The Chicago Fire team that takes the field today against Minnesota United for the club’s first official preseason match of 2022 will probably look a lot different than the one that faces Inter Miami on MLS opening day next month.
First off, the Fire are sitting on two open Designated Player spots (a full DP and a young DP), and, right now, it’s unclear if the club is even close to landing those players.
Secondly, there are some key players who won’t be with the team today. Star goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina is away on United States Men’s National Team duty, and new centerback Rafael Czichos is stuck in Germany sorting out visa issues, but is expected to be in Orlando with the team in the coming days.