Chris Mueller Bio
Christopher Matthew Mueller (born August 29, 1996) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a winger for Major League Soccer club Chicago Fire. A product of the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Mueller was the sixth overall pick of the 2018 MLS SuperDraft and went on to set records with Orlando City before a brief stint in Scotland and a return to MLS. Standing 175 cm tall, he has built his career on scoring from wide positions and contributing goals in open play.
Early Life and Background
Christopher Matthew Mueller grew up in Schaumburg, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. He developed his soccer skills in local youth setups before taking his game to the college level, where he joined the University of Wisconsin–Madison program. His time in the Midwest youth system gave him the technical base and tactical awareness that would later define his professional career as a winger.
At Wisconsin, Mueller played college soccer from 2014 to 2017 and became one of the most productive attackers in the program. He scored 22 goals in 75 regular season matches, a record that highlighted his consistency and finishing ability. In 2016, his performance earned him selection to the All-America third team and the All-Big Ten first team.
Mueller’s senior year in 2017 was his most decorated. He was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, earned All-Big Ten first team honors for a second time, and was selected to the All-America second team. Those achievements placed him firmly on the radar of Major League Soccer scouts heading into the 2018 draft.
Path to Soccer
Mueller’s path to the professional ranks began in the United Soccer League, where he gained senior minutes before completing his college eligibility. In 2016, he appeared for Des Moines Menace, and in 2017, he featured for Chicago FC United, two developmental clubs that helped him bridge the gap between college soccer and the professional level.
His standout college career and his productive summer stints in the lower divisions convinced Orlando City to make him the sixth overall selection in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft. The move gave Mueller a clear pathway to first-team soccer in a top North American league.
Chris Mueller Career
Early Career (2016-2017)
Before turning professional, Mueller split his time between the University of Wisconsin–Madison and two developmental sides. He played for Des Moines Menace in 2016 and Chicago FC United in 2017, gaining competitive minutes that complemented his college schedule.
Those appearances allowed him to test his skills against older, more physical opponents and helped him refine the wide-attacking style that would later become his trademark.
Orlando City Era (2018-2021)
Mueller made his professional debut on March 3, 2018, in a 1–1 draw with D.C. United. He wasted little time making an impact, scoring his first professional goal on April 8, 2018, in a 3–2 victory over Portland Timbers. Later that month, he scored the fastest goal in Orlando City history, finding the net just 63 seconds into a match against the San Jose Earthquakes while also recording his first professional assist in the same game. His strong first season saw him finish as runner-up for the 2018 MLS Rookie of the Year Award.
In 2019, Mueller started in his second consecutive season opener and scored against New York City FC. He also netted his first U.S. Open Cup goal against the same opponent. That summer, he was part of the Orlando City team, alongside Nani and Sebas Méndez, that won the 2019 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge, defeating entries from the MLS All-Stars and Atlético Madrid, with Mueller notably the only player to complete a scissors kick during the volleys round.
The 2020 season, disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, saw Mueller emerge as Orlando’s most reliable scorer. He netted the club’s first goal of the year in a 2–1 loss to Colorado Rapids, scored in the opening match of the MLS is Back Tournament against Inter Miami CF, and added a brace in a 3–1 victory over New York City FC. He finished 2020 as the team’s top scorer with a career-high 10 goals.
In 2021, Mueller tied the club appearance record after coming on as a substitute against Toronto FC, then broke it the following day by starting in a 2–1 win over Philadelphia Union. Shortly after, he informed Orlando City that he had signed a pre-contract agreement with an unnamed European club, ending his time in Florida as the franchise’s all-time leading appearance maker.
Chicago Fire Era (2022-Present)
On May 5, 2022, Chicago Fire FC announced they had signed Mueller for an undisclosed fee from Hibernian, bringing him back to Major League Soccer. The return to his home region allowed him to reset his career after a difficult spell in Scotland and to re-establish himself as a regular contributor in the MLS attack.
Brief Hibernian Spell (2022)
Scottish Premiership side Hibernian announced the signing of Mueller on July 22, 2021, on a free transfer that took effect on January 1, 2022. He made his debut on January 20, 2022, in a 1–0 Scottish Cup win over Cove Rangers and scored his only goal for the club on February 13, 2022, in a 3–1 win over Arbroath F.C. Hibs allowed him to return to the United States in May 2022, with chief executive Ben Kensell saying Mueller had struggled to adapt to the pace and physicality of Scottish soccer.
International Career
In November 2020, Mueller was called up to the United States senior national team for the first time, despite never previously representing the country at any level. He made his debut on December 9, 2020, in a friendly against El Salvador, starting the match, scoring twice, registering one assist, and being named man of the match in a 6–0 victory.
Notable Events and Milestones
Mueller’s most notable milestones include becoming Orlando City’s all-time leading appearance maker, scoring the fastest goal in club history, and being part of the team that won the 2019 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge. His two-goal debut for the United States against El Salvador also stands out as a defining early moment on the international stage.
Chris Mueller Career Wins
Mueller’s competitive honors include the 2019 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge title with Orlando City, as well as multiple individual college awards during his time at Wisconsin. He was runner-up for the 2018 MLS Rookie of the Year Award and finished 2020 as Orlando City’s top scorer with 10 goals.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond his professional record, Mueller was selected to the All-Big Ten first team in both 2016 and 2017, was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year in 2017, and earned All-America recognition in both of those seasons. Those awards underscored his status as one of the top college attackers in the country before he entered MLS.
Chris Mueller Family
Personal Life
Christopher Matthew Mueller is an American citizen who was born and raised in Schaumburg, Illinois. Public details about his family life and personal relationships have not been widely reported.
2025 Season Performance
As of 2025, Mueller continues his tenure with Chicago Fire FC, the club he joined in May 2022 after returning from Hibernian. The 2025 campaign represents another full season of MLS action for the winger, who has remained a regular contributor on the flanks for the Fire.
With his move to Chicago now several years old, Mueller has settled into a defined role as an experienced wide attacker. His familiarity with the league and his prior scoring record at Orlando City provide a benchmark for the kind of impact the Fire expect from him each season.
Looking ahead, the 2025 outlook for Mueller and Chicago Fire centers on consistency in the final third and a push toward the MLS Cup Playoffs. His ability to deliver goals and assists from the wing remains central to the team’s attacking plans for the year.