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Fire, Nashville SC wrap 2024 season, hope for better days ahead
Major League Soccer’s 2024 season draws to a close for Nashville SC and the Chicago Fire, two teams that fell short of expectations and missed the playoffs. With MLS Decision Day upon them, Saturday’s match serves less as a postseason push and more as a final chance to avoid finishing at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.
Soccer Picks, Predictions, & PreviewsSeason Recap: Nashville and Chicago’s Struggles
Both clubs endured a disappointing season in 2024. Nashville SC (8-16-9, 33 points) occupies 13th place, while the Chicago Fire (7-17-9, 30 points) languish in last place in the 15-team conference. While the match won’t change their playoff fortunes, it offers both sides a chance to close the season on a positive note.
A victory for the Fire could see them climb past New England (31 points) and potentially tie with Nashville to avoid the Eastern Conference’s wooden spoon. It’s a slim silver lining for two teams that were eliminated from playoff contention weeks ago.
New Beginnings for Chicago: The Berhalter Era
Chicago Fire’s final match marks the beginning of a new era, as Gregg Berhalter, the former U.S. Men’s National Team coach, prepares to take over as the club’s head coach and director of football. Berhalter will officially assume the role after the game, looking to transform a club that hasn’t reached the playoffs since 2017.
In his introductory press conference on Thursday, Berhalter expressed optimism, referring to the Fire as a “sleeping giant” and emphasizing the potential for revival in one of MLS’s most historic markets.
“We’re going to give everything we have to return this team to the top of Major League Soccer,” Berhalter said. “Chicago is about community, it’s also about sports, and that’s what’s exciting.”
Frank Klopas, who will coach the Fire for the last time on Saturday, will transition into a new role as the club’s vice president of football. Despite the coaching change, Klopas remains focused on finishing strong after a turbulent season. In their last outing, Chicago fell in a 4-3 thriller against Charlotte FC, with goals from Fabian Herbers, Kellyn Acosta, and Tom Barlow.
Nashville SC: Missing Playoffs for the First Time
For Nashville SC, the 2024 season marks the first time the team has failed to reach the playoffs since its inaugural MLS campaign in 2020. Coach B.J. Callaghan is using the final game as an opportunity to evaluate his squad for the future. While Nashville is already planning for 2025, Callaghan insists that the competitive spirit remains high as players vie for spots on next year’s roster.
“Preparations for us are normal,” Callaghan said. “It’s an opportunity for players to compete for positions and an evaluation period. We’re doing nothing short of still trying to win the game at Chicago.”
Mukhtar’s Pursuit of MLS History
One of the bright spots for Nashville this season has been Hany Mukhtar, the 2022 MLS MVP. Mukhtar is on the brink of history, needing just two more goals to become the first player in league history to achieve 10+ goals and 10+ assists in four consecutive seasons. His consistency has been a rare highlight in an otherwise challenging year for Nashville.
Head-to-Head Record: Nashville Dominance
In their previous encounters, Nashville SC has had the upper hand against the Fire. The teams last met on September 18, 2024, where Nashville secured a 1-0 win thanks to a 19th-minute goal by Sam Surridge. Nashville leads the all-time series with a record of 3-1-2, and they’ll aim to keep that advantage intact when they face off again this weekend.
Looking Ahead: Optimism Despite a Tough Year
Despite a rough season for both clubs, the future offers hope. For Nashville, the focus is on rebuilding and ensuring they return to playoff contention in 2025. The coaching staff is keen to identify areas for improvement and build a more competitive squad.
For Chicago, the arrival of Gregg Berhalter signals a significant shift in strategy and leadership. Berhalter’s pedigree, having led the U.S. Men’s National Team to a Concacaf Nations League title and a successful World Cup 2022 run, brings a sense of excitement to the Fire faithful. His vision of building a competitive team in Chicago, along with the leadership of Frank Klopas in his new role, sets the stage for a hopeful 2025 season.
“This club has immense potential, and we’re ready to unlock it,” Berhalter emphasized. “Our goal is to bring Chicago Fire back to the forefront of Major League Soccer.”
Conclusion
While 2024 has been a season of disappointment for Nashville SC and the Chicago Fire, both clubs will look to end on a high note as they battle to avoid the Eastern Conference cellar. With a new coach at the helm in Chicago and Nashville evaluating its roster for the future, both teams aim for better days ahead.
As the curtain falls on their seasons, eyes turn to 2025, where fresh leadership, improved tactics, and a renewed sense of purpose will define the campaigns to come.
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