Andrew Gutman’s highly anticipated home debut for the Chicago Fire nearly came to a disappointing end just minutes after it began. The starting left back suffered a hamstring injury in Philadelphia that kept him sidelined until last weekend’s 4-0 loss to Real Salt Lake, where he remained an unused substitute. However, Gutman’s enthusiasm for finally taking the field in front of his home crowd remains undeterred.
“It’s going to be a moment that I’ll remember for the rest of my life,” said Gutman. “I remember going to Fire games growing up and always wanting to put on that red jersey, and I haven’t been able to do it yet. Hopefully this weekend will be my first time, and hopefully it’s the start of a long and successful Fire career for me.”
Gutman is eager to embrace the significant role that head coach Frank Klopas has envisioned for him in the team’s attack. Now 27, Gutman is ready to step up and become a key contributor for the club.
“I want to take the next step to be a key part of this team. Thankfully they brought me in with the belief that I’m able to do that.”
“So now it’s just about showing my qualities that I was able to show during preseason and kind of just start — I guess this is kind of my first game playing, so start the season well for me and start off strong and ride through the whole season and help us have a successful season.”
Gutman made 43 MLS appearances for Atlanta United from 2022 to 2023 before being traded to Colorado last summer. His reunion with his former team will be a welcome one, especially if the Fire can secure a positive result.
“Yeah, it’s always nice seeing old friends and old teammates. I had a lot of great relationships with that club. Personally I had a lot of success at that club as well, but it’s always nice to go against your former team. Hopefully we can come out of there with three points.”
“I know they have a fantastic team and a bunch of fantastic players, but we also have great quality, and we’re playing at home. Any time you’re at home, you always want to push the game, you want to push the tempo, you want to be more energetic. So Saturday that’s kind of all I’m focused on is just playing at home and kind of taking it to them.”
Meanwhile, head coach Frank Klopas remains optimistic despite the team’s disappointing performance last week.
“Yeah, but that’s one game. We had four points going into that match, so you have to look at that,” said Klopas.
Klopas emphasizes the importance of consistency and limiting individual mistakes to improve the team’s defensive performance.
“I thought that game early on, if you look at the game again, really look at it, in the first 25 minutes we have really two big chances to get on track and score the first goal. So, we had two to three really good chances. Two in transition. Once we picked the ball in front as they tried to play out of the back.”
“Then the goals we gave up. I just think we need to be better in moments like that. We have 11 guys even on the first goal behind the ball, and we give up a goal. I think the second and third goal put it out.”
“So, I think just the consistency and the mentality really, I think, as a group. It’s not just one or two players. As a group in moments like that just to make it really hard without the ball for teams to break us down and stay more compact and then grind out results. When we get the chances, we have to put the chances away because I think that also gives a team confidence.”
The Fire will be without Gastón Giménez and Federico Navarro for the next few weeks due to injuries, but Klopas is hopeful that Brian Gutiérrez and Xherdan Shaqiri will be available against Atlanta.
The team is also closely monitoring the stadium landscape in Chicago, with the potential for a new home ground on the horizon.
“The Fire love playing at the historic Soldier Field and are committed to playing in Chicagoland for decades to come. However, while we have no imminent plans, the Club is paying close attention to the rapidly evolving stadium landscape here in Chicago. It’s obviously no secret the impact a new venue can have for a team, so we’re keeping an open mind about all available options.”
The Chicago Fire will host Atlanta United on Saturday at Soldier Field. The match is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 PM CT and will air on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+.
