Phase one is in the books.
The Chicago Fire entered preseason training under Veljko Paunovic intent on two objectives: establishing a team identity that took its cues from Paunovic himself, and implementing a well-defined yet adaptable style of play on the pitch.
As the Men In Red pack up their belongings in Portland to return to the Windy City, it’s safe to say the squad made great progress in both areas over the last five weeks.
And along the way? They happened to win five preseason matches in undeniably impressive fashion.
The latest was Saturday night’s 2-0 victory over reigning MLS Cup champion Portland Timbers FC in the Timbers’ typically raucous home building, which allowed the Fire to clinch the 2016 Simple Invitational championship with a 3-0-0 record and a plus-7 goal differential.