It’s not always easy to make the transition from a career in Europe to Major League Soccer, especially for a player in his early 30s. The pace and physicality are different all while routinely traveling distances one would only expect in European competition. The 2023 season was the first summer that Arnaud Souquet had played competitively at the club level, and the right back’s output tailed off as the MLS season wore on after joining the Chicago Fire from Ligue 1’s Montpellier on a free transfer in January.
Souquet made his mark on the starting lineup for most of the MLS season, starting 22 of the 25 league matches he appeared in between March and September before losing his starting right back spot to Jonathan Dean down the stretch. Things started well for Souquet, who collected three assists in a seven-match stretch between March 18 and April 29, but those were his only goal contributions in MLS. He managed two goals, one each in the U.S. Open Cup and the inaugural Leagues Cup.
Souquet’s had two standout highlights in 2023, both coming in matches against Minnesota United. Souquet served up the match-winning assist to Kei Kamara in the Fire’s 2-1 win over the Loons on April 8 amidst a bitterly cold evening on the lakefront. The right back then had a lovely goal in the Leagues Cup, never giving up on the play and tapping in the Fire’s first-ever open-play goal in that tournament as Chicago won 3-2.
What's On Tap Next?
The 2024 season will begin with Souquet fighting for his starting spot alongside Dean as the Frenchman is under contract with Chicago through the 2025 MLS season.
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