Chicago Fire Notebook: Jack Elliott on Fire's Progress, First Half Awards, Carlos Terán and More

The Chicago Fire are at the halfway point in their 2025 Major League Soccer season and there have been plenty of signs of progress for the club as they seek their first playoff berth since 2017, though they are still outside of the Eastern Conference playoff places.

The Fire (7-6-4, 25 points, 10th in Eastern Conference) are back in action Wednesday evening after their midseason break when they host the Philadelphia Union as they look to bounce back from another tough loss to Nashville SC.

Chicago is only out of the playoff spot due to having a game in-hand on Charlotte FC in the ninth spot, a side the Fire will host at Soldier Field a few days after the Union come to the lakefront.

It will be a reunion of sorts when Philadelphia comes to town as it will be the first time that current Chicago Fire captain Jack Elliott faces off against the side that was his home for eight seasons after being selected in the fourth round of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft following a standout collegiate career at West Virginia University.

Elliott, 29, knows it will be an emotional moment when he faces off against his former side.

“I don't really know how to describe it yet. It's going to be, certainly, interesting to see guys that I played a long time with and playing against them,” Elliott told reporters on Monday. “So I can't really describe how it's going to feel yet.

“Right now I haven't put too much thought into that side of the game but I'm sure that as the day happens, I'll feel some things. But, right now, it's not on my list of concerns.”

The Fire remain just outside the playoff places with half the season remaining but Elliott, who leads the team in minutes, believes his side is in a position to go on a run because they have a chance to win every match they play.

“I think the quality of the team is there. We have a lot of good footballers and have the chance to win every game, really, which is crucial.

Being in the position to be able to win games is a first step. And I just think going forward, obviously, just need to be a bit more clinical and clean a few things up and then I think we'll be making the playoffs and become contenders.”

Elliott has been lined up alongside veteran center back Omar González in the last two matches due to Sam Rogers and Christopher Cupps’ respective injuries, and the former USMNT defender has been a good partner for the Fire’s captain.

“It's good. He's a veteran [and he’s] teaching me a few things as well. He's certainly got a lot to offer. And I've been learning from him still.”

His center back partner will continue to rotate in 2025 but Elliott’s play will be a crucial component of the Fire’s success in the second half of the MLS season.

From the rest of my notebook:

Some first-half awards from yours truly:

First Half MVP: Andrew Gutman

The Fire’s starting left back is delivering a top-level performance in 2025 as he continues to show his worth after an injury-riddled first season with Chicago in 2024. Gutman trails only Jack Elliott in minutes played with 1,402, and his six goal contributions are the fifth-most on the team. Gutman is asked to cover a whole lot of ground and has consistently shown that he can be someone the Fire rely on in the second half of 2025.

Honorable mention: Philip Zinckernagel

Biggest Surprise: Sergio Oregel Jr.

It was not a shock to those who have watched him over the years, but Sergio Oregel’s physical growth in the offseason ahead of the 2025 MLS season has springboarded the Homegrown midfielder into a regular spot in the Fire’s starting 11 after earning that spot in the preseason. He has been the most consistent face in the midfield for Chicago in 2025, and there’s no reason to believe his play shouldn’t improve in the second half of the season.

Honorable mention: Christopher Cupps

The player the team needs more from: Jonathan Bamba

It is a bit ridiculous to say this about a winger with ten goal contributions in 17 appearances in all competitions but the Fire need more from their second Designated Player in the second half of the season. Bamba has the ability to change games, but he does get down on himself when his chances don’t turn into goals, which was the case during the second Nashville match, and that was a point of discussion between the winger and his head coach, who also provided Bamba with a vote of confidence.

“I actually pulled him aside after last game and talked to him about keeping his head held high because he's such a key contributor to our group, and even if he misses changes, don't worry because you'll get another chance, it's really about what's next rather than what just happened,” Berhalter said. “We couldn't be happier with him and his work rate and his ability to create chances, and I think it just has that cumulative effect on the opposing defenses, where he just wears them down. He's able to put his teammates in good positions. He's a selfless player.”

Honorable mention: Brian Gutiérrez

Carlos Terán Update

The Fire’s center back has not been with the team at training since they returned from their break last Friday, and Gregg Berhalter addressed the defender’s absence during his media availability on Monday:

“Carlos should be back in a couple of weeks. He's not ready to train. He was getting treatment elsewhere. We'll have him back in and we’re really trying to get him prepared as we enter the second half of the season.”

Terán has been tied to a move to Newell’s Old Boys in Argentina for weeks and there is a solid chance, despite what Berhalter said, that the center back never appears for the Fire again. Fire II’s Jean Alpha Diouf has been training with the first team in Terán’s spot and he is an internal candidate to get the roster spot should Terán depart soon.