Alan is joined by Tim and DJ to recap the draw that ended the playoff dream for the 2024 Chicago Fire. First, the plan to save the Open Cup. Fire are still (tied for) Kings of the Cup. Justin Reynolds development. Johnny Dean scores his first MLS goal in classy fashion. The offseason starts now, as Frank Klopas believes the Fire are in a great place to take the next step. Fire take on Charlotte in a midweek away game. The 100th Episode SPECIAL is live this SUNDAY on Discord....
Oct 01, 2024•42 min
Alan is joined by Tim to talk about time being a flat circle as Frank Klopas and the Fire do it all over again in a loss to Club de Foot Montreal (Impact). This off-season is being called the biggest in club history. Fire face Toronto as the playoffs slip away in 2024 but the Wooden Spoon may also be out of reach. Join the MiR97 crew LIVE for Episode 100, details coming soon!
Sep 24, 2024•46 min
Tim is joined by DJ and Alex Calabrese to recap a loss in Nashville. First, the rumor mill is heating up with talk of the next Chicago head coach. Could former USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter be next in line? Later, the Fire are on the road north of the border to face Montreal.
Sep 20, 2024•36 min
Alan is joined by Tim and DJ to recap the game against the Red Bulls of New York. The Fire pulled off a dramatic win as Barlow nets his first goal in a red shirt and Koutsias finds a game winner. First, some news: Chicago deals "sicko" trade, Jhon Durán is lighting up the Prem, Koutsias impresses in international play. The Fire are traveling to Nashville, hoping not to once again be a spring board for a floundering side. Can Chicago keep the playoff hopes alive?
Sep 17, 2024•46 min
Alan is joined by DJ and Tim to recap what went wrong in a loss to DC in a blustery Toyota Park. Tim discusses the chances of Chicago making the playoffs. The Fire return to Solider Field to take on the Red Bulls of New York.
Sep 10, 2024•44 min
Alan is joined by Tim and DJ to discuss the recent loss to Inter Miami FC, where nothing seemed to go the way of the Fire. Later, DC United is slated to take on the Fire at SeatGeek Stadium on Saturday as both teams struggle near the bottom of the table.
Sep 03, 2024•54 min
Alan is joined by Tim and DJ to as they recap a surprise Fire draw from 2 down in Queens against the Pigeons of NYCFC. First, well that is first. Hugo Cuypers sparks magic and shows why he is the DP9. Jason Derulo headlines the next match on the lakefront, and Inter Miami will be there too.
Aug 27, 2024•38 min
Alan is joined by Tim and DJ to preview the upcoming match against NYCFC. First, the team recaps all of the news that broke during the team's break after their early League's Cup exit. Later, the guys share their outlook for the rest of the season as the Fire are still in the playoff race.
Aug 23, 2024•46 min
Alan, Tim and DJ join to react to the news of Chicago and Shaqiri agreeing to part ways. Former Fire Head Coach Ezra Hendrickson lands in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Ariel Lassiter joins for the remainder of the season.
Aug 17, 2024•21 min
Alan, Tim, Alex, and DJ discuss the announcement of the departure of Chicago Fire GM Georg Heitz, the legacy he leaves behind, and what may lie in the future for owner Joe Mansueto.
Aug 13, 2024•28 min
Alan is joined by DJ and Tim to review a Toluca League's Cup matchup that was marred by monsoon rain and Toluca goals. Xherdan Shaqiri is training with the club while agents look for a move. Later, the guys recap a Mansueto's worst season as owner as results on the field regress. The Bonfire returns August 20th.
Aug 03, 2024•1 hr 3 min
Alan is joined by Tim and DJ to recap the many international competitions Chicago players are taking part in. Later, the guys break down a disappointing start to the League's Cup that saw the Fire fall to Sporting Kansas City. Joe Mansueto mentions that the Fire want to play on grass if Bears move to turf. Chicago take on Toluca in the final League's Cup group stage match.
Jul 30, 2024•47 min
Alan is joined by Tim and DJ to break down the ways in which Inter Miami broke down the Fire. First, a young fire homegrown finds minutes on the international stage. Wyatt Omsberg goes down early, adding to injury woes. The Fire begin their League's Cup campaign Sunday 07/28 vs Sporting KC.
Jul 24, 2024•40 min
Alan is joined by DJ and Tim to discuss a stunning away win against the Supporters' Shield leaders (at the time). First, the Fire have named their new training center. MLS has created a new path for teams to construct younger rosters. Some transfer talk, more on the Summer Transfer Special! The Fire travel to Miami to face the newest leader of the Supporters' Shield race. https://meninred97.com/mls-announces-mid-season-roster-rule-changes/...
Jul 20, 2024•57 min•Season 2Ep. 30
John talks transfers with Alex and Tim as MLS's summer window opens. Will Shaqiri move back to Europe? Will Giménez return to Argentina? Who should be on the Fire's target list for this summer?
Jul 18, 2024•55 min
*Choking Hazard* Alan survives and is joined by DJ and Tim to reflect on a nil-nil draw against NYCFC that was technically a game of soccer. First, Shaqiri is coming back to Chicago after his final European tournament. However, there is no rush to integrate him back into the first team. Chico is suspended for the All-Star game. The Fire take on a weakened Cincinnati back line as points become increasingly important to keep Chicago's playoff hopes alive.
Jul 17, 2024•47 min•Season 2Ep. 29
Alan is joined by Tim and DJ to recount the Fire's unfruitful trip to San Jose. First, the guys lament that Brady and Guti didn't win a free trip to Paris, wonder where in the world Shaqiri might be. They then preview the Fire's final home game at Soldier for nearly two months.
Jul 13, 2024•49 min•Season 2Ep. 28
Alan is joined by Tim and DJ to recap the stunning comeback win over the Philadelphia Union. First, the crew discuss if any Fire players will be headed to the Olympic team. Shaqiri might come back to Chicago as roster rule changes look less likely. Chicago kickoff at 7:30 central time in San Jose this Sunday.
Jul 07, 2024•55 min•Season 2Ep. 27
Alan is joined by Tim and DJ to recap the Fire's recent trip to Seattle. First, the guys discuss the Fire's pipeline and which players may be moving up, down or out as the youngsters look for minutes and the first team looks for reinforcements. How will Teran's injury impact the first team? The Union visit Chicago as the Fire find themselves languishing in Wooden Spoon contention.
Jul 02, 2024•57 min•Season 2Ep. 26
Alan is joined by DJ and Tim to discuss the disappointing result on the road in Orlando. First, international tournaments abound. Shaqiri became the first MLS player to score in the Euros and Copa America is under way in the USA. Shaqiri hints at a move to Türkiye. In last place but only 3 points out of a playoff position, the Fire take on the Sounders in a pivotal road trip. Can Chicago get back in form before it's too late? https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-layla-kaszniak-after-her-tragic-los...
Jun 25, 2024•44 min•Season 2Ep. 25
Alan is joined by Tim and the best referee we know, Eray, to break down Chicago's win over Toronto that sent waves across MLS. First, the Euro's continue. Herbers and Klopas have Team of the Week performances. Chicago will look to extended their unbeaten run against a slumping Orlando team.
Jun 18, 2024•48 min•Season 2Ep. 24
Welcome back to The Bonfire! Today Alan is joined by DJ and Tim to discuss all the news that happened during the international break. The Red Stars broke attendance records playing in Wrigley, but they were recently booted for a weekend from their home ground. Shaqiri tells Europe he's ready to come back, and that raises a number of questions for Chicago. The US had a positive break and the results may impact some Fire homegrowns. Later, the crew breaks down the 2024 Toronto side as we preview t...
Jun 14, 2024•47 min•Season 2Ep. 23
Alan is joined by Tim and DJ to break down the Fire's recent defeat of the LA Galaxy. The International Break is upon us and there's one question to answer in cf97-land; will Shaq return from Switzerland? Anthony lit the match that sparked a return to Koutsias and his tucked in shirt. Has Frank Klopas found a solution in the 3-5-2?
Jun 04, 2024•57 min•Season 2Ep. 22
Alan is joined by DJ, Tim, and special Guest Eli Lesser to preview the LA Galaxy who travel to Chicago this Saturday. First, Gutierrez and Brady didn't get National team callups, but Sergio Oregel did! A STH message gaff from the front office. The Fire recover from a disaster in front of Brady's net to take a point from Orlando at home.
May 31, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Alan is joined by Tim, DJ, and special Guest Alex Calabrese to discuss the draw at DC United. First, the crew discusses the future of Shaqiri after he left the team early to travel to Switzerland to focus on the Euros. Later, we preview Orlando City's midweek visit to Chicago.
May 27, 2024•56 min
Alan is joined by DJ, Tim, and The Bonfire's mascot Larry the Shark because time is a flat circle and the Fire have lost again. First, the crew discusses FC Lugano's Swiss Cup Final and their qualification to the UEFA Conference League. Tim talks about Frank Klopas' mentality going into the next match away at DC United.
May 22, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 2Ep. 19
Alan is joined by Tim, DJ, and Jiggly to discuss another Fire loss. Today's conversation centers around frustration, what the Fire should do this summer in the transfer market, and what needs to happen to spark progress. Later, the Columbus Crew visit Soldier Field and the crew previews the match up.
May 18, 2024•59 min•Season 2Ep. 18
Alan is joined by DJ and Tim to discuss the loss to CITY in St. Louis. First, the dream of Jesse Marsch returning to Chicago to coach has been laid to rest for now. Charlotte visits Midweek in a game that the Fire need to use to begin digging out of their hole.
May 15, 2024•37 min•Season 2Ep. 17
Alan is joined by Tim and DJ for a discussion about what went wrong on Saturday when the New England Revolution visited Soldier Field. First, the news. Omari Glasgow debuts in a Fire kit while Magellan debuts on a Fire kit. Red Stars want to play in the city. The Fire are headed down I-55 to St. Louis as they look to win again in a budding Rivalry Week matchup.
May 09, 2024•1 hr•Season 2Ep. 16
Tim and Eray join Matt, Paul, and John on the latest episode of Hot Takes Live to hear from the community following the 3rd consecutive game without a Chicago Fire goal. The guys lament another week of Frank in charge and what it actually means to have a bad roster while Matt just can’t stop talking Gutman.
May 02, 2024•1 hr 23 min•Season 2Ep. 5
