Dithejane’s MLS rise has Chicago Fire buzzing
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Puso Dithejane proved to be a shining light for Chicago Fire with another goal. Photo: Gallo Images
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Dithejane’s MLS rise has Chicago Fire buzzing
Aug 20, 2026 – 10:02 am
By Thato Bosoga
Puso Dithejane has been in scintillating form for Chicago Fire since the resumption of the Major League Soccer following the FIFA World Cup break, and a Chicago-based journalist has revealed the secret behind the South African winger’s revitalised displays.
The 23-year-old has been enjoying more minutes and making them count, notably grabbing an assist in a 3-2 defeat to Inter Miami before inspiring the Fire to a historic 2-1 win over Liga MX champions CD Cruz Azul in the League Cup, where he scored his first brace for the club.
Alex Calabrese, Editor-in-Chief of MenInRed97.com, told KickOff exclusively that a combination of regular game time and growing self-belief has been the catalyst for Dithejane’s upturn in fortunes.
“There were a couple of things that changed, but most importantly, it was confidence. Since we came back, he has been playing regularly, and that has allowed him to get a better run of minutes,” Calabrese explained.
“He scored in both friendlies we played before the season resumed after the World Cup, and he scored in the first match back against Miami. And, of course, in a game against Cruz Azul (League Cup), he scored twice, which I would say is one of the biggest wins The Fire have ever had in their history, and he scored both goals (in a 2-1 win).”
“So, even though he has only been here for six months, he is part of history for the club and hopefully it’s only the beginning.”
Calabrese also shed light on where the attacker currently sits in the pecking order, revealing that Dithejane is knocking firmly on the door of the starting lineup despite stiff competition.
“I think he’s still one of the first players off the bench. I think in the starting XI, it would still be Jonathan Bamba and Phillip Zinckernagel. Bamba was coming off illness last week and was out, for Puso to start against Cruz.”
“Bamba is coming back now and the expectation is that he is still the first starter. But Puso has grown so much this season, to the point that he is now on the brink of the starting XI.”
“And when Bamba was out, there were a lot of questions that (Gregg) Berhalter can’t just put him in the line-up, (but) it worked, it worked great, so ja,” Calabrese added.
With Dithejane growing in stature with every appearance, the South African’s trajectory in the MLS is pointing firmly upward. If he maintains his current trajectory, it may not be long before he cements his place as a permanent fixture in Gregg Berhalter’s starting eleven.