Feed the Fire: A Chicago Fire Podcast

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 o...

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 s...

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 playof...

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 se...

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 s...

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...

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 Color...

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 j...

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...

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 cre...

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-f...

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...

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 offse...

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...

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 Nat...

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 botto...

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 str...

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 u...

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 seco...

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 th...

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...

Hey, soccer fans! Tell me if you've heard this one before... Yes, the Fire lose again after missing early opportunities, making some boneheaded plays, mentally check out, then spend most of the match chasing the game and the opposing players. This time the Men in Red fell 3-0 to a Los Angeles Galaxy team not know for offense and not known for clean sheets. Tune in to hear how it all went down and...

Hey, Fire fans! Did this weekend feel familiar? Was it deja vu all over again? The Chicago Fire lost to Orlando City SC 3-1 for the second time this season, and their same offensive and defensive woes were on full display. In today's episode, we look at how Brian Gutierrez and Georgos Koutsias need to play better and diagnose some of their poor, individual moments. We also look at the coaching per...

Hey, Fire fans and MLS fans! Are you sick of Leagues Cup yet? I know you aren't, but many Liga MX fans are - even their coaches have heavily criticized the tournament due to travel, scheduling, refereeing and Messi favoritism. Tune in for our rebuttal and to hear where they actually may have some merit. Our host also looks at the Chicago Fire players entering free agency at the end of the season:...

Hey, Fire fans! What a way to go out in Leagues Cup! Przybylko misses a sitter and moments later Gimenez scores an own goal. The Fire were once again victims of their old habits - playing desperate defense and failing to create anything on offense. While Club America looked frustrated at times during the second half, they were soundly in control of the match. Tune in as we discuss the lineup choic...