The Fire began the regular season with a 1–1 tie on March 17, 2012 when they were hosted by the expansion team Montreal Impact in their first Major League Soccer home game.

The Men in Red concluded the regular season hosting D.C. United at the Toyota Park on October 27, 2012.

The team was eliminated from the playoffs after a 1–2 home loss to Houston Dynamo in the Knockout Round match on October 31, 2012.

Over the course of 32 matches played this season, Pause has accumulated only 11 fouls and no yellow or red cards.

It is believed Chicago maintains the MLS rights to Carlos Bocanegra and Freddie Ljungberg, as each of these players declined contract offers by the club and signed overseas on free transfers[citation needed].