Chicago Fire Notebook: Xherdan Shaqiri on Georg Heitz, Hugo Cuypers on #MM, More

Xherdan Shaqiri left the Chicago Fire early to join the Swiss National Team for the friendlies ahead of EURO 2024.

The Fire subsequently went unbeaten in the three matches after Shaqiri left, and Chicago’s club-record signing Hugo Cuypers has finally started to live up to expectations.

The Fire’s previous club-record acquisition spoke to the media ahead of the EURO’s and made it abundantly clear that he’s not thrilled with how his stint in Chicago has gone. He also didn’t make it seem like he wanted to remain in Chicago for any longer than he has to as his contract runs out at the end of the Major League Soccer season.

Shaqiri directly called out Chicago’s Sporting Director Georg Heitz’s decision-making during his national team media availability only a few weeks after Heitz described Shaqiri’s tenure, in Italian, with the Fire as not “exactly” a success. Heitz noted the difficulty that came with operating under the salary cap in MLS after Shaqiri signed.

Regardless, it doesn't look like Xherdan Shaqiri will be coming back to the Chicago Fire anytime soon. He left early for the EURO’s and everything on the pitch has improved for the Fire since then.

This summer seems like the perfect time for all parties to move on.

From the rest of my notebook:

Cuypers on #MM

The Fire’s club-record signing has finally hit his stride.

Hugo Cuypers has contributed to a goal in each of the Fire’s last three matches and it’s no coincidence that they didn’t lose any of those contests. You may have noticed that Cuypers has ended each of his recent social media posts with “#MM,” which he says means “Mastery Mindset.” Naturally, a follow-up question about handling frustration was required. Here’s what Chicago’s No. 9 had to say:

“I always have the right mindset in doing things and just doing the best I can, but then I got a little bit deeper into it reading some stuff, speaking to people with more experiences, some coaches, and I formed my own identity into it, I would say,” said Cuypers. “It's coping with challenges in struggles professionally and accepting them and accepting every challenge that comes your way and trying just to do your best to overcome them and be as successful as you can be and be the best version of yourself.”

Fire fans should be thrilled he’s found a way to help curb his frustrations after an incredibly slow start to the MLS season.

Klopas on Toronto

The Fire head to Toronto needing at least a point on the road against a side they want to be fighting over a playoff spot with at the season’s end. Toronto will be without midfielder Federico Bernardeschi and center back Nickseon Gomis after the two were sent off in the club’s last match before the international break.

Their absences won’t make it a walk in the park for the Fire, according to head coach Frank Klopas.

“It's a team that's very organized, a team that's committed -- obviously new leadership and I think new energy also for them,” said Klopas during his weekly media availability. “I think all the players are committed.

“Again, they brought some really good players in, and it's a team that's going to come, obviously, playing at home with energy, the way they press, they're organized. I see a team that's committed, and it's going to be a really difficult match. We have to be at our best. We have to be ready from the start of the game to play a team that is going to bring energy. In moments they're going to press. They're going to work hard. They have no problems stepping up in moments in 1-v-1 situations. They don't mind playing really high up and making it difficult for teams.

“I see a team that's organized and not easy to break down. We have to be at our best, and we have to understand and expect a fast start in the match and be ready.”

The Fire are unbeaten in their last three against Toronto. They’ll need to play a clean game in order to extend that streak.

International Break Roundup

Xherdan Shaqiri (Switzerland)

Shaqiri started and scored a PK in Switzerland’s 4-0 win over Estonia on June 4 before coming on as a sub in the second half of Switzerland’s 1-1 draw on June 8 against Austria.

Sergio Oregel (USMNT U-19)

Oregel started the USYNT’s 1-0 win over Uruguay after not appearing on the team sheet in their win over Argentina.

Omari Glasgow (Guyana)

Glasgow and Guyana were fighting for a spot in the 2026 World Cup and had two crucial matches during the window. Guyana lost 2-0 to Panama in its first CONCACAF World Cup Qualification 2nd Round Group D match and Glasgow played the entire contest. Guyana defeated Belize 3-1 on June 11 and Glasgow assisted Deon Moore’s 66th-minute goal that got the scoring going.

David Tchetchao (Benin)

Tchetchao was an unused sub in both of Benin’s CAF World Cup Group C Qualifiers in Ivory Coast. Still, he left the international break with his side tied on points atop their qualifying group after two wins. Benin defeated Rwanda 1-0 on June 6 before upsetting Nigeria 2-1 for their first win over the Super Eagles in years.

What’s On Tap Next?

The Fire are in Canada to face off against Toronto FC on Saturday. The match is scheduled to kick off at 6:30 PM CT and will air on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+.

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