Andrew Gutman Bio
Andrew David Gutman (born October 2, 1996) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a left-back for Major League Soccer club Chicago Fire. Standing 5 feet 10 inches tall, he is recognized for his attacking runs down the left flank, his crossing ability, and his capacity to contribute goals from a defensive position. After a distinguished college career with the Indiana Hoosiers, he launched his professional journey in 2019 and has since played in both the United Soccer League and Major League Soccer.
Early Life and Background
Andrew David Gutman was born on October 2, 1996, in Hinsdale, Illinois, in the United States. He grew up in the Chicago suburbs, where soccer was a popular local sport, and he began playing organized youth soccer at a young age. His early footballing environment in the Hinsdale area shaped his development as a left-footed defender comfortable joining the attack.
Before college, Gutman played high school soccer for one season at Hinsdale Central High School. After that opening season, he joined the Chicago Fire youth academy, where he spent his sophomore, junior, and senior years of high school training in a professional environment. This combination of high school and academy competition gave him valuable experience competing against top young talents in the region.
Path to Soccer
Ahead of the 2015 NCAA Division I men’s soccer season, Gutman signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the Indiana Hoosiers men’s soccer program. He immediately became a starter, appearing in all 21 matches during his freshman year and earning Big Ten All-Second Team, Big Ten All-Freshman Team, and NSCAA All-Midwest Regional honors while recording one goal and one assist.
Across his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons, Gutman developed into one of the most decorated defenders in college soccer. He led Indiana in assists during his sophomore year, picked up second-team All-American recognition as a junior, and led the Hoosiers with 11 goals as a senior despite playing as a defender. His final college season included anchoring a back line that led the NCAA in shutouts with 15 while conceding only 13 goals across the year.
Andrew Gutman Career
Early Career (2016)
Between his college seasons, Gutman played one season in the USL League Two, then known as the Premier Development League. During the 2016 PDL season, he featured for Chicago Fire U-23, making 13 appearances, scoring two goals, and adding three assists. The summer experience gave him valuable senior-level minutes outside of the college game.
College Honors and the Hermann Trophy (2015–2018)
Gutman’s four years at Indiana produced a long list of individual honors. Following his senior year in 2018, he was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, became a Hermann Trophy finalist, was listed as a first-team All-American by United Soccer Coaches, and won the men’s TopDrawerSoccer.com National Player of the Year Award. On January 4, 2019, two weeks after winning the TDS Award, Gutman won the Hermann Trophy, widely regarded as the most prestigious individual award in American college soccer.
Celtic Era and Initial Loans (2019–2021)
In January 2019, Gutman signed a contract with Scottish Premiership side Celtic, joining a long-standing rival of Rangers, the club where he had briefly trialled. Celtic announced on January 31, 2019, that he had been signed to a three-year contract, and he was immediately loaned to USL Championship side Charlotte Independence for the remainder of the 2019 season. He made his Charlotte debut on March 15, 2019, scoring in a 3–2 loss to Indy Eleven, and added further goals against Bethlehem Steel FC and Birmingham Legion during the campaign.
On August 3, 2019, Gutman was loaned to Major League Soccer side FC Cincinnati through the 2020 MLS season, with Cincinnati sending General Allocation Money to the Chicago Fire in exchange for his MLS rights. He made his MLS debut on August 10, 2019, starting in a 2–2 draw with Columbus Crew. He remained attached to Celtic’s organization while continuing to develop on loan in the United States.
Atlanta United Era (2021–2023)
On December 17, 2020, Atlanta United selected Gutman in Stage 1 of the 2020 MLS Re-Entry Draft. On March 9, 2021, Atlanta United signed him permanently from Celtic on a three-year deal, then immediately loaned him to the New York Red Bulls for the 2021 season. He debuted for New York on April 17, 2021, in a 2–1 loss to Sporting Kansas City, and scored his first Red Bulls goal on April 25, 2021, in a 3–2 loss to the LA Galaxy. He later scored the lone goal in New York’s 1–0 victory over FC Cincinnati on October 2, 2021.
Colorado Rapids (2023)
On July 5, 2023, Gutman was acquired by the Colorado Rapids in exchange for $400,000 in guaranteed General Allocation Money, a conditional $150,000 in additional GAM, and an international roster slot. He made his Rapids debut on July 8, 2023, against FC Dallas, adding another MLS stop to his growing resume.
Chicago Fire Era (2024–Present)
On December 12, 2023, Chicago Fire FC acquired Gutman from Colorado in exchange for defender Miguel Navarro and $450,000 in General Allocation Money, split across 2024 and 2025. He made his debut for Chicago on February 24, 2024, against the Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania. His return to Chicago completed a full-circle moment, bringing the local product back to the Major League Soccer club whose academy helped shape his early career.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a left-back, Gutman is best known for his offensive contributions from defense, including overlapping runs, accurate crossing, and a willingness to arrive in the penalty area to score. His background as a goal-scoring college defender translated into senior-level production, particularly during loan spells at Charlotte Independence and with the New York Red Bulls. His familiarity with the Chicago Fire’s playing system, having come through the club’s academy, has also made him a reliable fit at his current club.
Notable Events and Milestones
Gutman’s most celebrated moment came on January 4, 2019, when he won the Hermann Trophy as the top player in NCAA Division I men’s soccer. He also earned the TopDrawerSoccer.com National Player of the Year Award, was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, and became a first-team All-American. His MLS debut for FC Cincinnati on August 10, 2019, and his return to the Chicago Fire in 2024 stand out as key milestones in his professional path.
Andrew Gutman Career Wins
Andrew David Gutman’s career has been defined more by individual awards and steady professional progression than by major team trophies. His most notable accolades came during his time with the Indiana Hoosiers, where he became one of the most honored college defenders in the country. He has since built a resume of consistent contributions across multiple Major League Soccer clubs.
College Highlights
During four seasons with the Indiana Hoosiers, Gutman earned Big Ten All-Second Team and Big Ten All-Freshman Team honors as a freshman, additional All-Midwest recognition in his sophomore year, and second-team All-American nods as a junior. His senior year produced his biggest prizes: Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, first-team All-American by United Soccer Coaches, TopDrawerSoccer.com National Player of the Year, and the prestigious Hermann Trophy.
Other Wins and Performances
Outside of college, Gutman scored multiple goals during his 2019 loan at Charlotte Independence and added a goal for the New York Red Bulls against FC Cincinnati in October 2021. He has posted consistent appearances across the USL Championship and Major League Soccer, cementing his reputation as a dependable left-back at the professional level.
Andrew Gutman Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Andrew David Gutman’s family background is limited, and there is no widely reported racing lineage associated with him. He grew up in Hinsdale, Illinois, and his connection to soccer in the Chicago area appears to have come through local youth programs and the Chicago Fire academy rather than a family footballing dynasty.
Personal Life
Andrew David Gutman maintains an active presence on social media, including accounts on X and Instagram, where fans can follow his career updates. He is known to come from the Hinsdale, Illinois, community that helped launch his soccer journey, and his return to the Chicago Fire in 2024 brought him back near his hometown. Further verified personal-life details are not publicly documented in available sources.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 Major League Soccer season, Andrew David Gutman is firmly established as a left-back option for the Chicago Fire following his acquisition in December 2023. His debut season in 2024, which began on February 24 against the Philadelphia Union, gave him a full campaign to adapt to head coach Frank Klopas’s system and build chemistry with the squad. By 2025, he is expected to compete for regular minutes on the left side of the defense.
As a homegrown product who came through the Chicago Fire academy, Gutman brings familiarity with the club’s style and the city itself. His performances in 2024 demonstrated his willingness to push forward and contribute in attack, a quality the Fire will continue to rely on. With several of his past clubs opting not to retain him beyond short-term deals, consistency in 2025 will be an important benchmark for his long-term future in Chicago.
Looking ahead, Gutman’s outlook for 2025 centers on solidifying his role in the starting eleven and helping the Chicago Fire push higher in the Eastern Conference standings. His combination of college pedigree, professional experience across multiple organizations, and local ties make him a key piece of the club’s defensive plans for the season.
