Chicago Fire Notebook: Allan Arigoni on Club's Turnaround, Frank Klopas on Fabian Herbers, More

Allan Arigoni has been a bright spot for the Chicago Fire in 2024.

The right back joined in the offseason on loan with an option to purchase from fellow Joe Mansueto-owned club FC Lugano of the Swiss Super League and has quickly made a significant impact in the club, most notably scoring a lovely goal in the Fire’s win over Toronto last weekend.

While his performances have been consistently positive throughout the first half of the MLS season, the Fire’s performances were the opposite. Now Chicago is on a four-match unbeaten run, and Arigoni credits the chemistry in the locker room for getting the team on track in 2024.

“We knew that at the beginning of the season that we were a new team, and that we had to take time to get to know each other,” said Arigoni. “I think now we realize that we are a good team, and we know each other much better, and even what we do in training, the plan that we have is going well during the games.

“I think the thing is that we know each other much better than at the beginning.”

Arigoni came to Chicago with the caveat that he’d already played half the season with Lugano, logging 976 minutes in the Swiss Super League. He’s now less than 250 minutes away from eclipsing his career-high 2,690 minutes he played with Grasshopper in 2022-23. Arigoni understands his body will be facing a new obstacle this season.

“When I came here, I had already played for six months with Lugano. So, I came here, I had maybe two weeks off, but it wasn't enough.

“I came [to Chicago] and we started the season straight away. I'm not saying that I'm struggling right now but I'm feeling that I played a lot of games this season. At this moment, I think it is 41, 42 games. So, I'm trying to schedule my week in another way, maybe working with the staff and doing some exercises a little bit less because after these more than 40 games, my body is feeling that.”

For now, he can relax knowing that he scored a fabulous goal in Toronto that, according to Arigoni, his mother in Switzerland stayed up to watch. That’s a good son right there.

From the rest of my notebook:

Frank Klopas on Team of the Matchday, Fabian Herbers

Frank Klopas was named to Major League Soccer’s Team of the Matchday after his side’s win in Toronto. The Fire’s head coach is grateful for the accolade for the league.

“I'm blessed that I have really good staff with me,” said Klopas. So, for me, I think any time you get recognized like that, for me, I'm very mindful that it's not only me. It's the people that I have around me, and I have a really good staff, and it's a credit to all of us.”

Fabian Herbers was also on the Team of the Matchday after collecting two assists in Toronto. Herbers has frequently worn the captain’s armband for the Fire in 2024 and delivered a top-level performance in Canada when his side needed a positive result. Klopas had plenty of compliments to throw Herbers’ way during his weekly media availability.

“Fabi, he just does all the little things that sometimes go unnoticed but is very valuable to the team. It doesn't go unnoticed with our staff because sometimes you look at guys that get assists and goals, but he does all those little things. His work rate is incredible, and he always finds ways to be positive and help the team.

“And that's the majority with our guys. It's been all about the team. Our focus as a collective group is to try to improve, and we need guys like that -- for Fabi, it would mean nothing to him if the team didn't get a result and win the game. That's the kind of player he is.”

Brian Gutiérrez Receives an Accolade with a Side of Rumor

Chicago’s homegrown attacker found himself as one of Major League Soccer’s Young Players of the Matchday for Matchday 19 & 20 after collecting an assist in the Fire’s 4-1 win in Toronto . MLS writer Charles Boehm noted that Gutiérrez has become a hot topic in Cruz Azul circles, should you be interested in such things.

One thing is for sure and that is Gutiérrez’s level of play has increased during the Fire’s four-match unbeaten streak, and Chicago needs to do everything in its power to keep it that way going forward. I’d be shocked to see Gutiérrez moved before the winter unless the Fire’s season truly unravels, if that’s even what Chicago wants to do.

Fire II Dominate in Huntsville

The Fire’s MLS Next Pro side went down to Alabama on Sunday and collected the 4-0 win at Joe Davis Stadium.

David Poreba scored twice, increasing his goal total to a league-leading nine in 2024, while also clearing a shot off the goal line in the first half. Christian Koffi scored his first Fire II goal and Harold Osorio scored from the penalty spot in his return from injury.

Fire II are now tied for third in their conference on points and have won three of their last four in regulation while winning the other in PKs. They’re a force to be reckoned with in MLS Next Pro.

Xherdan Shaqiri

Xherdan Shaqiri was an unused substitute in Switzerland’s 3-1 win over Hungary in their EURO2024 Group A opener but got the start against Scotland in Köln. Shaqiri intercepted a terrible back pass from Celtic’s Anthony Ralston and hit a banger of a goal with his first touch to tie the match at one in the 26th minute. He was taken off after only 58 minutes but Switzerland was able to hold on for a share of the points and the 1-1 draw.

What’s On Tap Next?

The Fire will be in Florida to take on Orlando City on Saturday, June 22. 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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