What Is 2019 Chicago Fire Soccer Club season

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2019 Chicago Fire Soccer Club season was the team's 23rd in Major League Soccer, finishing 11th in the Eastern Conference with a 12–15–7 record. They failed to qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs for the ninth time in ten seasons.

Key Facts

Finished 11th in the Eastern Conference with 43 points
Record of 12 wins, 15 losses, and 7 draws across 34 matches
Played home games at SeatGeek Stadium after returning from Toyota Park
Head coach Veljko Paunović led the team for the fifth consecutive season
Failed to advance past the group stage in the 2019 U.S. Open Cup

Overview

The 2019 season marked the Chicago Fire's 23rd year in Major League Soccer, continuing their struggle to achieve consistent playoff success. Under head coach Veljko Paunović, the team aimed to rebuild after missing the playoffs in 2018 and undergoing significant roster changes.

Returning to SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois—renamed from Toyota Park—the Fire hoped a homecoming would spark improved performance. Despite high expectations following the acquisition of designated players, the team underperformed and failed to reach the MLS Cup Playoffs.

Regular season record: The Fire finished with a 12–15–7 record, accumulating 43 points from 34 matches, placing them 11th in the 14-team Eastern Conference.
Home stadium: After playing at Soldier Field in 2018, the team returned to SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, marking a symbolic shift back to their traditional home ground.
Managerial leadership:Veljko Paunović remained head coach for his fifth consecutive season, overseeing both tactical development and squad integration.
Designated players: The club signed Bruno Alves and Ignacio Alvarado as key additions, though both struggled with injuries and adaptation.
U.S. Open Cup: The Fire were eliminated in the group stage, failing to advance despite fielding a competitive squad in early rounds.

Performance & Results

The season was defined by inconsistency, with strong performances offset by defensive lapses and missed opportunities. Key metrics reveal both progress in attack and regression in defensive stability.

Goals scored: The team netted 48 goals in the regular season, their highest total since 2012, led by Nemanja Nikolić’s 11 goals.
Goals conceded: Chicago allowed 57 goals, the second-worst defensive record in the Eastern Conference, undermining their offensive efforts.
Home vs. away record: They earned 25 of 43 points at home, showing stronger form in Bridgeview than on the road.
Longest unbeaten run: The Fire achieved a season-best 4-match unbeaten streak from May to June, including wins over New York Red Bulls and FC Cincinnati.
Discipline issues: Chicago accumulated 58 yellow cards and 4 red cards, reflecting ongoing struggles with composure under pressure.
Attendance: Average home attendance was 15,568, a modest increase from 2018, indicating renewed fan interest after the stadium return.

Comparison at a Glance

How the 2019 Chicago Fire compared to recent seasons in key performance categories:

Season	Record (W-L-D)	Points	Goals Scored	Playoff Result
2019	12–15–7	43	48	Did not qualify
2018	16–13–5	53	58	Did not qualify
2017	9–19–6	33	40	Did not qualify
2016	14–15–5	47	54	Did not qualify
2015	12–15–7	43	42	Did not qualify

The 2019 campaign mirrored the club’s mid-table finishes of the past decade. While goal output improved slightly, defensive fragility and inconsistency prevented playoff qualification, continuing a decade-long drought. The return to SeatGeek Stadium brought hope, but on-field results did not match the optimism.

Why It Matters

The 2019 season was a pivotal moment in the Fire’s ongoing rebuild, highlighting both progress and persistent challenges. As the club sought to reestablish relevance in a growing MLS market, performance gaps became increasingly evident.

Rebuilding efforts: The season underscored the difficulty of transitioning from a rebuilding phase to consistent competitiveness in MLS.
Designated player impact: High-profile signings like Bruno Alves failed to deliver expected returns, raising questions about recruitment strategy.
Youth development: The Fire continued to invest in their academy, with several prospects making appearances, signaling long-term planning.
Market competition: With expansion teams like FC Cincinnati entering the league, Chicago faced growing pressure to strengthen brand visibility.
Coaching stability: Paunović’s extended tenure reflected organizational patience, but mounting pressure followed another non-playoff season.
Stadium economics: Returning to SeatGeek Stadium aimed to improve revenue and fan engagement, though attendance remained below capacity.

Ultimately, the 2019 season reinforced the need for structural changes within the club’s sporting leadership and player development systems, setting the stage for future overhauls.