consistent service partner on the wing for Cuypers, as it’s been well-documented that he is at his best with a high volume of service from his attacking counterparts. If they can, Chicago’s first double-digit goalscorer in years should have more than ten goals in 2025.

Georgios Koutsias

Georgios Koutsias never fully found his footing in MLS after joining the Fire in March 2023, though he showed signs of improvement in bursts during his second season in Chicago. He struggled to get off the bench and only made five MLS starts, compiling 810 minutes, 200 fewer than in 2023.

Things turned in Koutsias’ favor, beginning with goals in consecutive League Cup matches. He then scored goals in consecutive matches against Inter Miami and RBNY.

Koutsias will look to build on his MLS experience on loan with FC Lugano in 2025. If the Swiss Super League side exercises its purchase option on the forward’s deal, he could remain there long-term.

Maren Haile-Selassie

Maren Haile-Selassie was once again a consistent source of shot-creating actions in his second season with the Chicago Fire after the club exercised its purchase option on his contract after the 2023 MLS season. His five goals were the third-most on a Fire side that struggled to find the net in 2024, and he managed to generate 58 shot-creating actions, tied for second on the team, per fbref.

Haile-Selassie remains under contract for two more MLS seasons and he should remain a starting option at winger in 2025.

Tom Barlow

The Fire acquired Barlow from RBNY ahead of the 2024 campaign, and the former University of Wisconsin star struggled to find the back of the net during his first season in Chicago. Barlow’s two goals came after September 1, with the Fire largely out of the playoff picture, but it provided a few positives for the backup striker to build on entering 2025. 

As of December 30, 2024, Barlow is the only other natural striker on the roster, along with Hugo Cuypers.

Brian Gutiérrez

Brian Gutiérrez was once again a mainstay in the Fire’s lineup in 2024, as he generated six goals and five assists in all competitions. The pressure was put on Gutiérrez’s shoulders in 2024, and there were spurts in which he fit into that role well under former coach Frank Klopas. The Fire had a far more aggressive Gutiérrez in 2024 as he set career-highs with 59 shots and 18 shots on target in MLS.

New Fire director of Football and head coach Gregg Berhalter told On Tap Sports Net after his introductory press conference that he has “a good way to communicate with [Gutiérrez]. I think he’s open with me, I’m open with him.” In an ideal world, that relationship should take the Homegrown attacker to the next level in 2025.

Chris Mueller

Chris Mueller was all over the pitch for the Fire in 2024, even lining up at right back as he looked to get his MLS career back on track after hip surgery ended his 2023 season early. Mueller managed two assists in over 1,300 minutes on the pitch and had moments where you saw the winger that dazzled early in his career with Orlando City.

Mueller is only under contract for the 2025 MLS season, so he will be playing to prove that he still belongs at this level after a tough few years.