Every professional athlete wants to be involved in competitive moments whenever they can, but some have to wait years for their opportunity to arise. Chicago Fire goalkeeper Jeff Gal was thrust into a role on the pitch for his side for the first time since signing with the MLS side in 2023 when starting goalkeeper Chris Brady was given a red card for a poor challenge in the first half against Orlando City. Gal, 32, had not played a minute yet for the Fire, and his cameo at Soldier Field were his first minutes in top-level soccer since November 2022 while he was with Degerfors in Sweden’s top tier. The Bartlett, Illinois native was called into action quickly and denied Iván Angulo’s on-target effort in first half stoppage time, and Gal did enough (two saves) in his 64 minutes to ensure his side left the lakefront with a point after a scoreless draw, a successful MLS debut by any measure. Gal didn’t even allow reporters to ask a question after the match before he started explaining his emotions about his Fire debut. “I’m going to try to find some words for you guys right now, but all the emotions, obviously, running through my body,” Gal said. “To make my MLS debut for my hometown is amazing, literally. This is what I’ve worked for, obviously, since I’ve been a kid, and to make it happen today is too good to be true.” Gal emerged as the club’s backup goalkeeper in the preseason after spending the last two as the Fire’s third goalkeeper behind Brady and veteran Spencer Richey, but was earned the number two role after Richey departed. Fire head coach and director of football Gregg Berhalter said Gal’s emergence was “one of the revelations of the preseason” in February. Once he finally got the opportunity to get on the pitch in MLS, Gal said he likely blacked out for a moment after realizing he was going into the match against Orlando. “It’s just trying to get ready as quickly as possible, wrapping your mind around that. I probably blacked out a bit at the beginning. But like you said, waiting, waiting, waiting. I just put my head down every single day, grinding, putting in the work. To be able to have my family here to support me, to be on my side, is amazing.” Despite the moment being a first for Gal, there was a lot he learned in that appearance after mostly playing competitively with the Fire’s second team. ​​“It kind of feels like you’re going a little bit of the unknown. Obviously, you haven’t experienced it. Preseason is one thing, but this felt like a whole different world. And like you said, I’ve been able to get reps with the second team, and obviously, training with these guys, the quality of players every single day, day-in, day-out, obviously helps me be ready for this moment.” Gal is slated to get his first MLS start on Saturday when the Fire host Atlanta United, as Chris Brady is expected to miss the contest due to the red card he was assessed against Orlando City. “I feel good. Obviously, I was able to get a lot of reps and games in preseason. Obviously, the season is young, so I feel like I'm in a good place right now. I'm happy to be able to help the team anyway I can.” Atlanta United was an issue for Gal to deal with later. The goalkeeper had to leave the United States after his collegiate career to play professionally and finally returned years later with more experience and a family as well. All of those travels and experiences were worth it for Gal now that he’s finally made his MLS debut in 2025. “What a roller coaster of a career so far. So many highs, so many lows. Going to Europe, to Sweden. Obviously, just putting in the work and hoping for a day like this to happen. And for it to happen in my hometown of Chicago. I don’t have many words, but it's one of the best feelings ever, seriously.” What’s On Tap Next? The Fire will enter the US Open Cup in the round of 32 when they host the USL Championship’s Detroit City FC at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview. The match is scheduled to kick off at 7:00 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on Paramount+.