2016 Chicago Fire season


The 2016 Chicago Fire season was the club's 18th year of existence, as well as their 19th season in Major League Soccer and their 19th consecutive year in the top-flight of American soccer.
On November 24, 2015 Veljko Paunović, coach of the 2015 World Cup champions Serbia U-20 team, was announced as the Chicago Fire's new head coach.
Chicago Fire began the regular season on March 6, 2016, with a home match against New York City FC. The Men in Red finished the regular season on October 23, 2016, with an away match against Toronto FC. The club has missed the playoffs for the sixth time in the past seven years.
The loss on the road to Vancouver Whitecaps on May 11, 2016, was the Fire's 28th straight match without a road win. This surpassed the New York Red Bulls for the longest road winless streak in MLS history. With the away loss to Real Salt Lake on August 6, 2016, the streak extended to 36 matches. The two-years and 28 days long streak finally ended when the Fire defeated Montreal Impact, 3–0, on the road on August 20, 2016. It was the first victory away from home since the Fire beat the New England Revolution, 1–0, in Foxborough, MA on July 12, 2014.
Chicago Fire became the first team in MLS history to finish last in the overall table two years in a row.

Squad at the end of the season

As of October 23, 2016. Source:

Player movement

In

Per Major League Soccer and club policies terms of the deals do not get disclosed.
DatePlayerPositionPrevious clubNotesRef
November 30, 2015

Out

Loans

''Per Major League Soccer and club policies terms of the deals do not get disclosed.''

Match results

Preseason

Kickoff times are in CST
Simple Invitational
Team
1

Major League Soccer

Kickoff times are in CDT, unless posted otherwise

U.S. Open Cup

The Chicago Fire entered the 2016 U.S. Open Cup with the rest of Major League Soccer in the fourth round.
Kickoff times are in CDT

Stats

Leading scorers

RankScorerGoalsAssists
1

Goalkeeper stats

Source:

National team participation

Four Fire players have been called up to play for their senior national teams during this season.
PlayersTeamCompetitionOpponentDateGoalsMinutesRef
Brandon VincentFriendlyFebruary 5, 2016045'
Matt PolsterFriendlyFebruary 5, 20160unused sub
David Accam2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualificationMarch 24, 201600'
David Accam2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualificationMarch 27, 201600'
David ArshakyanFriendlyAugust 31, 20160unused sub
David Accam2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualificationSeptember 3, 20160Earned a start
David Arshakyan2018 FIFA World Cup qualificationSeptember 4, 2016070'
David AccamFriendlySeptember 6, 2016012'

Recognition

MLS 24 under 24

Chicago Fire midfielder Matt Polster was selected to Major League Soccer's "24 under 24" list, an annual ranking of the top players in the league under the age of 24.

Team annual awards

Forward/midfielder David Accam was named the team's Most Valuable Player and Golden Boot winner for the second year in a row in both categories. In 24 league matches Accam scored nine goals and had five assists. Accam also had team-high 14 goals across all competitions of the season.
In his first year with the club Johan Kappelhof was named the Defensive Player of the Year. Tied with Jonathan Campbell for a team-high 33 league appearances, Kappelhof made 85 clearances, 17 blocks and 113 interceptions during his first MLS campaign.
Goalkeeper Sean Johnson was chosen Section 8 Chicago Supporters' Player of the Year.

Kits

TypeShirtShortsSocksFirst appearance / Info
HomeRedRedRed
AwayWhiteWhiteWhite

Primary kit

The new primary kit for 2016 season was officially unveiled on January 25, 2016. The jersey features an all-red design with the return of the iconic white bar across the chest. The Chicago city flag embossed on the lower front for the jersey's jock tag.

Secondary kit

According to the league's bi-annual rotation of kits the secondary kit carried over from the previous season.
It was originally unveiled on March 2, 2015. The design and details were inspired by the City of Chicago flag.

Draft pick trades

Picks acquired:
Picks traded: