Blog Entries for Irish Steve

Match Preview: Fire vs. Dallas

irishboy2001@msn.com — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 02:00:00 +0100

The Fire come into this game on the back of their worst performance of the season against Colorado last weekend. With the playoffs just around the corner, this is not the time to be in a slump. The Fire could be looking at that situation with a loss to Dallas on Sunday, a team that is fighting for their playoff lives.

Perhaps the most surprising and disappointing thing for the Fire has been their poor performances at home. The 1-0 win over New York, in the last home game, was onl [...]

Game preview, Fire vs Chivas USA

irishboy2001@msn.com — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 02:00:00 +0100

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.

The Fire will be missing Conde, still out with a hamstring injury, and Segares who is on international duty with his native Costa Rica. The Fire will be boosted by the returns of Chris Rolfe, Diego Gutierrez and Brandon Prideaux who all missed Saturday&r [...]

Explaining the Fire's Success

irishboy2001@msn.com — Thu, 15 May 2008 15:00:00 +0100

Irish Steve and Flanagan analyze why the Fire have started out so hot, and explain the importance of Chad Barrett to that success.

You know it’s neither the beer nor the whiskey, nor the fact you decided to start standing in 117 instead of 118, so why are you finding it hard to recognize the Fire this season? Two words: Denis Hamlet.

Aft [...]

The Future of the Fire: Interview With Academy Director

irishboy2001@msn.com — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 02:00:00 +0100

Earlier this month Backdraft headed out to Toyota Park to watch the Fire’s U-16 and U-18 academy teams face the U.S. U-17 national team. The Academy initiative, headed by Louis Mateus, has been running for around a year, and is one of the first fully free youth development academies in MLS.

New rules in MLS make such academies critical for the future success of teams, as each clubs can now directly sign (bypassing the draft) up to two players from their academies each year. Bac [...]

S80T :: San Jose

irishboy2001@msn.com — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 02:00:00 +0100

There's always more to the story with Section 8 On Tour. Road warrior, Irish Steve, brings his account of the Fire's 1-0 win at San Jose to Backdraft.

The trip began early on Saturday morning, five members of Section 8 boarding a plane bound for Oakland. The plane was due to land 2 hours before kickoff, so we were glad to take off on [...]

Chad Barrett: On the Road to Beijing?

irishboy2001@msn.com — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 02:00:00 +0100

Last week, the US U23 team qualified for the Beijing Olympics by defeating Canada at the semi-final stage. The 3-0 victory over their northern neighbors was the only convincing performance in a tournament that saw the US tie Cuba 1-1, beat Honduras and Panama 1-0, and lose to Honduras the second time around in the final 1-0.

Did the Fire's Chad Barr [...]