Chicago Fire goalkeeper Chris Brady has made history after he was named to the United States’ World Cup roster on Tuesday.
Brady will be one of three goalkeepers joining the U.S. squad for the upcoming tournament, and after a strong season with the Fire, he’s ready to make some history.
According to the Fire, Brady, a Naperville native, is the first designated “Homegrown Player” to be named to a FIFA World Cup roster in the team’s history.
What’s more, he’s just the fifth player in Fire history to make a World Cup squad while a member of Chicago’s roster, a group that includes DeMarcus Beasley and Josh Wolff making the U.S. team in 2002.
“It’s hard to even put into words what this means,” said Brady in a statement. “It’s life changing. I was nervous but I know the hard work I’ve put into it and that the people around me have helped me put into it, and I’m super excited and thankful.”
Major League Soccer has a rule known as the “Homegrown Player Rule” that allows them to sign local players directly to their first-team rosters.
Brady signed a contract with the Fire in March 2020, and since then he has appeared in 106 games with the first-team, including 14 this season. In his 14 appearances this season, Brady has racked up six clean sheets and has stopped 46 shots, nearly 75% of the total shots he’s faced.
Matt Turner, currently a goalkeeper for the New England Revolution, and Matt Freese of New York City FC were also named to the U.S. roster on Tuesday.
Brady has some Team USA experience, serving as a member of the U.S. squad during the 2025 Gold Cup and helping the team to qualify for the Olympics in 2024.
Before their first World Cup game on June 12, the United States will play Senegal on Sunday in Charlotte, then will face Germany in Chicago on Saturday, June 6.
