Chicago Fire Notebook: Chris Brady on USMNT Experience, Availability, Carlos Terán and More

The Chicago Fire were without starting goalkeeper Chris Brady for more than a month as the 21-year-old was with the United States Men’s National Team as they made their run to the CONCACAF Gold Cup Final before returning for the club’s US Open Cup defeat to Minnesota United earlier this week.

The time with the USMNT was his first senior national team soccer with the US and forced Brady to adjust to another stylistic preference for head coach Mauricio Pochettino.

The Fire’s goalkeeper credited fellow USMNT goalkeepers Matt Turner and Matt Freese for helping him adjust to the expectations for the national team.

They were super supportive, because the way of goalkeeping there is a little different than what people are used to, and so they were super supportive,” Brady said. I spoke with Turner quite a bit about his experiences, just his time in the MLS, different people he's bumped into, and his time going overseas.

I've been speaking with Freese for a while now, so I'm familiar with him, he's super cool. They’re nice guys and they were super helpful with anything I had questions on or needed help with.”

Brady did not appear for the USMNT during their friendlies or the Gold Cup but the emphasis on shot-stopping was felt by the Fire’s Homegrown goalkeeper, who will now be competing for a spot on their World Cup roster in 2026.

“It's inspiring to me that that's now, like an achievable possibility. Before I even got into the camp, it was sort of like this lofty goal that I had, but now that it's in the works and I've taken concrete steps towards that, I think that's definitely something that I can achieve and something I'm going to strive for in the coming year.”

Based on what he heard from the coaching staff, Brady did the right things during his time with the USMNT.

“The feedback I received from the goalkeeper coach [Toni Jiménez] and Poch was positive about the adaptations that I made. They were happy with my progress, especially coming into a new way of finding the goalkeeping position.”

From the rest of my notebook:

Rominigue Kouamé and Kellyn Acosta

Rominigue Kouamé and Kellyn Acosta were among the limited participants in the Fire’s training session on Thursday, as most of the team had recovery days after playing in the U.S. Open Cup midweek. Fire head coach and director of football Gregg Berhalter said both are “game-time decisions” for Saturday’s match against San Diego. Kouamé has not played since leaving the Fire’s 7-1 win over D.C. United on June 7 while Acosta suffered an injury during training last week before the club’s trip to Cincinnati. Should neither be available on Saturday, expect increased minutes for rookie Sam Williams.

Brian Gutiérrez

Brian Gutiérrez has put the Fire in some less-than-favorable positions in 2025, most notably when he was sent off in the first half against NYCFC after a needless challenge. That led to Gutiérrez’s second suspension of 2025, which he spoke about after the Fire’s win over Charlotte at the end of June.

“It was really reflecting of myself in the mirror, and I’m not that type of player to make those

decisions, and Gregg's really pushed me and has helped me,” Gutiérrez told reporters after that match. “I thank him for doing that. I thank my team for being by my side. I always do it for them.

“I just want to keep progressing as a player. The goal for us is to reach the playoffs. I think it's a good sign.”

He followed that statement up with a decent performance against FC Cincinnati before scoring the Fire’s lone goal in their Open Cup loss to Minnesota United from the penalty spot.

Rumors of a move have been present all year but now is the time where the Fire’s Homegrown midfielder needs to show his worth in Major League Soccer before taking the next step in his career.

Carlos Terán rumors

Despite ample rumors that Terán will be on the move this transfer window, the Fire’s center back remains in Chicago as he continues to rehab the leg injury that has kept him out of Chicago’s lineup since April 19.

Terán remains a prime candidate to be on the move this summer.