It’s been a brutal era for Chicago Fire fans. They last qualified for the MLS Cup playoffs in 2017 and finished dead last in the Eastern Conference last season.

CHICAGO (CBS) -- The Chicago Fire FC is dealing with yet another coaching change—hoping that a soccer-lifer with ties to the area can spark a turnaround with the flickering franchise.

The former U.S. men’s soccer team manager is now in charge of the Chicago Fire. One of his first moves was signing former Union centerback Jack Elliott.

The Niles product, who drew interest from clubs in top European leagues, has immense potential, and the Fire have a plan for him to succeed.

Signing Chicago Fire FC have acquired midfielder Rominigue Kouamé on loan from LaLiga2 side Cádiz CF, the club announced Friday.

In that ’09 campaign, the Fire recorded a league-best 6-3-6 away record. Since then, they have gone 41-143-63 on the highway, a brutal .294 winning percentage.

Chicago Fire FC announced that it had signed 25-year-old center-back Sam Rogers from Norwegian Lillestrøm SK. The defender has signed a deal through 2026 and contains options to extend his deal until 2028. The defender comes in at a critical moment in the backline with the team reorganizing under the helm of Gregg Berhalter.

Jonathan Bamba, a member of Ivory Coast’s team that won last year’s Africa Cup of Nations, will be a designated player for the Chicago Fire.

The Al Hilal forward is in talks with the Chicago Fire over a blockbuster transfer, according to a report from Foot Mercato. The move would be a stunner on multiple levels, not least of which is the 32-year-old has been widely speculated to be interested in joining Inter Miami.

The Chicago Fire acquired winger Jonathan Bamba on Tuesday and signed him to a contract that runs through the 2027 season.

Chicago Fire FC is engaged in “preliminary negotiations” with Brazil soccer legend Neymar, according to multiple reports.

The Chicago Fire FC just signed the youngest field player in club history. The latest: The Fire signed 15-year-old midfielder Robert Turdean to a club-record contract for a Homegrown Player. Homegrown Players are local athletes who attend the club's soccer academy.