# 2016 Chicago Fire season

The 2016 Chicago Fire season was the club's 18th year of existence, as well as their 19th season in Major League Soccer and their 19th consecutive year in the top-flight of American soccer.
On November 24, 2015 Veljko Paunović, coach of the 2015 World Cup champions Serbia U-20 team, was announced as the Chicago Fire's new head coach.
Chicago Fire began the regular season on March 6, 2016, with a home match against New York City FC. The Men in Red finished the regular season on October 23, 2016, with an away match against Toronto FC. The club has missed the playoffs for the sixth time in the past seven years.
The loss on the road to Vancouver Whitecaps on May 11, 2016, was the Fire's 28th straight match (19L, 9T) without a road win. This surpassed the New York Red Bulls for the longest road winless streak in MLS history. With the away loss to Real Salt Lake on August 6, 2016, the streak extended to 36 matches (27L, 9T). The two-years and 28 days long streak finally ended when the Fire defeated Montreal Impact, 3–0, on the road on August 20, 2016. It was the first victory away from home since the Fire beat the New England Revolution, 1–0, in Foxborough, MA on July 12, 2014.
Chicago Fire became the first team in MLS history to finish last in the overall table two years in a row.

## Squad at the end of the season

As of October 23, 2016. Source: Chicago Fire official roster
| No. | Name | Position | Date of Birth (Aged) | Previous Club |
| Goalkeepers ||||||
| 23 | Patrick McLain | GK | (1988-08-22)August 22, 1988 (aged 28) | Sacramento Republic FC |
| 25 | Sean Johnson | GK | (1989-05-31)May 31, 1989 (aged 27) | Atlanta Blackhawks |
| 28 | Matt Lampson | GK | (1989-09-06)September 6, 1989 (aged 27) | Columbus Crew |
| Defenders ||||||
| 3 | Brandon Vincent | D | (1994-05-01)May 1, 1994 (aged 22) | Stanford Cardinal |
| 4 | Johan Kappelhof | D | (1990-08-05)August 5, 1990 (aged 26) | FC Groningen |
| 5 | Michael Harrington | D | (1986-01-24)January 24, 1986 (aged 30) | Colorado Rapids |
| 6 | Eric Gehrig | D | (1987-12-15)December 15, 1987 (aged 28) | Columbus Crew SC |
| 13 | Rodrigo Ramos | D | (1995-05-24)May 24, 1995 (aged 21) | Coritiba |
| 16 | Jonathan Campbell | D | (1993-06-27)June 27, 1993 (aged 23) | North Carolina Tar Heels |
| 22 | Patrick Doody | D | (1992-04-22)April 22, 1992 (aged 24) | Indiana Hoosiers |
| 66 | João Meira | D/M | (1987-04-30)April 30, 1987 (aged 29) | Belenenses |
| Midfielders ||||||
| 2 | Matt Polster | M | (1993-06-08)June 8, 1993 (aged 23) | SIU Edwardsville Cougars |
| 7 | John Goossens | M | (1988-07-25)July 25, 1988 (aged 28) | FC Voluntari |
| 12 | Arturo Álvarez | M | (1985-06-28)June 28, 1985 (aged 31) | Videoton FC |
| 15 | Joey Calistri | M | (1993-11-20)November 20, 1993 (aged 22) | Northwestern Wildcats |
| 17 | Collin Fernandez | M | (1997-02-13)February 13, 1997 (aged 19) | Chicago Fire Juniors |
| 18 | Drew Conner | M | (1994-02-18)February 18, 1994 (aged 22) | Wisconsin Badgers |
| 19 | Khaly Thiam | M | (1994-01-07)January 7, 1994 (aged 22) | MTK Budapest |
| 21 | Nick LaBrocca | M | (1984-12-04)December 4, 1984 (aged 31) | Colorado Rapids |
| 26 | Michael Stephens | M | (1989-04-03)April 3, 1989 (aged 27) | Stabæk |
| 29 | Alex Morrell | M | (1994-05-11)May 11, 1994 (aged 22) | North Florida Ospreys |
| 30 | Răzvan Cociș | M | (1983-02-19)February 19, 1983 (aged 33) | FC Hoverla Uzhhorod |
| Forwards ||||||
| 8 | Michael de Leeuw | F | (1986-10-07)October 7, 1986 (aged 30) | FC Groningen |
| 9 | Luis Solignac | F | (1991-02-16)February 16, 1991 (aged 25) | Colorado Rapids |
| 10 | David Arshakyan | F | (1994-08-16)August 16, 1994 (aged 22) | FK Trakai |
| 11 | David Accam | F/M | (1990-09-28)September 28, 1990 (aged 26) | Helsingborgs IF |

## Player movement
### In

Per Major League Soccer and club policies terms of the deals do not get disclosed.
| Date | Player | Position | Previous Club | Notes |
| November 30, 2015 | Matt Polster | M | Chicago Fire | Exercised option |
| November 30, 2015 | Patrick Doody | D | Chicago Fire | Exercised option |
| December 17, 2015 | Joey Calistri | F | Chicago Fire Academy | Signed as a Homegrown Player |
| December 17, 2015 | Drew Conner | M | Chicago Fire Academy | Signed as a Homegrown Player |
| January 14, 2016 | Brandon Vincent | D | Stanford University | Drafted 4th overall (first round) in 2016 MLS SuperDraft, already signed contract with MLS |
| January 14, 2016 | Jonathan Campbell | D | University of North Carolina | Drafted 12th overall (first round) in 2016 MLS SuperDraft, already signed contract with MLS |
| January 18, 2016 | Michael Harrington | D | Colorado Rapids | Signed as a free agent |
| January 18, 2016 | Patrick McLain | GK | Sacramento Republic FC | Signed as a free agent |
| January 23, 2016 | Răzvan Cociș | M | Chicago Fire | Re-signed with the club, after initially having his contract option declined; signed one-year deal with one year club option |
| January 23, 2016 | João Meira | D | Belenenses | Signed as a free agent, one-year deal with one year club option |
| January 27, 2016 | Nick LaBrocca | M | Colorado Rapids | Signed as a free agent, one-year deal with one year club option |
| February 2, 2016 | Johan Kappelhof | D | FC Groningen | Signed as a discovery signing using targeted allocation money |
| February 26, 2016 | Matt Lampson | GK | Columbus Crew | Signed as a free agent after trial, one-year deal with one year club option |
| February 29, 2016 | John Goossens | M | FC Voluntari | Signed after a trial, two-year deal with one year club option |
| March 3, 2016 | Arturo Álvarez | M | Videoton FC | Signed after a trial, one-year deal with one year club option |
| March 11, 2016 | Alex Morrell | M | North Florida Ospreys | Signed to a one-year deal with three-year club option, after being selected 22nd overall (second round) in 2016 MLS SuperDraft |
| May 17, 2016 | Michael de Leeuw | F | FC Groningen | Signed as a discovery signing using targeted allocation money for a three-year deal through 2018 with a club option for 2019 |
| August 3, 2016 | David Arshakyan | F | FK Trakai | Signed as a Special Discovery Player, two-year deal with options for the third and fourth years |
| August 3, 2016 | Luis Solignac | F | Colorado Rapids | Acquired in exchange for General Allocation Money |

### Out

| Date | Player | Position | Destination Club | Notes |
| November 30, 2015 | Adaílton | D | Miami FC | 2016 contract option was declined, signed with Miami FC as a free agent on February 9 |
| November 30, 2015 | Jon Busch | GK | Indy Eleven | 2016 contract option was declined, signed with Indy Eleven as a free agent on January 22 |
| November 30, 2015 | Greg Cochrane | D | San Antonio FC | 2016 contract option was declined, signed with San Antonio FC as a free agent on February 25 |
| November 30, 2015 | Jason Johnson | F | San Antonio FC | 2016 contract option was declined, signed with San Antonio FC as a free agent on February 16 |
| November 30, 2015 | Alec Kann | GK | Sporting Kansas City | 2016 contract option was declined, selected by Sporting Kansas City in the Re-Entry Draft |
| November 30, 2015 | Jeff Larentowicz | D | LA Galaxy | 2016 contract option was declined, signed with LA Galaxy as a free agent on January 6 |
| November 30, 2015 | Lovel Palmer | D | Indy Eleven | 2016 contract option was declined, signed with Indy Eleven on January 12 |
| November 30, 2015 | Chris Ritter | M | None | 2016 contract option was declined |
| November 30, 2015 | Daneil Cyrus | D | W Connection | Loan deal expired |
| November 30, 2015 | Ty Harden | D | None | Out of contract, eligible for free agency |
| November 30, 2015 | Mike Magee | F | LA Galaxy | Out of contract, signed with LA Galaxy as a free agent on January 14 |
| November 30, 2015 | Matt Watson | M | Carolina RailHawks | Out of contract, signed with Carolina RailHawks as a free agent on January 15 |
| January 6, 2016 | Patrick Nyarko | F | D.C. United | Traded for second round pick in 2016 MLS SuperDraft |
| January 14, 2016 | Joevin Jones | D | Seattle Sounders FC | Traded in exchange for first round pick in 2016 MLS SuperDraft and allocation money |
| February 13, 2016 | Harry Shipp | M | Montreal Impact | Traded for general allocation money and targeted allocation money, after initially having his option exercised on November 30, 2015 |
| March 2, 2016 | Kingsley Bryce | M | None | Waived, after initially having his option exercised on November 30, 2015 |
| June 29, 2016 | Gilberto | F | São Paulo FC | Mutual termination of contract; signed with São Paulo FC on July 15 |
| July 29, 2016 | Kennedy Igboananike | F | D.C. United | Traded for Targeted Allocation Money and the natural third round pick in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft |
* Players selected in 2016 MLS SuperDraft, but ultimately not signed: midfielder Jack Harrison (1st overall, first round, from Wake Forest University) - traded to New York City FC, midfielder Vincent Mitchell (62nd overall, fourth round, from Butler University) and defender/midfielder Vincent Keller (57th overall, third round, from Creighton University).
* Trialists released in the preseason: defender James Musa, midfielder Parker Maher (Saint Louis FC), goalkeeper Zach Bennett (winner of the Open Tryout), defender Benedikt Krug, defender Mauricio Pineda (Chicago Fire Academy), goalkeeper Callum Irving, goalkeeper Matt Bersano and midfielder Christian Volesky.

### Loans

Per Major League Soccer and club policies terms of the deals do not get disclosed.

#### In

| Date | Player | Position | Loaned from | Notes | Ref |
| February 3, 2016 | Rodrigo Ramos | D | Coritiba | Acquired as a Discovery Signing on a one-year loan | |
| May 4, 2016 | Khaly Thiam | M | MTK Budapest | Acquired on loan through the end of 2016 | |

## Technical staff

| Position | Staff |
| General Manager | Nelson Rodríguez |
| Head Coach | Veljko Paunović |
| Assistant Coach | Marko Mitrović |
| Assistant Coach | Logan Pause |
| Goalkeeper Coach | Aleksandar Sarić |
| Strength and Conditioning Coach | Jordan Webb |
| Manager of Team and Soccer Operations | Alex Boler |
| Equipment Manager | Brian Sauer |
| Assistant Equipment Manager | Juan Arreola |
| Head Athletic Trainer | Mario Cruz |
| Assistant Athletic Trainer | Steve Purcell |
| Massage Therapist | Jake Bronowski, LMT |
| Chief Medical Officer | Dr. Joshua Blomgren, D.O. |
| Head Orthopedic Officer | Dr. Brian Forsythe, M.D. |
| Physical Therapist | Ryan Perry |
Last updated: October 23, 2016 Source: Chicago Fire Technical Staff

## Standings
### Eastern Conference table

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
| 6 | Philadelphia Union | 34 | 11 | 14 | 9 | 52 | 55 | −3 | 42 | MLS Cup Knockout Round |
| 7 | New England Revolution | 34 | 11 | 14 | 9 | 44 | 54 | −10 | 42 | |
| 8 | Orlando City SC | 34 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 55 | 60 | −5 | 41 | |
| 9 | Columbus Crew SC | 34 | 8 | 14 | 12 | 50 | 58 | −8 | 36 | |
| 10 | Chicago Fire | 34 | 7 | 17 | 10 | 42 | 58 | −16 | 31 | |

### Overall table

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 16 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 34 | 10 | 15 | 9 | 45 | 52 | −7 | 39 |
| 17 | San Jose Earthquakes | 34 | 8 | 12 | 14 | 32 | 40 | −8 | 38 |
| 18 | Columbus Crew SC | 34 | 8 | 14 | 12 | 50 | 58 | −8 | 36 |
| 19 | Houston Dynamo | 34 | 7 | 14 | 13 | 39 | 45 | −6 | 34 |
| 20 | Chicago Fire | 34 | 7 | 17 | 10 | 42 | 58 | −16 | 31 |

### Results summary

| Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away |
| Pld | Pts | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD |
| 34 | 31 | 7 | 17 | 10 | 42 | 58 | −16 | 6 | 3 | 8 | 26 | 21 | +5 | 1 | 14 | 2 | 16 | 37 | −21 |
Last updated: October 23, 2016 Source: MLSsoccer.com standings Pld = Matches played; Pts = Points; W = Matches won; T = Matches tied; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GD = Goal difference

### Results

| Round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 |
| Stadium | H | A | H | H | A | H | H | A | A | A | H | H | A | A | H | A | H | A | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | H | H | A | A | A | H | H | A |
| Result | L | T | T | W | T | L | T | L | L | L | W | T | L | L | W | L | W | L | L | T | L | T | W | T | L | W | L | T | L | L | L | T | W | L |

## Match results

Win  Tie  Loss

### Preseason

Kickoff times are in CST (UTC-06)
Simple Invitational
| Pos | Team | GP | W | L | D | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 1 | Chicago Fire | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 2 | +7 | 9 |
| 2 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 4 | +3 | 6 |
| 3 | Portland Timbers | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 3 |
| 4 | Minnesota United FC | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 11 | -10 | 0 |

### Major League Soccer

Kickoff times are in CDT (UTC-05), unless posted otherwise

### U.S. Open Cup

The Chicago Fire entered the 2016 U.S. Open Cup with the rest of Major League Soccer in the fourth round. Kickoff times are in CDT (UTC-05)

## Stats
### Leading scorers

MLS Regular Season :
| Rank | Scorer | Goals | Assists |
| 1 | David Accam | 9 | 5 |
| 2 | Michael de Leeuw | 7 | 3 |
| 3 | Arturo Álvarez | 5 | 9 |
| 4 | Răzvan Cociș | 5 | 2 |
| 5 | Kennedy Igboananike | 4 | 1 |
| 6 | John Goossens | 3 | 4 |
| 7 | Matt Polster | 2 | 2 |
| 8 | Luis Solignac | 2 | 0 |
| 9 | Joey Calistri | 1 | 1 |
| 9 | Jonathan Campbell | 1 | 1 |
| 11 | Khaly Thiam | 1 | 0 |
| 12 | Rodrigo Ramos | 0 | 3 |
| 12 | Brandon Vincent | 0 | 3 |
| 13 | Gilberto | 0 | 2 |
| 13 | Michael Stephens | 0 | 2 |
| 16 | Michael Harrington | 0 | 1 |
| 16 | Nick LaBrocca | 0 | 1 |
| 16 | João Meira | 0 | 1 |
U.S. Open Cup :
| Rank | Scorer | Goals | Assists |
| 1 | David Accam | 5 | 1 |
| 2 | Michael de Leeuw | 1 | 1 |
| 3 | Khaly Thiam | 1 | 0 |
| 4 | John Goossens | 0 | 1 |
| 4 | Rodrigo Ramos | 0 | 1 |
| 4 | Nick LaBrocca | 0 | 1 |
All Competitions :
| Rank | Scorer | Goals | Assists |
| 1 | David Accam | 14 | 5 |
| 2 | Arturo Álvarez | 5 | 5 |
| 3 | Michael de Leeuw | 4 | 4 |
| 4 | Kennedy Igboananike | 4 | 1 |
| 4 | Răzvan Cociș | 4 | 1 |
| 6 | John Goossens | 2 | 4 |
| 7 | Matt Polster | 2 | 1 |
| 8 | Khaly Thiam | 2 | 0 |
| 9 | Joey Calistri | 1 | 1 |
| 10 | Jonathan Campbell | 1 | 0 |
| 10 | Luis Solignac | 1 | 0 |
| 12 | Rodrigo Ramos | 0 | 4 |
| 13 | Gilberto | 0 | 2 |
| 13 | Michael Stephens | 0 | 2 |
| 13 | Nick LaBrocca | 0 | 2 |
| 13 | Brandon Vincent | 0 | 2 |
| 17 | João Meira | 0 | 1 |
| 17 | Michael Harrington | 0 | 1 |
Italics indicate player who departed the club during the season. Updated to match played on October 23, 2016. Source: MLSsoccer.com statistics - 2016 Chicago Fire

### Appearances and goals

| No. | Pos | Nat | Player | Total | Total | MLS Regular season | MLS Regular season | MLS Cup Playoffs | MLS Cup Playoffs | U.S. Open Cup | U.S. Open Cup |
| No. | Pos | Nat | Player | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| 2 | MF | USA | Matt Polster | 17 | 1 | 12+2 | 1 | 0+0 | 0 | 2+1 | 0 |
| 3 | DF | USA | Brandon Vincent | 18 | 0 | 13+1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 3+1 | 0 |
| 4 | DF | NED | Johan Kappelhof | 25 | 0 | 19+2 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 3+1 | 0 |
| 5 | DF | USA | Michael Harrington | 16 | 0 | 14+1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 |
| 6 | DF | USA | Eric Gehrig | 6 | 0 | 2+2 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 |
| 7 | MF | NED | John Goossens | 15 | 1 | 8+5 | 1 | 0+0 | 0 | 2+0 | 0 |
| 8 | MF | NED | Michael de Leeuw | 8 | 1 | 5+1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 2+0 | 1 |
| 9 | FW | ARG | Luis Solignac | 1 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 11 | FW | GHA | David Accam | 17 | 10 | 12+1 | 5 | 0+0 | 0 | 4+0 | 5 |
| 12 | MF | SLV | Arturo Álvarez | 21 | 3 | 15+3 | 3 | 0+0 | 0 | 3+0 | 0 |
| 13 | DF | BRA | Rodrigo Ramos (on loan from Coritiba) | 22 | 0 | 14+4 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 4+0 | 0 |
| 15 | FW | USA | Joey Calistri | 13 | 1 | 2+8 | 1 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+3 | 0 |
| 16 | DF | USA | Jonathan Campbell | 24 | 1 | 18+2 | 1 | 0+0 | 0 | 4+0 | 0 |
| 18 | MF | USA | Drew Conner | 0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 19 | MF | SEN | Khaly Thiam (on loan from MTK Budapest) | 14 | 2 | 9+2 | 1 | 0+0 | 0 | 3+0 | 1 |
| 21 | MF | USA | Nick LaBrocca | 15 | 0 | 5+7 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+2 | 0 |
| 22 | DF | USA | Patrick Doody | 0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 26 | MF | USA | Michael Stephens | 15 | 0 | 11+2 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 |
| 30 | MF | ROU | Răzvan Cociș | 23 | 2 | 10+9 | 2 | 0+0 | 0 | 4+0 | 0 |
| 66 | DF | POR | João Meira | 17 | 0 | 14+2 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 |
| Players currently out on loan with another club: (Statistics shown are the appearances made and goals scored while at Chicago Fire) ||||||||||||
| 17 | MF | USA | Collin Fernandez (on loan to Saint Louis FC) | 2 | 0 | 0+2 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 29 | FW | USA | Alex Morrell (on loan to Saint Louis FC) | 4 | 0 | 0+4 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| Players who left the club during the season: (Statistics shown are the appearances made and goals scored while at Chicago Fire) ||||||||||||
| 9 | FW | BRA | Gilberto (mutually terminated contract) | 9 | 0 | 8+1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 77 | FW | NGA | Kennedy Igboananike (traded) | 21 | 4 | 18+0 | 4 | 0+0 | 0 | 2+1 | 0 |

### Goalkeeper stats

| No. | Nat | Player | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Major League Soccer | Major League Soccer | Major League Soccer | Major League Soccer | Major League Soccer | Major League Soccer | U.S. Open Cup | U.S. Open Cup | U.S. Open Cup | U.S. Open Cup | U.S. Open Cup | U.S. Open Cup |
| No. | Nat | Player | GS | GP | MIN | GA | GAA | W | GS | GP | MIN | GA | GAA | W | GS | GP | MIN | GA | GAA | W |
| 23 | | Patrick McLain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0 |
| 25 | | Sean Johnson | 22 | 22 | 1980 | 37 | 1.68 | 6 | 22 | 22 | 1980 | 37 | 1.68 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0 |
| 28 | | Matt Lampson | 15 | 15 | 1380 | 22 | 1.43 | 4 | 11 | 11 | 990 | 18 | 1.64 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 390 | 4 | 0.92 | 3 |
Source: Chicago Fire goalkeeper stats

### National team participation

Four Fire players have been called up to play for their senior national teams during this season.
| Players | Team | Competition | Opponent | Date | Goals | Minutes |
| Brandon Vincent | United States | Friendly | Canada | February 5, 2016 | 0 | 45' |
| Matt Polster | United States | Friendly | Canada | February 5, 2016 | 0 | unused sub |
| David Accam | Ghana | 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification | Mozambique | March 24, 2016 | 0 | 0' (injury) |
| David Accam | Ghana | 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification | Mozambique | March 27, 2016 | 0 | 0' (injury) |
| David Arshakyan | Armenia | Friendly | Czech Republic | August 31, 2016 | 0 | unused sub |
| David Accam | Ghana | 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification | Rwanda | September 3, 2016 | 0 | Earned a start |
| David Arshakyan | Armenia | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification | Denmark | September 4, 2016 | 0 | 70' |
| David Accam | Ghana | Friendly | Russia | September 6, 2016 | 0 | 12' |

## Recognition
### MLS Goal of the Week

| Week | Player | Report |
| 24 | Luis Solignac | GOTW |

### MLS Team of the Week

| Week | Player | Position | Report |
| 5 | Johan Kappelhof | D | Report |
| 17 | Rodrigo Ramos | D | Report |
| 24 | David Accam | F | Report |
| 26 | Sean Johnson | GK | Report |
| 26 | João Meira | D | Report |
| 26 | Michael de Leeuw | F | Report |

### MLS All-Star Game

| Position | Player | Report |
| Defender | Brandon Vincent | Report |

### MLS 24 under 24

Chicago Fire midfielder Matt Polster was selected to Major League Soccer's "24 under 24" list, an annual ranking of the top players in the league under the age of 24.

### Team annual awards

Forward/midfielder David Accam was named the team's Most Valuable Player and Golden Boot winner for the second year in a row in both categories. In 24 league matches Accam scored nine goals and had five assists. Accam also had team-high 14 goals across all competitions of the season.
In his first year with the club Johan Kappelhof was named the Defensive Player of the Year. Tied with Jonathan Campbell for a team-high 33 league appearances, Kappelhof made 85 clearances, 17 blocks and 113 interceptions during his first MLS campaign.
Goalkeeper Sean Johnson was chosen Section 8 Chicago Supporters' Player of the Year.

## Kits

| Home | Away |
| Type | Shirt | Shorts | Socks | First appearance / Info |
| Home | Red | Red | Red | |
| Away | White | White | White | |

### Primary kit

The new primary kit for 2016 season was officially unveiled on January 25, 2016. The jersey features an all-red design with the return of the iconic white bar across the chest. The Chicago city flag embossed on the lower front for the jersey's jock tag.

### Secondary kit

According to the league's bi-annual rotation of kits the secondary kit carried over from the previous season. It was originally unveiled on March 2, 2015. The design and details were inspired by the City of Chicago flag.

## Draft pick trades

Picks acquired:
* 2016 MLS SuperDraft second round pick from D.C. United in exchange for forward Patrick Nyarko.
* 2016 MLS SuperDraft third round pick from New York Red Bulls in exchange for goalkeeper Kyle Reynish.
* 2017 MLS SuperDraft natural first round pick from Philadelphia Union in exchange for the top spot in the MLS Allocation Ranking Order.
* 2019 MLS SuperDraft natural third round pick from D.C. United in exchange for forward Kennedy Igboananike.
Picks traded:
* 2016 MLS SuperDraft conditional pick to Los Angeles Galaxy in exchange for Greg Cochrane.
* 2016 MLS SuperDraft natural second round pick to Orlando City SC in exchange for Eric Gehrig.
* 2017 MLS SuperDraft natural second round pick to Columbus Crew SC in exchange for the Discovery Priority on Khaly Thiam (however, pursuant to the trade agreement, if Thiam starts in 12 or more 2016 MLS regular season games, or if his loan is extended or successfully converted into a transfer following the 2016 season, Columbus will receive General Allocation Money instead of the SuperDraft pick).