By Jeff Vorva
Hinsdale native Andrew Gutman has always been a top-notch all-around soccer player.
In college at Indiana University, the Hinsdale Central graduate capped off his career in 2018 by winning the MAC Hermann Trophy, which is given to the top college player of the year.
He was also named Top Drawer National Soccer Player of the Year, Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, and IU’s Male Athlete of the Year.
Even though he was a defender, he led the team with 11 goals and was second with nine assists while also helping the Hoosiers to record 15 shutouts on defense.
By upgrading from college soccer to Major League Soccer, he gets fewer opportunities to put the ball in the net, so he savors the goals he gets.
One big goal came close to home.
Gutman, who is in his first year with the Chicago Fire, scored the team’s only goal on Sept. 7 in a 2-1 loss to D.C. United at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview.
Usually, Chicago plays its game at Solider Field in Chicago, but there was a conflict with a Bears game, and a few more friends and family had a chance to watch him in action. And he delivered a goal in the 56th minute.
“I’ve been in that position many times in my career,” Gutman said about the chance to score. “And when I was younger, I always kind of rushed it. But as I’ve gotten older, I understand that I have more time. So when I saw the ball pop out, I knew just to take a deep breath, and I was able to calm myself and pretend like I was out there by myself.
“And luckily, I hit it cleanly and scored a nice goal.”
It was also the night in which he hit a milestone as Gutman made his 100th career MLS start.
“Yeah, I think for me personally, it’s a cool milestone to hit,” he said after the game. “I probably could have hit it a little earlier if I didn’t have some injuries, but that’s how it is. But [I’m] very happy to get 100 starts in MLS.”
Gutman played for Atlanta United, the New York Red Bulls, and the Colorado Rapids before coming to the Fire this season. He had 10 goals in 77 games before coming back home. While he makes his living as a defender, he likes getting scoring chances.
“Yeah, obviously, you always want the ball,” he said. “I think, for me, I’m trying to get into a position where when guys do receive the ball with the head up that I’m running in behind trying to make the defender make a decision, but at the same time, I am trying to free up space to get [Brian Gutierrez] on the ball. If we can get him on the ball and get him creating for us, that’s probably better than having me on the ball.
“I think sometimes we’re just on different pages, and I think that’s something that we really need to work on, just a better understanding of where everyone is and what everyone wants to do. I know it’s a little late in the season to be saying that, but that’s kind of the reality of where we’re at.”
Injuries have limited Gutman this season, and the team failed to qualify for the MLS playoffs. So he is looking for better things ahead.
“I think with my season, in particular, I was very stop and go,” Gutman said. “I had some injuries that kind of derailed my season.”
Photo by Jeff Vorva
Photo by Jeff Vorva
