Hey, soccer fans! The Chicago Fire marketing team called it the hottest night of the summer, I call it an embarrassment. The Men in Red looked to put up a fight against Inter Miami, but an own-goal by Tobias Salquist quickly changed the mood, and the home team was never really in the game after that. Tune in for our host's commentary of the goals, the statistics, and the impact of this match on the Chicago Fire's season. In the second half of the show, Nick reviews the USMNT roster for upcoming ...
Sep 03, 2024•42 min•Ep. 110
Hey, soccer fans! Don't call it a comeback? Yes, it was absolutely a comeback for the Chicago Fire in New York! Both teams should be ashamed of how they played during this match, but the visiting Men in Red, take home a point from Citi Field and NYCFC after a late goal by Hugo Cuypers and a stoppage time winner from the PK spot by Brian Gutierrez. Tune in as Nick breaks down the plays, the stats, and what it means for the Fire's spot in the Eastern Conference standings. In the second half of the...
Aug 27, 2024•38 min•Ep. 109
Hey, soccer fans! There's no place like home - and Nick is back home from vacation to Greece to recap all the Chicago Fire news from the summer transfer window. Most notably, Xerdan Shaqiri parts ways with the Men in Red and returns home to sign with FC Basel in Switzerland. Nick looks back on the tenure of the "Swiss Magician" in Chicago and what it meant for the club. Also, we explore the news of Sporting Director Georg Heitz announcing he's stepping down from the Fire after the season. In the...
Aug 22, 2024•41 min•Ep. 108
Hey, soccer fans! In this special episode, Nick gives a brief history of the US Open Cup - the oldest soccer tournament in the United States, and one of the oldest in the world. He gives you the general history, the qualification and tournament process, and highlights the winningest teams and players with the most goals. He also discusses the recent controversy surrounding Major League Soccer's decision to not send their senior teams, and why there's more to it than just MLS trying to kill busin...
Aug 14, 2024•31 min•Ep. 107
Hey, soccer fans! The Chicago Fire are out of Leagues Cup and have a couple weeks off to relax, rest, and get healthy before a mad sprint to try to make the MLS Cup Playoffs. In this episode, we look at their remaining schedule, how they stack up in the standings, and if there are any transfers out there that could bolster their ranks this summer. Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder . Join the conversation on social med...
Aug 07, 2024•25 min•Ep. 106
Hey, soccer fans! The Chicago Fire were eliminated from Leagues Cup 2024 after losing to Toluca 3-1 at Seat Geek Stadium in Bridgeview. Despite the poor result and poor performance, there were a few positive takeaways from this "mid-season pre-season." Our host breaks down what he saw and shares a few personal stories along the way. In the second half of the show, Nick gives his thoughts about the USMNT's performance at the Paris Olympic Games. Despite getting to the knock-out rounds for the fir...
Aug 03, 2024•29 min•Ep. 105
Hey, soccer fans! We're back with more Chicago Fire talk as we recap the Men in Red's loss to Sporting KC in their Leagues Cup opener. The Fire went ahead on a sweet strike by Koutsias, only to be beat by Castellanos and Agada of Kansas City later in the match. We analyze what the match can tell us about the remainder of the Chicago Fire's season. In the second half, Nick reads his favorite quotes from a recent Crain's article that interviewed Fire owner Joe Mansueto and Chicago Red Stars Presid...
Jul 30, 2024•42 min•Ep. 104
Hey, soccer fans! Nick is back with a quick, unscripted episode commenting on all the action from around the American soccer landscape. He gives his thoughts on MLS All-Star Week, looks ahead to the Leagues Cup, reacts to Matt Doyle's comments on the Chicago Fire, and touches on the United States' Olympic soccer schedule. Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder . Join the conversation on social media: Twitter - Facebook - I...
Jul 26, 2024•25 min•Ep. 103
Hey, soccer fans! The Chicago Fire took a trip to South Beach to face a Messi-less Inter Miami team but could not come back with a win. The Men in Red continue to play lethargic, uninspiring soccer, and fall to the Herons 2-1. Our host does not hold back in his criticism of the players and coaching staff, and gives his live reactions to Manager Frank Klopas' post-game comments. In the second half of the show, Nick discusses headlines from the Chicago Fire organization - a Fan-First Guarantee if ...
Jul 23, 2024•51 min•Ep. 102
Hey, soccer fans! The Chicago Fire pulled off an improbable win against league leading FC Cincinnati during their midweek matchup. Despite a decent start, the Men in Red looked lethargic at times, reminiscent of recent sub-par performances. But a bad back-pass from Kip Keller led to a Hugo Cuypers fast break, and the Belgian DP was able to slide a pass to Brian Gutierrez who scored from 6 yards out. It was all the Fire would need to secure only their 2nd road win of the season. In the second hal...
Jul 19, 2024•35 min•Ep. 101
Hey, soccer fans! Over the weekend, the Chicago Fire participated in another match. They went through the motions of a starting lineup, and their opponent - New York City FC - seemed perfectly content to also "mail it in." The result was a boring 90min of scoreless soccer. Tune in as Nick gives his reactions to the play, the players, and the stats. In the second half of the show, he previews the next match for the Men in Red, an away-day to FC Cincinnati. A meeting with the current Supporters' S...
Jul 16, 2024•31 min•Ep. 100
Hey, soccer fans! Forget about the last match, the Fire are back in action this weekend against New York City FC. Your Men in Red take on the Pigeons from the blue side of New York in a match where the home team is desperate for points and the away team is trying to push toward the top of the Eastern Conference table. Listen in as Nick and special guest Anthony discuss the upcoming match and give their predictions. In the second half of the show, our hosts discuss the breaking news of the USMNT ...
Jul 11, 2024•26 min•Ep. 99
Hey, soccer fans! Ever think Simon & Garfunkel would apply to Major League Soccer? Well, Chicago Fire fans understand the darkness the club is in currently. They Fire have now lost to the worst team in both conferences, recently falling 1-0 in an uninspiring and lazy game in San Jose. The Earthquakes were the worst defensive team in the league, and the Fire - through a combination of lazy play, bad tactics, and lack of talent - couldn't find the back of the net. Tune in as Nick breaks down t...
Jul 09, 2024•32 min•Ep. 98
Hey, Fire fans! Can you believe that win against the Union? If I hadn't watched it myself, I might not believe it either. With a sleepy start to the match, trading first half goals, and some sloppy defensive play, the Fire looked to squander another opportunity against the struggling Philadelphia Union. However, energy from second half subs, a Union team that dropped into a defensive shell, and some good luck swung fate in favor of the Men in Red. Tune in for all the emotion, the goals, and the ...
Jul 04, 2024•39 min•Ep. 97
Hey, soccer fans! The Chicago Fire have started another streak - a losing streak. After taking the lead on a Maren Heile-Selassie strike, the Men in Red concede two second half penalty kicks to blow yet another lead and remain at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. An early injury to Carlos Teran and sub-par play from Jonathan Dean and Rafael Czichos allowed Seattle to turn momentum, and the lack of coaching adjustments from Klopas & Co. allowed Seattle to keep the momentum. Tune...
Jul 02, 2024•25 min•Ep. 96
Hey, soccer fans! The Chicago Fire look to bounce back this weekend against a Seattle Sounders team making it's way up the Western Conference standings. Tune in as Nick looks at the players, stats, and tactics that set apart this Seattle team and make them a dangerous opponent. In the second half of the show, Nick gives his instant reactions to the USMNT's loss vs. Panama in the Copa America. From Weah's red card, to the lackadaisical defense, to the must-win situation ahead, join the conversati...
Jun 28, 2024•26 min•Ep. 95
Hey, soccer fans! Copa American 2024 is in full swing, and the first round of games is in the books. Tune in as our host, Nick, looks at the trends so far and the performances by favorites like Argentina, Colombia, and Brazil. He also takes a deeper dive into the USMNT's performance against Bolivia. Despite the 2-0 victory behind goals from Christian Pulisic and Falorin Balogun, the Yanks will look for a better performance against familiar Concacaf opponent Panama. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder...
Jun 27, 2024•23 min•Ep. 94
00:00 - Intro; 1:04 - Announcements; 4:16 - Orlando City Reactions; 10:54 - Lineup and Tactics; 16:08 - Stats; 21:04 - John Donovan Follow the Fire on SportSpyder . Join the conversation on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube...
Jun 25, 2024•33 min•Ep. 93
Hey, soccer fans! What a weekend to be a Fire fan! The Men in Red put on their best performance of the season picking apart their rivals from north of the border. Chicago dismantled the Toronto defense on their way to a 4-1 victory. This means the Chicago Fire are on a 4 game point streak and a 2 game win streak! We’re back, baby! (Ok, we’re still in 11th place, but 11th place never felt so good!) Join our host as he recaps the victory, relives the goals, and breaks down the stats. In the second...
Jun 18, 2024•47 min•Ep. 92
Hey, soccer fans! Did you enjoy the bye week? I certainly hope the Chicago Fire took the week off to rest, reset, and prepare for their next stretch of away games. Their next match is a difficult but not impossible one at Toronto. While first year manager John Herdman has improved The Reds from last season, they will be without starters Federico Bernardeschi and Nicsoen Gomis due to red card suspensions. I think the Men in Red come home with a 2-1 victory, but they can't take a step back from th...
Jun 11, 2024•38 min•Ep. 91
Hey, soccer fans! Don't look know, the Chicago Fire on a point streak! The Men in Red have taken 5 points in their last 3 games, capped off by a win over Western Conference opponent Los Angeles Galaxy. Hugo Cuypers has been in form, Brian Gutierrez has stepped up his game, and Chris Brady has continued his quality play.In this episode, we take a look at the Fire's fine run of form, point out some of the flaws they need to fix if they're going to make a push for the playoffs, and have some fun sh...
Jun 04, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 90
Hey, soccer fans! It was a road point in the nation's capital for the beleaguered Men in Red. Yes, the Chicago Fire did just enough to earn a 1-1 draw against DC United and give themselves and their fans a sliver of hope. Defender Carlos Teran successfully held star striker Christian Benteke in check, while Andrew Gutman created opportunities for the visitors - including starting the play that led to Kellyn Acosta's equalizer. Can the Fire turn this into a point streak? They'll have a mid-week g...
May 28, 2024•54 min•Ep. 18
Hey, soccer fans! Over the weekend, the Chicago Fire lost again, this time to reigning MLS Cup Champions, the Columbus Crew, by a score of 3-1. The Carlos Teran goal was the lone highlight for the Men in Red who have nothing working. Stay tuned as our host looks back at the match, gives his impressions - both positive and negative - and breaks down the stats. He also recaps the post-game interviews with Chris Brady and Fabian Herbers, and does a listen-in on manager Frank Klopas' post-game press...
May 21, 2024•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 17
Hey, soccer fans! The Fire once again lack offense, defense, or any idea what they're doing on the pitch - and it results in a 3-1 loss at the hands of new MLS rival St. Louis CITY SC. Hugo Cuypers does get a goal, but very little else happens in favor of the Men in Red. Tune in as Nick looks at the goals, stats, and gives his instant reaction to head coach Frank Klopas' post game press conference. Nick also takes the tie to look at the Chicago Fire's next two opponents - Charlotte FC and the Co...
May 14, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 16
Hey, soccer fans. Remember all that positivity from last week? Well, it's nearly gone. The Chicago Fire lose 1-0 to the worst team in Major League Soccer, the New England Revolution. There's really nothing new to say about the miserable performance of the team: No offense, no goals, defensive lapses, poor individual play, non-existent tactics and coaching... In the second half of the show, we preview the Fire's next loss ... er, match against St. Louis City SC. The Western Conference rival is si...
May 07, 2024•56 min•Ep. 15
Hey, soccer fans! No more negativity (at least for this episode). The Chicago Fire came out with a purpose against an Atlanta United team who thought they would stroll into Solider Field, make quick work of the Men in Red, and stroll out with three points. The Fire's stout defense and quick counter-attacks kept the Five Stripes from getting on the score sheet - and some highlight-reel saves from Fire GK Chris Brady certainly helped. The two teams split the points and look for more next weekend. ...
Apr 30, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 13
Hey, soccer fans! Welcome back to Feed the Fire! In this episode, we take a look back at the misery of the Men in Red’s latest loss - a 4-0 embarrassment to Real Salt Lake. The Fire looked dysfunctional while MLS MVP candidate Chicago Arrango had a night to remember with 2 goals and 2 assists. Injuries pile up for the Fire, goals pile up against them, and the coaching staff has lost the locker room and respect of the players. In the second half of the show, Nick previews the Fire’s next opponent...
Apr 23, 2024•38 min•Ep. 12
Hey, soccer fans! Tell me if you've heard this one before: The Chicago Fire are unable to get their offense going and take advantage of an opportunity to steal points. Well, it happened again at Red Bull Arena. The Men In Red had a man advantage for almost an hour but were unable to create any offense against a home side that was perfectly content to watch the Fire pass the ball harmlessly around the pitch. Tune in as Nick analyzes the various storylines and stats from another underwhelming perf...
Apr 16, 2024•47 min•Ep. 11
Hey, soccer fans! Are things heating up in Chicago? The weather is improving and so is the play from the Men in Red. This weekend we saw Xerdan Shaqiri and Brian Gutierrez score to give the home team a much needed three points. Head coach Frank Klopas tweaked the lineup, and it seemed to work against a Houston Dynamo team playing on the road, in a 4-3-3 formation, without start midfielder Hector Herrera. Tune in as we break down the goals, the stats, and whether the Fire can keep the good times ...
Apr 09, 2024•50 min•Ep. 10
Hey, soccer fans! The Chicago Fire traveled to Atlanta United for a difficult match, and made it even more difficult with their uninspiring play. Tune in as Nick breaks down the player performances, coaching blunders, and statistical analysis of the match. He also examines where Fire fans should place the blame for the poor form that's been plaguing the Men in Red for what seems like years. After our segment from featured guest John Donovan, we can put the last result behind us. Our host moves o...
Apr 02, 2024•53 min•Ep. 9
