Posted by: david kinsey in Untagged on
Jul 03, 2008
By the time the final whistle blew on June 30th, not only was the month of June about to end but the U-18 and U-16 Chicago Fire Academies were wrapping up their four-day stay in Greensboro, NC. They were taking part in the Summer Showcase featuring teams from all across the United States looking to punch their ticket to LA, if they had not already done so, and the finals competition July 12th through the 19th to be televised on the ESPN networks.
A full report on the exciting weekend's action follows.
Posted by: Marty Groark in Untagged on
Jul 02, 2008
The Chicago Fire successfully continued their run towards a record 5th Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday after a 4-1 pasting over the visiting Cleveland City Stars of the USL-2 league.
Posted by: Marty Groark in Untagged on
Jul 01, 2008
After failing to score in their previous two games, the Chicago Fire looked to the match against San Jose to regain the form that quickly made them an MLS Cup favorite and instill some confindence in the Fire fowards. After regulation however, it is difficult to see what it was that made Chicago an early season powerhouse, as once again the Chicago Fire frontline remained anonymous Saturday night.
The Fire want Brian McBride, Brian McBride wants to play in Chicago, and Toronto wants a tasty young treat in return for his allocation rights. It's believed they want a talented forward.
And one of the Fire's talented young forwards is out of contract at the end of the year, the same one who surprisingly started on the bench last game. His name is Chris Rolfe, and an MLS source told Backdraft that "Rolfe’s name is coming up often in conversations [about McBride], because he will be out of contract after this season and is asking for a hefty pay increase to resign."
Posted by: Mike Fotopoulos in OpEd on
Jun 29, 2008
The views and opinions expressed in this article reflect those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Section 8 Chicago NFP.
As I wake up bleary eyed and sober, I regret the error of my condition that left me unable to become blind drunk or wrapped in the blissfully ignorant cocoon of some other equally enjoyable vice during last night's match. Had I been able to enjoy more than a thimble full of alcohol, maybe I would have been able to better to participate in the fantasy camp that when on for 90 minutes at Toyota Park.
Posted by: Tom Dunmore in Games on
Jun 27, 2008
Chaos! Catastrophe! And a collective vendetta against one of our best players this season thus far.
Such has been the general Fire fan reaction to the recent slide in form, which has seen us drop three of our last four games, with a suddenly anemic offense particularly enraging those who seem to think that despite MLS' undoubted parity, the Fire ought to be immune from the mini-slumps in form every team goes through.
In particular, the criticism roundly heaped upon Chad Barrett following the last game -- where he did botch one easy chance, before missing a far harder angled shot -- has been as pointless as it has been predictable. He deserves criticism, but so do many other players from that disappointing loss to the Fake Goats.
Posted by: Tom Dunmore in Chicago Fire Academy on
Jun 25, 2008
Backdraft was there last night to watch as the Chicago Fire Academy's U-16 took on local elite youth soccer club the Chicago Magic in a crucial top of the table encounter. Read on as we explore the future of the Fire.
Posted by: Benjamin Kumming in Untagged on
Jun 20, 2008
Rather than wade through the misery of the Fire’s dismal showing at Chivas USA last night, I’ll leave the game recap to someone else and focus on some (kind of) constructive criticisms. The Fire’s recent skid has been called Denis Hamlett’s first test as head coach. How the Hammer addresses the problems made clear last night will be the real indicator of his perception and innovation and, ultimately, give verdict on his first term at the helm of the Chicago Fire.
Posted by: Benjamin Kumming in Untagged on
Jun 19, 2008
The group stage of Euro 2008 is over. The separating of wheat from chaff and the chaos of culling the weak has subsided. In the dust lie the bodies of 8 teams, their identities surprising. World Cup Runners-Up, FIFA’s 6th highest ranked team, and another two in the top ten. Limping away from the fray, barely escaping with their lives, are the World Cup Champions and the early competition favorites. Those who have excelled in the first stage of play are young teams with innovative coaches and creative, youthful styles of play. The old, it seems, have fallen with the weak and sick.
Posted by: Irish Steve in Untagged on
Jun 19, 2008
The Fire come into Thursday nights’ match against Chivas on the back of two straight losses in the league. Chivas have also lost their last two in the league and both clubs will be trying desperately not to lose three on the trot.
Backdraft 
