After Chicago's 4-nil annihilation of the New England Revolution at the Fire's home opener in Bridgeview, none of the 15,553 present in the stadium had a bigger smile than rookie Head Coach Denis Hamlett once the game ended. In fact, the entire locker room was happy and smiling: it was hard not to feel like this year was going to be a little special.
During post game interviews every player was quick to credit almost every one of his teammates by name for their performance in the win. Watching some of the players change and joke around with each other, it was easy to see just how comfortable each player is on the team. And it seems to be showing itself on the field now.
Backdraft was there to soak in the winning atmosphere.
4-0? Not bad. Despite the promises of the official game guide, the Fire were unchanged from last Saturday and every player who disappointed against Real Salt Lake made amends last night. A brilliant performance, and Backdraft will be updated later with further reaction, analysis and highlights.
Section 8 also showed up in force. According to one longtimer on the Section 8 forums, the turnout of well over 1,000 in Sections 117 and 118 marked the largest supporters' gathering ever at a Fire home game. The overall attendance of 15,552 was also solid for the earliest ever home opener, on a frigid cold and wet Thursday night.
Below are a few more photos of Section 8 before the game. We will add more from during the game later on; if you have any for us to use, please add them to the Section 8 Flickr group .
Update, April 9th: Many new official Section 8 photos added below.
Imagine you watch a kid playing in a Chicago Fire shirt for the youth Academy at the age of fifteen, who catches your eye and makes you think 'he's a bit special'. Then fast-forward five years, and he's scoring the winning goal in an MLS match for the Fire's senior team having signed directly with the club two years earlier.
For the first time ever, that scenario is possible in the future. Last July, the Chicago Fire became the first MLS team to make their Academy, which covers players from age of 13-17, free for all participants. The Academy consists of 44 players making up two teams, at U-16 and U-18 levels.
Throughout the season, Backdraft will be following the Academy closely, and today we explain the set-up and its importance for the future of the Fire.
The Fire salvaged a point in the 92nd minute of the season opener thanks to a fine strike by Blanco, after Real Salt Lake had taken the lead twenty minutes earlier. We'll have a full wrap-up of the game later, but for now, you can watch the highlights at the MLS site and consider the varied reaction to the game below:
Yet another off season middle finger has been shown to the Chicago Fire. Who is responsible for this one? MLS? Ron Waxman/Dominic Cervi or the Fire front office?
All three parties certainly share culpability.
As an isolated case, it's understandable, but it's the fifth incident of its kind this past off season. Juan Carlos Osorio, John Spencer, Wilman Conde, Matt Pickens and now Cervi have all told Chicago that they aren't willing to make certain sacrifices or commitments to represent the Chicago Fire. This is cause for concern and indicates that Chicago's grass is no longer greener.
Imagine you watch a kid playing in a Chicago Fire shirt for the youth Academy at the age of fifteen, who catches your eye and makes you think 'he's a bit special'. Then fast-forward five years, and he's scoring the winning goal in an MLS match for the Fire's senior team having signed directly with the club two years earlier. 
The Fire salvaged a point in the 92nd minute of the season opener thanks to a fine strike by Blanco, after Real Salt Lake had taken the lead twenty minutes earlier. We'll have a full wrap-up of the game later, but for now, you can watch the highlights at 
