Chicago Fire Team Player Reflects On His Local Uprising To Soccer Success
Illustration by Paintbristle on Instagram
By Jonathan Torres
Editor’s Note: This article has been edited and condensed for clarity purposes.
Born and raised in Berwyn, later moved to the Midway neighborhood, Chicago Fire soccer player Brian Gutiérrez got his first touch of a soccer ball in a youth league in Marquette Park, a local park district on the Southwest side of Chicago. Soccer has captivated him ever since then. Propelling himself into becoming one of Chicago’s most beloved professional soccer players, representing his city and being a role model for young Mexican-American athletes.
Gutiérrez, or as the fans like to call him, “Guti”, had a very humble upbringing. He was surrounded by his supportive family, soccer-packed weekends and dedicated to his growth.
His parents, originally from Jalisco, Mexico, made sure to give their family a great childhood. They instill virtues like respect, discipline, and kindness in him from a young age. Even when both of his parents worked extra hours to provide for their family, they dedicated their weekends to soccer, making it a shared passion for the whole family.
However, becoming a professional soccer player at the age of 16 was no easy feat.
Gutiérrez shared his upbringing story, which included the challenges of progressing through the academy system and earning his place among the top prospects while missing milestones as a teenager.
Cicero Independiente spoke to Brian Gutiérrez to learn more about his childhood upbringing and interest in soccer.
Cicero Independiente freelancer Jonathan Torres interviews Brian Gutiérrez during a break period from his final practice for the last Chicago Fire game of the 2024 season. Photo by Mario Tenorio/Cicero Independiente
Jonathan Torres (JT): Can you take us back to the time you attended a game at SeatGeek Stadium when you were 10?
Brian Gutiérrez (BG): Yeah, we had tickets for my little club team I was with back in the day. We had like a big group going of all the age groups and it was my first year walking into the stadium. I knew of the Chicago Fire, but I never went to the game. So that was my first really big time going in. I was obviously super excited. When I walked up [the stadium’s] stairs and went into, saw the crowd and the environment, it just gave me just that sense of, you know, those chills that you get as a little kid. I was just so excited and it was a really cherishable moment that I can remember.
JT: Growing up in a Mexican household, what was your home life like? Which aspects of your culture have had the biggest impact on you?
BG: Both my parents are Mexican. Like I always said in interviews, I think that's what made me the person I am today. The Mexican heritage and that upbringing with my family, my siblings and all my friends. I think it's a big part of who I am. That Mexican culture, such as going to church every Sunday with my family. Every weekend, my dad and my mom would take us to these games, the games that we had playing indoors, like in Chi-Town, and Dolton, and all those sports complexes back in the day.
That was what made me into the person I am today.
JT: What early lessons or values did your family teach you that shape who you are, both as a player and as a person?
BG: My family is really old school, you know? So old school upbringing, really strict, but at the same time, they give you that sort of, if you give them that confidence, they let you be. But it's always been, you know, a really religious family. I'm a really religious person. Always respect your elders. They always taught me that, you know, treat people the way you want them to be treated.
I think that's a really big part of it. Always giving back to people and you know, that's the working mentality, such as never giving up. I think that's a really big part of us because both my parents worked every day.
My dad did a lot of jobs, but when I was born he was a tow truck driver. My mom was a cashier at a store. I always appreciate them because they always worked extra hours and gave us that perfect life that every kid wanted.
JT: Is there a memory from your childhood that has stayed with you and captures who you are today?
BG: There's a lot of memories. I would always look forward to the weekends because I know I would play five to six games. That's what it was like. As a kid, you were like “I want to play! I want to play!”
Obviously, I wanted to play every day.
Also on those weekends, like in the early mornings, my dad would take us to Dolton because we played in this club team called Zaragoza. We played in that club team and then my dad would just take us, including my brothers and my sister.
I would play first, then I would watch my brother, and then I would watch my sister play.
Those were the nice days I really cherish.
JT: Who were some of your role models growing up, both on and off the field. How did they inspire your love for the sport?
BG:I would say my brother. I think my brother is a big role model because we would play every day and I would watch him play. I think we really have a great relationship with each other.
I think that he was a really big inspiration to me. Even though sometimes I really don't say it.
He always taught me these upbringings, all these tricks. He would show me these [soccer] tricks when I was little, and I'd be like, “I want to do that. I want to be like my older brother.”
He's 8 years older than me. So he would bully me around. I was this little kid and he was so huge.
We would play all the time in my basement. We would always play every day. And we would always break things. My mom would hate it. But we didn't care because we loved it. We would break something and be like, “oh, we got to tell our mom.” He would always pick me up from school. Because my dad and my mom had to work, he was always kind of like my father figure. He would always take care of me.
JT: How would you describe your time with the Fire academy?
BG: I would say it was challenging, but at the same time super fun. It just made me the player I am today. Those away trips we had with all my teammates were the best, you know.
I feel like we had a great group of players, and to this day, we still keep in touch. And most of them are like me, you know, in the first team. Looking back on those days, I really cherish them and miss them. I feel like we always had a great bond and that sense of camaraderie between us really helped.
JT: Can you share how the academy shaped you as both a player and a person?
BG: Back then there weren’t a lot of coaches, but the ones I had in the academy were truly great people. They showed us that being a good player wasn’t enough—you also had to be a good person. They really emphasized morals, like respecting each other. We could joke around and have fun, but there was always an expectation to treat one another with respect.
On the field, they pushed us to be role models for the younger kids and to truly value the moments we had. They reminded us that there were so many kids who wished they could be in our shoes, and that we should always be grateful for the opportunities we were given.
JT: When you were 16 and the senior team offered you a professional contract, could you take us through that moment?
BG: I received a call while I was in school during my first period class. I had all my work done for that class. The teacher told us you could do whatever you want. I had my phone on my desk and all I see is like a call from California. I was wondering who was called? I thought let me just answer it. on the low [because I was in class].
I said hello, and then the person behind the call said “Oh, this is Rafa Wicki” I already knew who it was. He was the head coach for the team. And he goes, “Yeah, me and George”—George was the president at the time—“just wanted to let you know we’re offering you a first team contract.” And I just froze. You know that feeling when your whole body gets warm, and you get goosebumps? That’s exactly what happened. I was like, what the... I couldn’t believe it.
I was like, “woah, thank you so much!” and then the call ended. I didn’t tell any of my friends that day. I still had to go through school because it was just the first period. I kept it to myself and I just couldn’t believe it! This is like literally what I dreamed of, you know?
Once you realized you were going to play professionally, what was your immediate reaction? What did you tell yourself at that moment?
I was grateful. I was in shock. I couldn't believe it. The whole day I was just thinking of that.
I got flashbacks of all the stuff I went through. Including the ups and downs that I went through as a kid. Because obviously not everything's gonna be roses. You always go through ups and downs.
JT: What was going through your mind when you missed out on experiences, such as prom?"
BG: I really didn't have that American teenager experience where you go to homecoming or prom. I missed my eighth grade graduation because I went to national team camp [at Croatia]. So, I had to miss it but I didn't care. I'm doing what I love.
I knew it was gonna pay off. Sometimes it could be good or bad, you know? But thankfully it worked out.
JT: Can you describe what it was like to score your first goal, especially on your home field?
BG: My first goal was obviously a big relief…every first goal [is] amazing! My feeling on my first goal at home was a sensation that I really enjoyed. Cause obviously we won that game, but there was a rain delay and we were there for like an hour and a half in the locker room.
That year I was playing really well, I was starting a lot. Unfortunately, I wasn't scoring that much, but I was playing really well while assisting others.
A lot of my teammates were like, “you need to shoot more.” I got in a good position. That's what helped me score my first goal at home. It was what I dreamed of.
JT: As someone who has grown from an academy player to a starter, how has that journey been for you?
BG: You have to gain [and earn] your respect as a player. I feel like transitioning from a role player to a starter is really hard. I feel like I've been earning it on the field. I feel like that's where you have to show on the field instead of talking. That was my ability to show my teammates and my coaches they could trust me.
I feel like that transition and every game is where you have to prove yourself that you're a starter. That's how I see it now in every game because the starting job is not given… it's earned. I think a lot of players go into games thinking, “Oh, I’m just going to stay relaxed.” For me, every game is a chance to prove why I’m there and why I’m starting.
JT: Do you see yourself as a role model for young players in Berwyn and Chicago?
BG: I always see myself as a role model. Every athlete is a role model for the younger crowd. Everything I do is towards that younger crowd. Hopefully they take in what they like and bring it to their life. My dad and family always tell me that.
I always have to give back to the kids because at the end of the day, you're one of them. I was always one of them. Every game, I try to sign a lot of [autographs], have conversations and interactions with them. Because as a kid, you really cherish that. When I would see the players [in the field when I was a child], a lot of them would leave, or some would stay. I would be like “Woah, I haven't met a player before.”
JT: If you could say something to your ten-year-old self, the kid who went to his first Chicago Fire game long ago, what would you say?
BG: Enjoy the game like how you've always been enjoying it. Cherish every moment that you have with your loved ones and with your teammates. Don't put too much emphasis on “if I'm going to make it or not.” Just do what you always have been doing.
JT: What message do you have for young players who may read/hear about your story?
BG: For a young player, it will always be love what you're doing, respect everybody and always have that self-confidence in yourself. Believe in yourself that you could do anything.
Jonathan Torres is a Mexican-American journalist from the South Side of Chicago. He hopes to continue reporting in the Cicero/Berwyn area, bringing the communities together one article at a time.
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