Photo: Troy Wayrynen/USA TODAY Sports
2023 Chicago Fire in Review: Rafael Czichos
Rafael Czichos rode the wave that was the Chicago Fire’s 2023 season, wearing the captain’s armband for the club during another season in which it failed to make the MLS Playoffs.
It’s never easy to keep a locker room motivated during a season that had the volume of peaks and troughs as the Fire had, particularly with an in-season change at manager. Czichos helped keep his squad motivated throughout, earning a berth in the U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinals and emerging from the group stage in the inaugural Leagues Cup tournament. It’s not a lot, but that’s a much better season than Czichos had with the Fire in 2022.
Czichos made 32 MLS appearances (his most league appearances since winning 2. Bundesliga during the 2018-19 season with FC Köln), and scored twice while logging over 2,500 minutes for the Fire. There’s a world in which Czichos scores four or five goals given the seven on-target efforts he had in 2023, but that reality would have also seen the Fire in the playoffs, so we can disregard my mental meanderings.
The on-field highlight of the season for the captain was when Czichos came off the bench to score the match-winning goal in the Fire’s 1-0 win over St. Louis on May 13. That goal gave his side the season double over the MLS newcomers and gave everyone in Chicago something to hold over St. Louis during the winter months while securing Frank Klopas’ first league win while in charge of the club in 2023.
The non-soccer highlight for Czichos had to be when he was joined on the pre-match walkout by his son Ben before the Fire’s 2-1 win over Minnesota United in April. Czichos said that the moment nearly caused him to cry while on the pitch when asked about it a few days later. It’s moments like that that remind us all that it’s always about more than sport.
Czichos remains under contract for the 2024 MLS season. I certainly expect both the Fire and their current captain to look for an extension once the club’s coaching search concludes. Czichos has repeatedly spoken about how he and his family enjoy living in Chicago and the Fire could use his veteran presence, likely at a lower salary after ‘24, in the locker room going forward no matter who is in charge.
What’s On Tap Next?
The Chicago Fire are amidst a crucial offseason that should bring about a flurry of activity. In the meantime, stay tuned here at On Tap Sports Net for more 2023 player reviews on the Red Stars and Fire!
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