Chicago Fire v Nashville SC: Berhalter pledges to make fans proud in new role

Gregg Berhalter has pledged to make the Chicago Fire’s supporters proud ahead of taking the reins for the 2025 season, with Frank Klopas taking to the dugout for the last time against Nashville SC this weekend.

Neither Chicago nor Nashville can make the playoffs on Decision Day, sitting 15th and 13th in the Eastern Conference standings respectively.

Chicago are propping up the table with just 30 points, and they have reacted to their dismal campaign by appointing former United States national team coach Berhalter.

Ahead of assuming a watching brief for the Fire’s final game under interim boss Klopas, he wrote in an open letter to supporters: “As we turn the page to this new chapter, I want to make one thing clear: we are setting our sights on sustained success.

“We will create an identity on and off the field that you will be proud of and ensure that the Fire are competitive year in and year out.

“My vision is simple: Build one of the top clubs in North America. We will focus on building a squad that not only competes at a high level but plays in a way that makes you proud to see them wear our famous red.”

New era, new energy. #cf97 pic.twitter.com/rZRcFE3B2t

— Chicago Fire FC (@ChicagoFire) October 17, 2024

Nashville are also set to enter their first offseason under new boss B.J. Callaghan, but he is confident his team will not take their eye off the ball.

“Preparations for us have gone as normal, how we always prepare for an opponent,” Callaghan said.

“There’s also a stage of an evaluation period, we’re not competing for the playoffs anymore so that’s clear but at the same time it’s still a competitive environment.

“We’re doing nothing short of still trying to go and win the game, that’s the intention, to go to Chicago and get three points.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Chicago Fire – Chris Brady

The four goals Chicago conceded in their defeat at Charlotte FC last time out took them to 59 goals allowed this season, second-most in a single season in club history. The Fire allowed a club-record 61 goals during the 2018 campaign.

If they are to avoid an unwanted piece of history, they may need a big display from goalkeeper Brady.

Nashville SC – Hany Mukhtar

Mukhtar has been involved in six goals in his last six regular-season matches (three goals, three assists). He had recorded just 11 goal contributions in his first 25 league appearances in 2024.

MATCH PREDICTION – CHICAGO FIRE WIN

The Fire enter their final match of the season on 30 points (seven wins, nine draws, 17 losses).

Chicago must earn at least one point to avoid equalling their lowest points tally across a full season (excluding the shortened 2020 season) in club history (30 in 2015).

They should avoid that unwanted slice of club history, though. Nashville have lost 11 of their last 14 regular-season matches, including the last three in a row. They also have a minus-19 goal difference after recording a positive goal difference in their first four MLS seasons.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Chicago Fire – 41.8%

Nashville SC – 31.5%

Draw – 26.7%