The MLS Cup Playoffs are not hard to qualify for. Much like the NHL and NBA, if you're basically in the top half of teams, you're in. And to make things even less difficult, Major League Soccer and the National Basketball Association have both adopted a "play-in" format for those who don't make the postseason cut, to thus back door their way in. … [Read more...] about MLS Cup Playoffs Race: Older Franchises Flailing in Eastern Conference
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Life After Lionel Messi: How Will MLS Stay Relevant?
Whenever Lionel Messi comes to your town, it's an event- a MAJOR event. The local Major League Soccer franchise that is hosting the match against Messi and Inter Miami CF then moves the game from their soccer specific venue to the nearby NFL stadium. They have to, in order to meet the excess demand for tickets. Attendance for a match with Messi in it dwarfs the non-Messi … [Read more...] about Life After Lionel Messi: How Will MLS Stay Relevant?
Chicago Fire FC vs Inter Miami CF (with Lionel Messi) Match Preview
Third time is a charm, right? The first two times that Inter Miami came to Chicago, during the Lionel Messi era, the superstar winger was too injured to play. This time, however, it appears that the Chicago Fire FC faithful will finally get to see the Argentinian galactico (fingers crossed!) Miami of course still have to get through tonight's Concacaf Champions Cup bout with … [Read more...] about Chicago Fire FC vs Inter Miami CF (with Lionel Messi) Match Preview
Gregg Berhalter Rebuild of Chicago Fire FC Progressing Along Nicely
Media and fans are naturally programmed to always look ahead, and to do so with an eye on the big picture. Coaches and players take the opposite approach- they keep it micro. It's the most painfully shopworn cliche in all of sports- "taking it one game at a time," but that is the process. In his first job since the United States Men's National Team, manager Gregg Berhalter has … [Read more...] about Gregg Berhalter Rebuild of Chicago Fire FC Progressing Along Nicely
Gregg Berhalter Sees New Chicago Fire Training Center as Major Game-Changer
It's obviously very early days, but as it stands right now, the Chicago Fire FC would make the Major League Soccer postseason. First year manager Gregg Berhalter has guided the Fire to one win, one loss and one draw thus far, with a kickoff at Toronto FC coming up later this afternoon. That's good for a slot in the MLS Cup Playoff Wild Card/play-in game, and hey, after 8 … [Read more...] about Gregg Berhalter Sees New Chicago Fire Training Center as Major Game-Changer
Gregg Berhalter Preps for first Home Game as Chicago Fire Coach
After a stint as the United States Men's National Team head coach, Gregg Berhalter is back in Major League Soccer. Tomorrow night brings his first match at Soldier Field as Chicago Fire head coach. The home opener for the Fire comes against DC United, a franchise that has certainly had some issues in recent years. Berhalter discussed the improvements that his side needs to … [Read more...] about Gregg Berhalter Preps for first Home Game as Chicago Fire Coach
Jonathan Bamba Could Lead Chicago Fire FC Back to Postseason
The Chicago Fire FC have not one, but two new Designated Players this upcoming season, and one of them, Jonathan Bamba impressed this preseason. Bamba, who has experience in two of Europe's big five leagues: the Spanish La Liga with Celta Vigo, France's Ligue 1 with St. Etienne and Lille), was extremely impressive in the preseason. He banged in the goals during the Coachella … [Read more...] about Jonathan Bamba Could Lead Chicago Fire FC Back to Postseason
Neymar Would Not Have Been a Good Fit with Chicago Fire FC
While records are meant to be broken in sports, the most expensive footballer benchmark has stood for eight years and counting. When Paris Saint-Germain acquired Neymar from FC Barcelona for $262 million in 2017, this record was falling every 2-4 years, with Paul Pogba eclipsing Gareth Bale in 2013, which surpassed Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009. And given how transfer spending … [Read more...] about Neymar Would Not Have Been a Good Fit with Chicago Fire FC
Chicago Fire Sack Ezra Hendrickson, Georg Heitz on Hot Seat
Chicago Fire FC are looking for a new manager, yet again, as Ezra Hendrickson has just been sacked. Sporting Director Georg Heitz released an official statement, minutes ago, announcing the dismissal. The Fire, currently the penultimate side in Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference, got off to a 2-5-3 start this season. Picked to finish dead last, or very close to it by … [Read more...] about Chicago Fire Sack Ezra Hendrickson, Georg Heitz on Hot Seat
Nicolas Gaitan to Join Bastian Schweinsteiger, Dax McCarty in Chicago Fire Midfield
When the Chicago Fire open their season on Sunday against Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the L.A. Galaxy they will do so with a new player added to the roster. Thursday saw Chinese Super League club Dalian Yifang announce the transfer of Nicolas Gaitan to the Major League Soccer side. “Nicholas Gaitan joined the US Fireworks Chicago Fire Team. The club expressed its heartfelt … [Read more...] about Nicolas Gaitan to Join Bastian Schweinsteiger, Dax McCarty in Chicago Fire Midfield