Chicago Fire Notebook: Andrew Gutman on Nashville Rematch, Christopher Cupps Injury & More

It was an embarrassing performance when the Chicago Fire lost 7-2 to Nashville SC in April and the entire organization is aware of how poorly that match went.

The Fire (7-5-4, 25 points) have turned things around since their drubbing at the hands of Nashville on April 26 but the club hasn’t forgotten how they felt after they were embarrassed at GEODIS Park.

“What happened last time is unacceptable and the guys know that,” said Andrew Gutman, “we definitely want to, kind of flip the script on that whole situation, and this weekend's a perfect time for us to do it. I think the team we were then and the team we were now is completely different, and hopefully this Saturday we can go out in front of our home fans and get a win.”

The Fire have gone 6-1-1 in all competitions since the reverse fixture in Nashville, and Gutman credits that success to his side’s better understanding of how they’re supposed to play under head coach Gregg Berhalter.

“We're understanding what the coaches want to do for us, the system they want to play. And it's one of those systems that it's not [getting fixed] overnight, there's going to be bumps, there's going to be highs and lows. And I think now we're starting to get into a place where we have more highs than lows. That's just the combination of the coaches constantly implementing that, and also the players responding super well, and everyone's studying to really understand their individual roles and how it plays into the team's success.”

Gutman has been one of the better left-backs in Major League Soccer in 2025 and has garnered support for his inclusion in the All-Star Game in July, though he is being realistic about his chances.*

“It's always cool to be in consideration. And people kind of put your name up for that – for me, those awards are a little tricky, right? Because it's sometimes maybe not the best players in the position, but maybe more of the most popular players. So I look at it as it's super nice to be in the conversation because that means you're doing things, right? But for me, I just focus on getting better every single day and then on the weekends being the best version that I can of myself.”

From the rest of my notebook

Christopher Cupps

The Fire will be without their 17-year-old center back for a few weeks after he suffered a fractured leg while with the US U17 during the international window, according to Berhalter during his weekly media availability.

Hugo Cuypers

The Fire’s leading goalscorer missed last weekend’s win over D.C. United due to injury but he was back in training on Thursday ahead of Chicago’s match against Nashville SC. If Cuypers is healthy enough to go against Nashville, that would allow Jason Shokalook to travel with Fire II to their match against Carolina Core.

Dje D’Avilla

Dje D’Avilla was back with the team this week after missing the contest in Washington D.C. and is expected to be available vs Nashville SC.