The Chicago Fire are, historically, extremely guarded when it comes to letting their youngest players talk to the media. The club is careful not to put an immature player into a situation where they might say something stupid and embarrass themselves. They don’t want to “Freddy Adu” anyone—smothering a young player with too much media exposure too soon.
But, with 17-year-old Gabriel “Gaga” Slonina, the Fire don’t really have a choice. The last year has seen him go from an unproven homegrown to the Fire’s No. 1 starter and member of the full United States Men’s National Team.