When Danish forward Philip Zinckernagel arrived last season, everything was new — for him and the Chicago Fire franchise.
Former USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter took over the program. Zinckernagel was playing in America for the first time.
It didn’t take long for things to come together. Zinckernagel scored 15 goals and added 15 assists to become an MLS All-Star. The Fire reached the playoffs for the first time since 2017, winning their first postseason game since 2009 with a 3-1 victory over Orlando City in the Eastern Conference wild-card match.
The start of this season feels much different.
“I’m just excited to start the second season with the Fire,” Zinckernagel, 31, said. “The team is even stronger. We can achieve much more. I’m just really hungry to get started again.
“There’s so much to do that we haven’t done yet.”
With a two-month break for the FIFA World Cup this summer, he doesn’t have to wait long. The Fire open the season at 7:30 p.m. Saturday against the Dynamo in Houston. The home opener, against CF Montreal, is at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 28 at Soldier Field.
Berhalter, 52, felt the shift in the organization late last season. It’s human nature to stay motivated and hungry after success. Berhalter saw it immediately after the Fire were knocked out of the postseason with a first-round series sweep at the hands of the Philadelphia Union
“It really ignited something in us,” Berhalter said. “We wanted to get back to work as soon as possible. This was the most fit group I’ve ever seen coming in. Progress really motivates us.”
Armed with some fresh, young firepower, the Fire went 3-1-1 at the preseason Coachella Valley Invitational in Indio, Calif.
“Compared to last season at this time, we’re way further ahead,” Zinckernagel said. “There is a common goal and common feeling in the group that we can be so much better. We have the potential to be one of the better teams. We play some good offensive football, attractive football to watch. If we can work on some of the details that make us more complete and help us compete every weekend, it will be exciting.”
There’s no doubt the Fire lit up the scoreboard last season. Behind striker Hugo Cuypers and forwards Jonathan Bamba and Zinckernagel, who all return this season, the Fire scored 68 goals. Only Lionel Messi and MLS champion Inter Miami scored more.
“We think that’s the way to go,” Berhalter said. “That’s an entertaining way to play soccer. We’re asking a number of players to step up.”
While the attacking group is largely the same, the midfield was nearly completely rebuilt. Gone is homegrown product Brian Gutiérrez and his 10 goals. He was transferred to Chivas de Guadalajara of Liga MX after last season.
“When I look at the squad from last year, Brian was the biggest talent loss,” Berhalter said. “We’re not trying to replace him. It’s more of a committee. We have four or five players who can really create action. We have some talent up top that can finish off plays, too.”
Zinckernagel already has created a rapport with Anton Salétros, who joins the Fire from Swedish side AIK. With André Franco out until the summer while he recovers from a torn ACL in his right knee, Salétros’ emergence will be even more important.
“Anton seems like a really great addition to the team,” Zinckernagel said. “He has a lot of the same qualities Franco has, left-footed, he’ll be a big help.”
Pairing Salétros with the right-footed Zinckernagel also will help the Fire in set pieces, of which Berhalter is a big proponent.
“We’ve always been focused on set pieces,” Berhalter said. “We think that’s a good way to get goals. Last year, I think we were the most dangerous team on attacking set pieces.”
The Fire also added some youth in South Africans Puso Dithejane, 21, and Mbekezeli Mbokazi, 20. Mbokazi, in particular, figures to make an immediate impact as a player projected to represent South Africa in the World Cup and start at defender for the Fire.
All of those roster maneuvering signals the next step in Berhalter’s overhaul of the organization.
“The new players we’ve added have made an impact,” Berhalter said. “In general what we wanted to do was make a stronger roster top to bottom. We wanted the guys to fight to get on the field, and that’s definitely happened.”
Zinckernagel has seen the increase in competition level on the roster, and he knows it only can benefit the team.
“Everyone feels hungry,” Zinckernagel said. “It keeps everyone on their toes and ready to give their best. It’s exciting to be in Chicago right now. It shows what direction the club is going.”
Berhalter’s vision when he took over is coming together quickly.
“The foundation has been built,” Berhalter said. “We have a lot of continuity and experience from last year. We’ve added talent. The natural next step is to improve on last season, and that starts Saturday in Houston.
“This is the beginning of something.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune
