Gregg Berhalter believes his experience with the United States will allow him to thrive with the Chicago Fire, who begin their 2025 MLS campaign against the Columbus Crew this week.

Berhalter won two CONCACAF Nations League titles and one Gold Cup with USMNT, also leading them to the last 16 of the World Cup in 2022.

He departed after their early exit from the Copa America last year, and was subsequently announced as head coach and director of football at Chicago.

Chicago finished bottom of the Eastern Conference last year, with just 30 points from 34 games. Only the San Jose Earthquakes had a worse record overall in MLS.

"I think I've learned to listen a lot better and then it's the combination of now understanding when to listen and when to give clear direction," Berhalter told the Chicago Sun-Times of his approach to the new role. "That's something I've been working on. It's really a mindset. 

"That's one thing I’ve learned the most, is that you need to carry that mindset with you every single day because it's not a switch that you can turn on and off.

"The most successful players we’ve had with the national team are players that understood that. 

"It's what you do every single day that leads to the weekend that leads you to a performance that you want to compete to win."

Berhalter's first league game at the helm takes him back to Columbus, who he coached for five years before taking the USA job. He feels his stint in international management has made him a better coach than the one that left MLS in 2018.

"I've seen a lot more high-level soccer. You're more prepared. It's six years later, and now it's about, how do you bring some of that stuff that you [learned] back to the everyday? 

"In general, I think it's really clear about how to set up a team to try to win games."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Columbus Crew – Diego Rossi 

Rossi recorded 12 goals and 10 assists for the Crew last season, the first time in his career he had 10 goals and 10 assists in a single MLS campaign. 

He was one of two Crew players, alongside Cucho Hernandez, who transferred to Real Betis in the offseason, to record 10 goals and 10 assists last year.

Chicago Fire – Hugo Cuypers 

Cuypers scored 10 goals for the Fire during the 2024 regular season, the first player to hit double figures for the club since Robert Beric in 2020 (12 goals).

If they are to endure a more positive 2025, they will need him to produce again.

MATCH PREDICTION – COLUMBUS CREW WIN

The Fire are winless in 15 straight season-opening matches (D7 L8) dating back to 2010, the longest such streak in MLS history. 

Chicago have drawn each of their last four season-opening matches, but they are major outsiders for this one.

Columbus are unbeaten in 16 straight home matches against the Fire in all competitions (W11 D5), conceding just one goal in its last six home matches against Chicago.

The Crew set club records for points (66), wins (19) and goals (72) in the 2024 season. Columbus had never totalled more than 57 points, 17 wins or 67 goals in a single MLS season prior to last year.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Columbus Crew – 76%

Chicago Fire – 9.8%

Draw – 14.2%