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The Chicago Fire’s chances for the playoffs officially ended at SeatGeek stadium.
With a 1-1 tie with Toronto FC on Sept. 28 in front of an announced crowd of 16,097 in Bridgeview, the Fire (7-16-9) have been eliminated from the Major League Soccer postseason picture for the 11th time in the past 12 seasons.
“This is frustration because, you know, there was a slim chance you fight till the end,” Fire coach Frank Klopas said. “Now that the chance is gone, it’s disappointing for sure – for all of us.
“We’re professional and we need to regroup and we need to finish strong. We have two games left and we have to go on the road and try to get a result and finish on a positive note.”
Chicago was scheduled to visit Charlotte on Oct. 2 and hosts Nashville Oct. 19 at Soldier Field.
The Fire was hoping for a better showing against Toronto (11-17-4). They put together one of their best matches of the season with a 4-1 road victory in Canada on June 15.
But it was not to be on Sept. 28.
Toronto scored first during first-half stoppage time on a penalty kick from Prince Owusu.
Jonathan Dean came onto the game in the 75th minute and 10 minutes later knotted the game at 1-1 with his first MLS goal on a pass from Ariel Lassiter.
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Fire player Justin Reynolds (left) starts to take a tumble that left him on the ground for several minutes before returning to the game against Toronto on Sept. 28 in Bridgeview. Photo by Jeff Vorva
Red Stars fall to Courage
Brazilian star Ludmilla scored for the second time in as many games, but it did not help the Chicago Red Stars in a 3-1 loss to the North Carolina Courage in a National Women’s Soccer League battle on Sept. 29 in front of an announced crowd of 4,317 at SeatGeek Stadium.
The Courage scored on an own goal by Chicago’s Cari Roccaro in the 15th minute and that set the tone for a rough night for the Red Stars (9-11-2).
After the game, the Red Stars were still fairly comfortable in the playoff picture but there are some tough opponents in the future.
Eight teams make the playoffs and the Red Stars sat in sixth place with 29 points in 22 games while Portland and Bay FC were in seventh and eighth place with 28 points each and Louisville was in ninth with 25.
The Red Stars wrap up the regular season at Houston (4-13-5) on Oct. 4, hosting Gotham (13-4-5) on Oct. 12, visiting Washington (15-5-2) on Oct. 20 and hosting Kansas City (12-3-7) on Nov. 3.
Naeher back for 2025
Alyssa Naeher, a two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist, will return for a 10th season to the Red Stars, the club announced Sept. 25.
“I’m excited to be returning to Chicago for my 10th season,” Naeher said in a news release. “I’m looking forward to being on the field with my teammates, competing for championships and continuing to try to make this club the best it can be.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Alyssa back for her 10th season with the club,” Red Stars general manager Richard Feuz said in the news release. “She has always been invaluable for the club in the goal. Having her world-class talent and leadership on and off the pitch next season, anchoring the team, sets up the Red Stars for an exciting 2025.”
The decade-long journey started when Naeher joined the Red Stars in 2016 via a trade with the Boston Breakers where the goalkeeper spent three seasons.
Naeher has played and started in 136 regular-season matches for the Red Stars and helped lead them to six of their seven consecutive playoff appearances, including an NWSL Championship match and the first NWSL Challenge Cup Final in 2020.
Active since the inaugural 2013 NWSL season, Naeher is the first goalkeeper in league history to reach 150 regular-season appearances, first goalkeeper to win 50 matches with one club, the first goalkeeper to play 15,000 minutes in the NWSL and holds the NWSL record for most saves by a goalkeeper.