Section 8 Chicago and Sector Latino Meet the Fire

tjd1979@gmail.com — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 17:55:27 +0100

Following last Saturday's Fire-Chivas game, the leadership of Sector Latino -- a supporters' group affiliated to Section 8 Chicago -- approached Ben Burton, ISA Chairman, and told him Sector Latino had received racial abuse from the security at Toyota Park. After a public meeting was held with Sector Latino and Fire fans on Wednesday, August 6th, about the issue, meetings were scheduled this week with the Chicago Fire.

On Monday, Ben Burton, Walter Arredondo of Sector Latino and mysel [...]

Ending Racism at Toyota Park

tjd1979@gmail.com — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 02:00:00 +0100

What is it like to be part of one of the Fire's most dedicated, positive and vibrant supporters' groups and yet to face continual, racially motivated abuse from security at Toyota Park? Ask Sector Latino, who have been targeted since their emergence in 2005 by Monterrey Security, and who received disgraceful racist abuse from guards at the last home game against Chivas USA.

Following this, Section 8 Chicago called a series of meeting to explore the details of the situatio [...]

Super 20s Triumph

tjd1979@gmail.com — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 02:00:00 +0100

Last weekend, the Fire's developmental team the Super 20s headed to the national championship finals in Virginia Beach. One of their defenders, Greg Klazura from Rockford, has an exclusive account of events in the championships for Section 8.

From: Greg Klazura
Date: August 1, 2008

Section 8,

First and foremost the Fire Super Twenties are extremely grateful for the support of the best fans in the world as we make a run for a National Champi [...]

Fire Top of the League, Playoff at Home

tjd1979@gmail.com — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 02:00:00 +0100

Two Chicago Fire teams are top of the league -- did you know that? And that there's playoff action at Toyota Park this week?

The PDL and Super-20 teams both finished top of their respective midwest divisions this season. The PDL team made the playoffs for the eighth straight season (the only USL team to be able to boast that). On Tuesday, they will host the Kalamazoo Outrage at 4pm on the Toyota Park practice field. The game and parking are free, so come out and support our boys.

Blanco Sent-Off, In Further Trouble?

tjd1979@gmail.com — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 02:00:00 +0100

As most of you know, Blanco was sent-off last night and was apparently involved in further altercations on his way off the field, as the Fire fell 2-1 to DC United in extra time of their US Open Cup quarter-final.

The Washington Post is reporting the following:

In addition to his on-field conduct, which according to D.C. United defender Marc Burch included both punching and eye-gouging D.C. midfielder Clyde Simms, Blanco also allegedly head-butted a D.C. United operations employe [...]

Kings of the Cup That No-One Can See

tjd1979@gmail.com — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 02:00:00 +0100

If a US Open Cup quarter-final takes place and nobody sees it, does it really happen?

Tonight, MLS' two most storied franchises face-off in yet another knockout grudge match, as the Fire travel to Maryland to take on DC United in the Open Cup.

Yet not only is the tie of the round not on television, online video streaming was not planned by the Fire, DC United or US Soccer (last minute efforts are being made by Section 8 Chicago to co-ordinate a webcast at the ti [...]

Rolfe for McBride?

tjd1979@gmail.com — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 02:00:00 +0100

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], bec [...]

Save Your Panic for a Real Crisis

tjd1979@gmail.com — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 02:00:00 +0100

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 Barret [...]

Academy Boys Make Us Proud

tjd1979@gmail.com — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 02:00:00 +0100

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.

In less than a minute, they were one nil down and their heads dropped. It'd only been a short time since t [...]

Completing the Ring of Fire

tjd1979@gmail.com — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 02:00:00 +0100

When Andell Holdings, led by Chairman and CEO Andrew Hauptman, purchased the right to operate the Chicago Fire in 2007, they were not buying a blank slate. They were buying a team with a distinct tradition. It is an organization that honors this with its Ring of Fire, whose inductees represent those who have contributed significantly to the passion that defines the Fire community.

In the Ring of Fire are former President and GM Peter Wilt, former manager Bob Bradley, and former star pla [...]

5 - 1

tjd1979@gmail.com — Mon, 26 May 2008 09:00:10 +0100

Five reasons why we don't miss Juan Carlos Osorio:

Game Preview: Fire @ NYRB

tjd1979@gmail.com — Thu, 22 May 2008 02:00:00 +0100

Not since Rocky traveled to Russia to take down Ivan Drago has there been as bitter a match-up as this Sunday's Fire game in the New Jersey Swamplands.

In attendance should be all the characters who have provided Soccer By Ives with several million hits in the last six months: Juan Carlos Osorio, Wilman Conde and Lider Marmol will all be there, lined up on separate sides of the barricades despite the Red Bulls' best nefarious efforts to gather the Fire's fruit.

Marmol, Brown Debut: Fire Reserves Game Report, May 18

tjd1979@gmail.com — Wed, 21 May 2008 02:00:00 +0100

There's been a lot of talk about this Fire squad being the deepest in the team's history. With that in mind, Backdraft ventured to Toyota Park this morning to watch the Reserve team in action against DePaul University.
The game featured the season debuts of two players, one who has been with the Fire for ten years, and another who had never before pulled on our red jersey. [...]

Will it Play in Peoria? Fire USOC Game, June 10

tjd1979@gmail.com — Mon, 12 May 2008 02:00:00 +0100

The Fire will be playing in Peoria, Illinois against either Real Salt Lake or Columbus Crew on Tuesday June 10th at Bradley University's Shea Stadium.
It's a home game for the Fire that will decide who will advance to the last sixteen of the U.S. Open Cup, but it's being played 157 miles from the Fire's home ground, Toyota Park. Ba [...]

Fire Sign Lider Marmol

tjd1979@gmail.com — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 02:00:00 +0100

The Chicago Fire announced today that they have signed Paraguayan defender Lider Marmol. Terms of the deal were not released, and he will be able to play once he receives his visa and work clearance.
The 22 year-old Marmol last played in Spain for Hercules CF, and has had trials with Reading and Coventry City in England. Prior to the last two weeks, Marmol had been training with Red Bulls in New Jersey.
The Fire's signing of Marmol fully justifies the organization's deci [...]

Highlights from Rapids @ Fire

tjd1979@gmail.com — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 02:00:00 +0100

The official MLS site is -- thanks to the absurd deal with HDNet -- not offering highlights of Saturday's 2-1 win over the Rapids at Toyota Park. Thankfully, a youtube user has come to the rescue. Enjoy.
[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asHzy0TbH60 425x355]
(Thanks to the Herr on the forums for finding this)

Getting to Know Bakary Soumare

tjd1979@gmail.com — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 02:00:00 +0100

Bakary Soumare's early-season performances in defense for the Fire have been one of the biggest positives so far for the team.
To add to that, he's gaining a reputation as one of the toughest Fire players on the field whilst being one of the friendliest to Fire fans off it.
Backdraft talked to Bakary about life with the team, his new [...]

Marmol Training With the Fire, Not Yet Signed

tjd1979@gmail.com — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 02:00:00 +0100

The long saga of Chicago and New York's battle over the signing of Paraguayan Lider Marmol -- a very promising central defender or defensive midfielder -- has taken its latest twist.
The 22 year-old Marmol will be in Chicago to train with the Fire very soon, presumably with a view to sign. Contrary to this article by Kent McDill on the MLS website, Backdraft has been told by the Fire that Marmol has not yet been signed (that article will be retracted shortly and was an 'honest [...]

Match Preview: Wizards @ Fire, 04.20.08

tjd1979@gmail.com — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 02:00:00 +0100

The Fire XI
The Fire stood at the top of the league at the end of week 3 in MLS, though it was a fortunate win in Oakland, the expansion Earthquakes striking the woodwork twice and missing an open goal in the dying minutes. A better performance will be needed against a stronger Wizards team.
It's good that the Fire have depth at the back this season. B [...]

The State of the Fire: A Backdraft Roundtable

tjd1979@gmail.com — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 02:00:00 +0100

With the departure of President and GM John Guppy last week added to all the turmoil of the past year, Backdraft's writers decided to get together and talk about where the Fire stands now.
Here are their answers to five key questions regarding Guppy's departure, what it tells us about Andrew Hauptman, what qualities the next GM should have, and whether the Fire are in capable hands with Javier Leon stewarding the ship in the meantime.
1. Were you surprised by the timing [...]

Blog Entries for Tom Dunmore

Section 8 Chicago and Sector Latino Meet the Fire

Ending Racism at Toyota Park

Super 20s Triumph

Fire Top of the League, Playoff at Home

Blanco Sent-Off, In Further Trouble?

Kings of the Cup That No-One Can See

Rolfe for McBride?

Save Your Panic for a Real Crisis

Academy Boys Make Us Proud

Completing the Ring of Fire

5 - 1

Game Preview: Fire @ NYRB

Marmol, Brown Debut: Fire Reserves Game Report, May 18

Will it Play in Peoria? Fire USOC Game, June 10

Fire Sign Lider Marmol

Highlights from Rapids @ Fire

Getting to Know Bakary Soumare

Marmol Training With the Fire, Not Yet Signed

Match Preview: Wizards @ Fire, 04.20.08

The State of the Fire: A Backdraft Roundtable