Chicago Fire Loan Justin Reynolds to FC Lugano

The Jones College Prep to Lugano pipeline hasn’t been a popular route for many, but the Chicago Fire’s Justin Reynolds has the opportunity to earn playing time in a new league this spring.

Reynolds, 19, is being loaned from Chicago to partner club FC Lugano until the end of the Swiss Super League season, according to MenInRed97’s Alex Calabrese. The move comes after rumors surfaced on Thursday.

Chicago’s homegrown fullback signed a professional contract with the Fire in May 2022 and officially joined the team at the beginning of 2023 after progressing through the Fire Academy as a youth player. Reynolds has yet to make his first-team debut but has made 40 regular-season appearances with Chicago Fire II and started their lone playoff game in 2023.

Analysis

Reynolds doesn't have a clear path to first-team soccer with the Chicago Fire in the early portion of 2024, so the short-term move to Lugano should be a productive one for the Chicagoan. At only 19, he’s made enough appearances in MLS Next Pro that a move elsewhere makes sense if only to have him compete against different styles of soccer.

Will Reynolds see a lot of playing time in Lugano? I’m not sure, but a new training atmosphere should bring out the best in the young fullback.