Hey, soccer fans! Welcome back to Feed the Fire. This week, Nick recaps the Chicago Fire's road draw in New England in what way a rainy, sloppy match. Even with Cuypers' early goal, the Men in Red couldn't complete the road victory, conceding to Nacho Gil in first half stoppage time. Nick also looks ahead to the Fire's next match: a difficult road test at Mercedes-Benz Stadium against the Five Strips of Atlanta United. With Almada and Giakoumakis back from international duty, the Fire backline w...
Mar 26, 2024•41 min•Ep. 8
Hey, soccer fans! What a victory from the Chicago Fire! The luck of the Irish was at Soldier Field this St. Patty's Day weekend as the Men in Red came from two goals down to shock their Canadian rivals. Goals from Maren Haile-Selassie, Brian Gutierrez, Hugo Cuypers, and Kellyn Acosta shocked the crowd and their opponents ... despite the poor play of the team for most of the game. Nick's takes on the game will surely sober up a few fans.In the second half, we look ahead to the Fire's match agains...
Mar 19, 2024•42 min•Ep. 7
Hey, soccer fans! Nick is back breaking down yet another early season loss by the Chicago Fire, this time at the hands (or feet?) of the defending MLS Cup Champions, the Columbus Crew. Tune in to hear about the goals, what went wrong, and a breakdown of the stats. The Men In Red quickly turn their attention to the upcoming match against CF Montreal. Nick gives you the players to watch for the visitors and how the Fire can notch their first win of the season. Montreal is playing well, but being o...
Mar 12, 2024•42 min•Ep. 6
Hey, soccer fans! The Chicago Fire have returned to red, but they have not returned to winning. Nick breaks down all the highlights, lowlights, and statistics from the Men in Red’s home opener against FC Cincinnati. The defending Supporters’ Shield winners used a bit of luck, a bit of skill, and a bit of bad officiating to spoil the Fire’s first home match of the season. Nick gives you the glass half full and glass half empty view of all main themes of the match. In the second half, Nick preview...
Mar 05, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 5
Hey, soccer fans! Nick is back and spittin’ Fire! In this episode, we begin with a recap of the Men in Red’s season opening draw to the Philadelphia Union. Nick questions some of the lineup decisions and the transition defense, but all things considered, is happy with a point on the road to a perennial Eastern Conference power. He also discussed the step forward homegrown attacking midfielder Brian Gutierrez took in this match. We also preview the Chicago Fire’s home opener against FC Cincinnati...
Feb 27, 2024•53 min•Ep. 4
Hey, soccer fans! It’s officially official: the Chicago Fire have returned to Red! Listen in as Nick describes his night as a VIP guest of the club. Don’t forget to find all his photos and videos from the night posted to social media, and see for yourself DaMarcus Beasley, Dave Baldwin, Sparky, and the Return to Red Kit. The Chicago Fire also wrapped up their pre-season with results on the pitch and roster moves. Our host breaks down the official signings of Hugo Cuypers and Kellyn Acosta, the t...
Feb 20, 2024•49 min•Ep. 3
Hey, soccer fans! We at Feed the Fire have been very busy, and so has the Chicago Fire Football Club. Our very own host, Nick, is invited to the Chicago Fire kit launch where DaMarcus Beasley - the living Fire legend - will host the Return to Red ceremony. Be sure to follow along on all our social media pages to see all of Nick's photos and videos from the reveal. We also look at the latest, soon-to-be announced acquisition of the Men in Red: Kellyn Acosta. Nick gives a complete breakdown of Aco...
Feb 13, 2024•35 min•Ep. 2
Hey, soccer fans! They finally did it! The Chicago Fire signed a new, Designated Player striker. While not formally announced at this time, the deal is all but done. The Men in Red are set to welcome Hugo Cuypers of Belgium as their next star striker! But is the optimism too early? We take a deep dive into Cuypers' history, provide a scouting report - both good and bad - and explain what to expect from this late-blooming goal-scorer. In the 2nd half, our host Nick recaps his meet-and-greet with ...
Feb 06, 2024•52 min•Ep. 1
Hey, soccer fans! We're back with more Chicago Fire news and opinions as the Men in Red continue their pre-season play. The Fire rolled to a 5-1 victory vs. Loudon United before drawing the New York Red Bulls 2-2 and witnessing an Emil Forsberg worldie. Tune in as our host gives you his thoughts and takeaways from these matches. We also react to Brian Gutierrez latest interview ,where he talks being a dual national and the prospect of playing for USSF and FMF. In the second half of the show, Nic...
Jan 30, 2024•41 min•Ep. 72
Hey, soccer fans! Welcome back to Feed the Fire, where our host is fired up about Frank Klopas' new staff. He bring in new assistant coaches - Paulo Nagamura and Carlos Garcia - two coaches without any success at the MLS level, and sees the need for two video analysts. At least he kept Zach Thornton. In the 2nd half of the show, we look at the meniscus injury to starting CB Carlos Teran, provide out takes on the movement of Chicago Sports teams and their stadiums, and review the MLS Transfer Tra...
Jan 23, 2024•40 min•Ep. 71
Hey, soccer fans! Welcome back to Feed the Fire. In today's show, our host dives into the rosters for the USMNT's January Camp and friendly vs. Slovenia, as well as the Chicago Fire's Pre-Season Training Camp roster. Tune in as Nick gives him takes on what to expect from each team, how he'll evaluate the camps, and what to look for as they approach their next match. Remember to rate, review, and share the show. Let's go, Fire! Twitter - Facebook...
Jan 16, 2024•58 min•Ep. 70
Hey, soccer fans! The Chicago Fire have started the new year with a number of transfers to solidify their backline. Tune in as Nick gives his take on reported incoming right back Allan Arigoni from FC Lugano and center back Tobias Salquist from Silkeborg IF. These two will certainly help the depth of the squad without breaking the bank, but will they move the needle any closer to making the playoffs and competing for trophies? Nick also analyzes the depth chart for the Men in Red proposed by MLS...
Jan 09, 2024•35 min•Ep. 69
Hey, soccer fans! The Chicago Fire's 2024 MLS schedule was announced, and Nick takes a dive into the not-so-favorable hand the Men in Red have been dealt. The schedule is front-loaded with top Eastern Conference teams, and the non-conference matchups could be tricky. The Fire do close the season with a softer slate of games, but will they be in any condition to take advantage of it? In the next segment, Nick shares his notes from a webinar with USMNT assistant BJ Callaghan. Coach Callaghan gives...
Jan 02, 2024•35 min•Ep. 68
Ho ho ho, soccer fans! Hope you all had a Merry Christmas and are looking forward to the New Year! The soccer news certainly hasn't slowed down during the holidays. US Soccer responded to the MLS' sending of MLS Next Pro teams to the US Open Cup with a simple rejection, and MLS had to issue a rebuttal to save face. The back-and-forth is encouraging for fans and soccer purists, and hopefully will serve to better the working relationship between the two soccer powers in the United States. Tune in ...
Dec 26, 2023•37 min•Ep. 67
Hey, soccer fans! What a week it's been for MLS news, and we've got it all in tonight's episode. Nick gives his candid takes on all new league initiatives and competition rules, dissects the MLS decision to withdraw its 1st teams from the US Open Cup, breaks down the Concacaf Champions Cup bracket, and summarizes the Chicago Fire's SuperDraft picks. You're going to want to get comfortable for this one. Remember to rate, review, and share the show. Let's go, Fire! Twitter -...
Dec 20, 2023•55 min•Ep. 66
Hey, soccer fans! Tonight's episode is all about the money! The Chicago Fire have renewed their partnership with Magellan, and they even have a new kit sponsor - FINALLY! Tune in for Nick's takes on what the club can do with the money, and what he thinks of Carvana and the Chicago Fire forming a new partnership. Our host also discusses the latest transfer for the Men in Red: a trade with the Colorado Rapids sending Miguel Navarro and $450,000 in GAM to the Western Conference club, and bringing b...
Dec 13, 2023•30 min•Ep. 65
Hey, soccer fans! The Chicago Fire is moving backward as a club after announcing that Frank Klopas will the be next head coach ... again. This is Klopas' fourth or fifth (who can keep track!?) time as the leader of the team, and the hiring is proof that the Chicago Fire as an organization are not prioritizing winning. Frank brings a mediocre resume to the Fire, with an overall coaching record of just above .500 and a reputation for losing the locker room. Tune in as our host reads the press anno...
Dec 06, 2023•28 min•Ep. 64
Hey, soccer fans! Fresh off the contact extensions of front office executives Georg Heitz and Sebastian Pelzer, the Chicago Fire have started making off-season moves. They announced their options on players and even made a signing! Listen as our host breaks down the players that remain on the Men in Red, why they were mostly expected, and how the new transfer in - Tom Barlow, formerly of New York Red Bulls - will affect the roster construction. Nick also discusses the latest statement from defen...
Nov 29, 2023•45 min•Ep. 63
Hey, soccer fans! We're going international once again as the Concacaf Nations League finishes its quarterfinals. There were some surprising results as we saw Panama defeat Costa Rica, the USMNT defeat Trinidad & Tobago, and Jamaica defeat Canada. Join our host, Nick, as he takes a deeper dive into the struggles of the Americans in their knockout round matchup. The Chicago Fire also managed to create some news this week in the form of a transfer rumor - Colombian Harold Preciado currently of...
Nov 22, 2023•34 min•Ep. 62
Hey, soccer fans! Pinch me, I must be dreaming - or is it a nightmare!? The Chicago Fire have extended the contracts of Sporting Director Georg Heitz and Technical Director Sebastian Pelzer. On the one hand, owner Joe Mansueto must really love the internal developments from Heitz and Pelzer - training facilities, youth investments, corporate culture, Lugano success. On the other hand, the on-the-field product has regressed to point of fan apathy and the sense of tone-deafness from the club. Nick...
Nov 15, 2023•31 min•Ep. 61
Hey, soccer fans! Should the Fire sign Robert Lewandowski? Nick doesn't think it's a good idea for the club despite the great improvement he'd bring to the strikers on this squad. Make sure you tune in to hear his takes on the financial and roster building implications that would affect the Men in Red should they sign the Bayern Munich legend. Nick also keeps you up to date on the MLS Cup Playoffs and the results from Round One. Matt Miazga may be a crazy person, Atlanta United found their offen...
Nov 08, 2023•42 min•Ep. 60
Hey, soccer fans! The 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs are underway, and there's been no shortage of goals and excitement. The home team won every match but one (SKC/STL UPSET ALERT!), and the teams are ramping up for the 2nd match of their best-of-three series. There'll be plenty of action as the playoffs move forward - who's your pick to win?Even through the Fire haven't done any business this young offseason, there's still plenty to talk about. How would you feel if the league folded the club? Orrin Sch...
Oct 31, 2023•33 min•Ep. 59
MLS Decision Day has come and gone, and once again the Fire are left out. The Men In Red needed a win at NYCFC, but came out disengaged and uninspired. The Pigeons of NYC bested the Men in Red 1-0, but neither team ended up making the MLS Cup Playoffs. Tune in for the recap and the beginning of an off-season long look at the Chicago Fire's players and coaches. Our host also gives you his picks and predictions for the MLS Cup Playoffs. Listen to the full show to see whether he picks chalk and wha...
Oct 24, 2023•39 min•Ep. 58
Hey, soccer fans! The Chicago Fire are on international break, but there's plenty to talk about with Major League Soccer releasing their 22 Under 22 list of the best young players. See where the Fire's young stars Brian Gutierrez and Chris Brady placed, and who could be on the list for the Men In Red's in the future. Nick also gives his reaction to the fan reactions for the United States Men's National Team friendly vs. Germany - a disappointing 3-1 loss. We must remember that this game was only...
Oct 17, 2023•39 min•Ep. 57
Hey, soccer fans! The Chicago Fire played two important matches in the same week with the same starting lineup with the same playoff stakes - and the results couldn't have been more different. Tune in as we celebrate the highs of the victory over Inter Miami and commiserate during the lows of the loss to Charlotte. This two game stretch really showed up what's wrong with the club from top to bottom. Along the way, Nick also shares stories from coaching his son's U8 team, and his own run-in with ...
Oct 10, 2023•53 min•Ep. 56
Hey, soccer fans! So you're saying there's a chance? With the Chicago Fire's victory over the New York Red Bulls this weekend, they move one place closer to an Eastern Conference Wild Card spot. Georgios Koutsias provided the game-winner from a surprisingly well placed free kick from Xerdan Shaqiri. Tune in as our host discusses the game winner, breaks down the stats, and examines what kind of striker Koutsias can develop into. We also analyze the play of Wyatt Omsberg and Carlos Teran - and loo...
Oct 03, 2023•47 min•Ep. 55
Hey, soccer fans! The Chicago Fire embarrassed themselves against the Columbus Crew, but salvaged a point against the New England Revolution to *technically* stay in playoff contention. In this episode, we examine some of the storylines and stats from these two matches. In the second half of the show, our host reviews the standings and the playoff positions of each team. Your Men in Red are in a unique position with four remaining games against teams that are at or below or at them in the standi...
Sep 26, 2023•49 min•Ep. 54
Hey, soccer fans! Once again the Chicago Fire traveled to the Great White North against what looked to be an inferior opponent, and once again they return to the Windy City with a single point. The Men in Red underwhelmed offensively and relied on young-star goalkeeper Chris Brady to preserve the goalless draw. Tune in as Nick looks at the lineup issues and breaks down the match stats. In the second half of the show, we preview the Fire's next match: a midweek meeting with the Columbus Crew. Nic...
Sep 19, 2023•40 min•Ep. 53
Hey, Fire fans! I hope you enjoyed the international break - and I hope the Chicago Fire took advantage of it, too. Will the time off be enough to snap a 4-game losing streak? Tune in as Nick breaks down the players, formations, and tactics he expects to see when the Men in Red travel to their neighbors to the north. The Fire had a great game against CF Montreal in July, but these are two teams that have trended in different directions since then. Who do you think takes the three points? In the ...
Sep 12, 2023•32 min•Ep. 52
Hey, soccer fans! The Chicago Fire are approaching rock bottom after losing to the Vancouver Whitecaps and DC United in the same week. Tune in as we break down the statistics for each game and discuss the complete failure of the Fire to operate like a professional club. The organization has no leaders-on or off the pitch, there's rumors of in-fighting, and the players forget the basics of the game when the step onto the field. In the second half of the show, Nick does a film session on the DC Un...
Sep 05, 2023•46 min•Ep. 51
