The Managers
Chicago Fire - Gregg Berhalter
Gregg Berhalter was appointed as the Chicago Fire’s head coach and Director of Football Operations in October 2024. He brings a wealth of experience to the club.
Berhalter’s coaching career started in 2011 with Swedish club Hammarby IF. He later led Columbus Crew from 2013 to 2018, guiding them to four playoff appearances and an MLS Cup final in 2015. In 2018, he took charge of the U.S. Men’s National team (USMNT), securing titles in the CONCACAF Nations League and Gold Cup, and steering the team to the Round of 16 in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. However, his tenure concluded in July 2024 following an early exit in the Copa América.
Berhalter is known for implementing a possession-based, attacking style of play, often utilizing a 4-3-3 formation, though in week one it was more a 4-2-3-1. He emphasizes technical proficiency, resilience, and a strong work ethic in his players. At the Chicago Fire, he has expressed a preference for technical players who are resilient and committed to a robust physical effort. His teams are characterized by building from the back, maintaining ball control, and applying high pressure to regain possession. This tactical approach is expected to be mirrored in the Fire’s play under his leadership.
Taking over a team that has finished near the bottom of the Eastern Conference for the last five years, Berhalter faces the challenge of revitalizing the Fire’s performance. His appointment reflects the club’s ambition to transform its fortunes, with owner Joe Mansueto highlighting Berhalter’s extensive experience and vision as pivotal for the team’s future success. Berhalter’s strategic acumen and commitment to a dynamic playing style offer optimism for the Fire’s resurgence in the upcoming MLS season.
D.C. United - Troy Lesesne
D.C. United’s head coach Troy Lesesne, is a player-first manager, known for fostering a positive team culture and emphasizing player development. His holistic approach has been instrumental in revitalizing D.C. United’s culture, and begun building a new foundation for the club.
He is recognized for his dynamic and pragmatic coaching style. Much of his tactical approach in 2024 emphasized a high-intensity, high-pressing system, aiming to disrupt opponents’ play and regain possession swiftly. This strategy involved pressing high-up the field, particularly when opponents made backward or sideways passes, to prevent them from establishing a passing rhythm. Offensively, Lesesne has advocated for efficient attacking, focusing on creating high-quality chances rather than a high quantity of attempts. His teams have been known for their direct play, often utilizing a 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 formation, with fluidity to adapt during matches. A key aspect of his offensive strategy is leveraging a target forward, such as Christian Benteke, to hold up play and facilitate quick transitions.
Lesesne’s approach in week one versus Toronto FC was to control the ball more, play out of the back. It will be interesting to see how much the Black & Red use this strategy in Chicago.
Preview: Chicago Fire vs. D.C. United
Two teams looking to claw their way up the MLS standings meet at Soldier Field as the Chicago Fire host D.C. United in a matchup between clubs in rebuilding mode.
The Fire enter the match with a new leader on the sidelines—former USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter—tasked with reshaping a team that has struggled for consistency. His tenure got off to a rocky start with a 4-2 loss to the Columbus Crew, exposing defensive vulnerabilities that Chicago must address quickly.
On the other side, D.C. United, under second-year head coach Troy Lesesne, is still searching for a spark. Their last outing saw them settle for a frustrating 2-2 draw against Toronto FC, a match where they let a lead slip away. With an attack that has shown promise but a defense that remains suspect, Lesesne’s squad needs a statement performance to build momentum.
Both teams will see this game as an opportunity to set a new tone for their seasons. Can Berhalter secure his first win as Chicago’s boss, or will D.C. United take advantage of a vulnerable Fire defense? Expect an intense battle as these clubs fight to escape the lower ranks of the standings.
Keys to the Match
As D.C. United prepares to face the Chicago Fire on March 1, 2025, several key questions arise regarding their strategy and player roles:
Can Gabriel Pirani play the 10 for D.C.? Gabriel Pirani has shown flashes of talent over his time with the Black & Red, but he has not been able to demonstrate consistency as an attacking midfielder, notably advancing the ball via his dribbling and passing.In week one, Pirani was unable to initiate the attack, or keep an offensive rhythm.
Does D.C. United continue to play out of the back? In his first season, head coach Troy Lesesne, emphasized a high-energy pressing system with a high defensive line. His approach often involves playing direct, vertical passes rather than building from the back, aiming to capitalize on quick transitions and catch opponents off-guard. Yet in the first week, Lesesne had the Black & Red play out from the back, emphasizing ball retention and patient buildup. Lesesne had his defenders actively involved in initiating attacks with passes and measured control. This strategy focused on possession-based football, seeking to dominate play, and create more attacking opportunities. However turnovers caused by tentative passing and unfamiliarity with teammates showed this is going to be a process.
Does Lesesne continue to hold Aaron Herrera back on defense? Aaron Herrera was selected to last year’s MLS All Star game because of the balance he brings to the right fullback position. He’s both a threat on offense and one of the best defensive players in the league, yet in week one, head coach Lesesne seemed to prefer that Herrera adopt a more reserved defensive role to provide stability against counter-attacks, ensuring the team isn’t left vulnerable when pushing forward. This seems a waste of Herrera’s talents, so it will be interesting to see if this happens again.
Can D.C. United’s midfield control the game? D.C. United’s rebuilt midfield has the ability to dominate possession, which is vital for D.C. United’s success in their new strategy. Newly acquired Hosei Kijima especially has shown the ability to dominate with the ball at his feet, but so has last summer’s acquisition Boris Enow and newly acquired Brandon Servania. Their ability to control the midfield is imperative for Black & Red success.
How does D.C. United get Christian Benteke the ball? Christian Benteke, the 2024 MLS Golden Boot winner with 23 goals, thrives on precise service, especially aerial deliveries. D.C. United’s strategy involves utilizing wingers and attacking midfielders to deliver crosses into the box, allowing Benteke to leverage his aerial prowess. For instance, in their last match against Toronto FC, a well-placed cross from Jacob Murrell enabled Benteke to score with a header.
Addressing these questions will be pivotal for D.C. United as they aim to secure a positive result against the Chicago Fire.
Prediction: 2 - 2 Draw
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