GUADALAJARA — Brian Gutiérrez, a 22-year-old midfielder raised on Chicago’s South Side, started for Mexico in a 2-0 victory over South Africa in the World Cup opener, according to the article.
Gutiérrez said his upbringing in Chicago influenced his play, noting time spent playing street soccer with friends and family in a largely Latino household. “I grew up there, I lived there, and I think that influenced me a lot,” he said, adding that the local community gave him “that little chip, little hunger.” He is perfectly bilingual and was raised by parents from the Jalisco region in a “100% Mexican” home, the report said.
The midfielder developed through the Chicago Fire academy, was promoted to the club’s senior MLS squad and drew attention from the U.S. national team, which called him up for two international games in 2025, according to the article. By the end of last year he transferred to Chivas, the popular Jalisco club he said he had long supported. “I’ve always been a Chivas supporter. It was a no-brainer for me,” Gutiérrez said.
Chivas is traditionally known for signing only Mexican players; the club later allowed non–Mexican-born players who could obtain Mexican passports and commit to the Mexico national team, and it has relaxed that rule further in recent years, the report said, citing the arrival of U.S. native Cade Cowell as an example.
Gutiérrez said he called his parents first after learning of his World Cup selection and that his mother cried upon hearing the news. He described his bicultural identity as something he values: “I really love both sides of where I’m from and I’m extremely grateful.” Asked whether he would root for the U.S. team, he responded, “No comment.” The Mexico squad this summer also includes Obed Vargas, who was born in Alaska, underscoring a growing blend of backgrounds on El Tri, according to the article.
