For many in and around the Chicago Fire, the rate of goals conceded over the season's latter stages seemed incompatible with the club's performance just a few months earlier.
Back in March and early April, the Fire were busy establishing a club-record shutout streak, keeping a clean sheet for the better part of four-and-a-half matches. But results shifted as the season wore on, with the Fire allowing two or more goals in nine of their final 11 contests.
While the team believes it has identified some key pieces from which to build a sturdy foundation around, General Manager Nelson Rodríguez made it clear on Tuesday that there is still more to be expected from a group that surrendered 58 MLS goals in 2016, equal to 2015 and nearly a league-high.