Feed the Fire: A Chicago Fire Podcast

Hey, soccer fans! Nick is back after a whirlwind week encompassing four different interviews. Be sure to check out The Designated Players Podcast, News Across the Galaxy, Battered MLS Fans, and The Wisemen Say Podcast for all of Nick's latest appearances and his spreading the knowledge of the Men in Red across the league. In this episode, we recap the Chicago Fire's pre-season performances and loo...

Hey, soccer fans! Nick is back talking Chicago Fire roster moves and pre-season lineups. The Men in Red continue to make signings to add depth to their lineup and the organization. This past week the club welcomes Omar Gonzalez and Claudio Cassano and saw the arrival of Jonathan Bamba to the training pitch. The Fire have yet to score in two pre-season matches, and the players are still getting use...

Hey, soccer fans! No news from the Chicago Fire this week, so we're looking big picture around Major League Soccer. Specifically, we're breaking down the new and improved Leagues Cup format where teams compete in ranked tiers against the opposing league for a berth in the knockout rounds. We also take a look at the possibility of MLS changing its schedule to align with the international calendar....

Hey, soccer fans! The MLS sesaon is just around the corner, and the clubs have learned which North American cup competitions they'll be participating in. Tune in as our host breaks down the qualifying criteria and rounds up where each club will be playing. Whether Concacaf Champsions Cup, Leagues Cup, US Open Cup, or the Canadian Championship, be sure to support your squad. In the second half of t...

Hey, soccer fans, welcome back to Feed the Fire. We've got updates on Neymar, Rominigue Kouame, Robert Turdean, Federico Navarro, and Arnaud Souquet - so grab a drink, get comfortable, and tune in for the entire episode! We also get caught up with the new of MLS Next's expansion and the ever-widening talent net in America. What do you think of the roster moves? Do you like the expansion of MLS Nex...

Hey, soccer fans! Do you feel like dancing? Amidst the Neymar transfer talk, the Chicago Fire have signed winger Jonathan Bamba to a Designated Player contract. Bamba comes to the Fire after two season with La Liga side Celta de Vigo, previously playing in Belgium and France. The Ivory Coast international will play a key role in providing service to Hugo Cuypers and sparking the Fire's attack. Our...

Hey, soccer fans! By now you've heard the reports that the Chicago Fire are in talks with Brazilian superstar Neymar - yes, that Neymar. There's been a lot of rumors and memes about it, but Nick has the latest info on the potential blockbuster deal. He also breaks down the advantages Neymar brings to the Men in Red and Major League Soccer, as well as discusses the drawbacks to signing a 32 year ol...

Hey, soccer fans! Does anyone at the Chicago Fire take a day off? The club recently announced two new signings, both defenders that are sure to bolster the backline for the 2025 season. First, the Men in Red have signed Sam Rogers, a player that Gregg Berhalter gave a USMNT appearance in 2023. He has proven himself a solid player in Norway and USL, and hopefully his game will translate to Major Le...

Hey, soccer fans! New year, new Chicago Fire! The club has been extremely busy in 2025 in building out the attack. Our host Nick provides an update on the transfer fee for new winger Philip Zinckernagel, and how it has allowed Berhalter & Co. to pursue another high level winger, Frenchman Gaetan Perrin. Perrin is a star for French club Auxerre, helping them win promotion to Ligue 1 this season...

Hey, soccer fans! The Chicago Fire gave their fans a late Christmas present, announcing the signing of Danish winger Philip Zinckernagel. Zinckernagel comes to the Fire from Club Brugge, has a winning pedigree across several European leagues, and will be expected to generate offense and opportunities for Hugo Cuypers. Zinckernagel signed a four-year, TAM deal with the Men in Red, allowing them to...

Hey, soccer fans! The Chicago Fire house cleaning continues under new Director of Sport and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter. This time, defense Tobias Salquist is on the outs, being transferred to FC Nordsjaelland of the Danish Superliga. Salquist will likely not be missed - he only appeared in 14 matches due to injuries - and when he played, looked like he could not keep up with the pace and physicali...

Hey, soccer fans! The Chicago Fire delivered a Christmas present to fans in the form of mutually parting ways with Gaston Gimenez. The Designated Player was a symbol of underperformance and burdensome contracts for the last five years, and by mutually terminating the contract, Gregg Berhalter & Co. have opened up a second DP spot and saved their one-time buyout (Heads up, Arnaud Souquet.) Our...

Hey, soccer fans! Thanks for joining our MLS Scheduling Show Spectacular! Major League Soccer has released its 2025 schedule, and we're taking a look at how the season will go - noting how the Coachella Invitational, Concacaf Champions Cup, and Leagues Cup will fit in. In the second half, Nick takes a deep dive into the Chicago Fire's season, pointing out his most anticipated match-ups and identif...

Hey, soccer fans! The Chicago Fire made their first signing of the off-season, inking former Philadephia Union defender Jack Elliott to a one-year deal with an option. The Englishment brings a wealth of MLS experience, solid defending, and a bit of an offensive threat to the Second City. With the centerback position likely secure, where will the Men in Red turn next? Nick also breaks down the play...

Hey, soccer fans! We have a treat for you in tonight's episode. Tune in to hear Nick's conversation with Chicago Fire Head Coach and Director of Sport Gregg Berhalter - admittedly, it was a public relations call, but a fun call nonetheless. Our host then reflects on San Diego FC's expansion draft and roster build. Also, MLS free agency is underway, and our host looks at the top free agents and whe...

Hey, soccer fans! The Los Angeles Galaxy are your 2024 MLS Cup Champions after defeating the New York Red Bulls 2-1. They even did it without Riqui Puig! We look at the status and recap the game action, but then ask the question: "Is this the start of a Galaxy dynasty?" Tune in for Nick's answers and to hear how the Galaxy's win could impact how the Chicago Fire approach the 2025 season....

Hey, soccer fans! The MLS Cup Final is set! The Los Angeles Galaxy are set to host the New York Red Bulls. Tune in as our host breaks down the expected game plan for each team and the impact players who will look to raise a trophy for their club. Even without an injured Riqui Puig, the Galaxy have a star-studded lineup. Meanwhile, the Red Bulls will have to play their pressing style to perfection....

Hey, soccer fans! Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you all find a reason to give thanks this week - and I am very thankful to be talking soccer with all of you. In tonight's episode, we address the rumors of Gregg Berhalter wanting to sign Aaron Long to the Chicago Fire. Would he be an upgrade to the Men in Red? Tune in for a statistical comparison with other Fire defenders. Nick also reviews all the of...

Hey, soccer fans! As we get ready to feast for Thanksgiving, tune in to our appetizer show talking aboutteh front office changes for the Chicago Fire and the coaching changes in Miami and Vancouver. Sebastian Pelzer is out as Technical Director but moves full time to a position with FC Lugano - the Fire's sister club in Switzerland. His tenure in Chicago was anything but a success on the pitch, bu...

Hey, soccer fans! Major League Soccer is in the post-season, but every team continues to make headlines. Wilfried Nancy wins Coach of the Year, Tata Martino departs Inter Miami for personal reasons, and Eric Quill takes over FC Dallas. Tune in as Nick gives you all the details. Also, we break down the Crain's Chicago Business articles with new details on the Chicago Fire's search for a new stadium...

Hey, soccer fans! It's international break, but the Chicago Fire are still making headlines. They've announced the firing of Chicago Fire II's head coach Ludovic Taillandier after three years in the position and five years with the club. Tune in as Nick's gives you his thoughts on this move and what it means for the organization. Nick also breaks down the United States' Nations League quarterfinal...

Hey, soccer fans! It's chaos in the Eastern Conference of the MLS Cup Playoffs. All three top seeds are out in the first round, and none in more spectacular for than Inter Miami. Their star players were more focused on gamesmanship, assaulting opposing players, and screaming at the referee than actually playing defense, costing them the chance at the Supporters' Shield - MLS Cup Double. Tune in fo...

Hey, soccer fans! Before the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs wraps up, we've got to talk coaching. The Chicago Fire hired former player Michael Stephens as Head of Recruitment and parted ways with assistant coaches Paulo Nagamura and Carlos Garcia. Tune in to hear the credentials of the coaches, why they were hired, and where the Men in Red can go from here. Our host also takes a look at all t...

Hey, soccer fans! The Chicago Fire are still making news even with the end of the MLS regular season. Chicago Fire II striker and Golden Boot winner David Poreba has been named MLS Next Pro MVP of the 2024 season. So why did he get any minutes with the senior team? Nick breaks down the reasons why. Nick also recaps the MLS Cup Playoffs, including the upsets, shoot-outs, and close results that have...

Hey, soccer fans! The MLS Cup Playoffs are in full swing, but we're still talking about the Chicago Fire. In this episode, Nick breaks down the Fire's roster decisions and takes a deep dive into the salaries of the players ,as recently released by the MLS Players Association. Which players were let go for financial reasons and which for their play - stay tuned to find out. In the 2nd half, Nick lo...