After back to back last-place finishes, 2018 was an emphatic comeback season for the Chicago Fire. Boosted by several key additions, second-year head coach Veljko Paunovic led the Fire to third place in the Eastern Conference.
Although the Fire were swiftly bounced from the playoffs in a 4-0 knockout-round defeat to the New York Red Bulls, there were plenty of positives to be taken from 2017.
Newcomer Nemanja Nikolic scored 24 times to clinch the MLS Golden Boot, Dax McCarty provided a stabilizing veteran presence in the midfield and Bastian Schweinsteiger, when healthy, provided star power and added plenty of class on the ball.