Fresh off a 1-0 victory over Mexican team San Luis, the Chicago Fire are set to take on MLS power Chivas USA in a Superliga battle this Tuesday. Chivas will be looking to make amends after an 2-1 loss to Mexican team Tigres UANL in the Superliga this past weekend.
To prepare for this tough match up, we decided to check in with a man who truly understands the upcoming game between Chivas and the Fire. He is former Fire defender and current Chivas USA player, Jim Curtin. During his seven years with the Fire, Curtin anchored a backline featuring stalwarts like Carlos Bocanegra, CJ Brown, and Evan “Who? Me?” Whitfield. During Curtin’s years with the team, the Fire won two U.S. Open Cups, the 2003 Supporter's Shield, and finished as the runner-up in one MLS Cup and one Open Cup final.
Now living in Los Angeles, Curtin took a few minutes out of his star-studded life to talk with D! News about Chicago vs. LA, Superliga matches, Fire originals, and life in the shadow of Hollywood.
D! News: What is your favorite event, location or social activity that's available in Los Angeles but you can't find in Chicago? Vice versa? Anything you miss about life in Chicago?
Curtin: I have been extremely lucky in my career to have played in two amazing cities (no knock on Columbus, but let’s be serious). I'd have to say L.A. gives the Chi a run for their money or beats it on Mexican food, the Pacific Ocean, national parks, and weather. I live a block from the beach with my wife and daughter in a small beach town called Hermosa Beach.
Biggest complaints would be that everything is incredibly spread out, the downtown L.A. I've seen is lame, and there is a lack of public transportation. Plus I'm not into that Hollywood bullshit scene. All things I see as the cause for the countless celebrity DUIs.
First off ive been a ton of places, and I would put Chicago summers up against anywhere in the world. The thing I miss most about Chicago is that there is always something to do. Great street fests, restaurants, Wrigley, and music venues. We still have our place in Lakeview, and my wife and I miss being able to walk to one of many places where big name and small name bands are playing all the time. Really miss Lincoln Fest, but doubt they miss me. I also miss the change of the seasons...a little.
D! News: Chivas USA is in a stretch of three Superliga games. And shortly thereafter you have a June 30th Open Cup match against Charleston Battery. And then the MLS regular season resumes. Do you notice anything different about the team's mentality or preparations going into each separate competition? Is there a small difference in the pre-game locker room attitude or energy between an MLS game and an Open Cup game?
Curtin: Despite what every athlete is coached to say ("we take it one game at a time," "it's just another game on the schedule" etc.), any elimination games have a different feel. There are only a few trophies to win in our country, and trophies are what most players play for. An August league match against Kansas City at noon when its 110 degrees has a different feel than any Open Cup game, where you know everything is on the line. One mistake and you’re out.
When I was in Chicago I always loved how the entire organization took it very seriously. From the players, to the front office making sure we got home games so our true home field advantage was there with our fans. All those little things go into a championship.
D! News: Given that you, Jesse Marsch, Ante Razov and Zach Thornton are all former Fire players, do you feel any sort of added sense of rivalry when you play Chicago? Do the four of you ever get together to call CJ Brown and Denis Hamlett just to talk a little trash?
Curtin: Again I'm probably supposed to say "just another game,” but I think I speak for the rest of the "Chicago Fire West" guys that it means a little more. Even though a lot of personnel have changed at the Fire, there are still a bunch of friends and ex-teammates you want to play well against and beat.
As for CJ and Denis, I owe those guys a ton for the career I've had. Both taught me a ton, and always took time after training or with film to teach me things. I am grateful.
D! News: Speaking of CJ and the “Chicago Fire West,” which Fire 1998 original will be the last man to actively play in MLS? Jesse, CJ, Ante or Zach?
Curtin: Touchy subject, but one I thoroughly break their balls about. With all the recent expansion they'd all tell you they can play until they’re 40. Vegas would probably set Zach as the favorite, being a goalie and all. CJ is the youngest, and the only one I currently don't share a locker room with, so I'll go with Juice.
D! News: We’re on hold with our insurance company, and right now the phone is playing "Dust in the Wind," muzak version. What's the worst pre-game music you've heard in an MLS locker room?
Curtin: Hands down "Who Let the Dogs Out" on some Jock Jams bullshit. Before a game circa 2006. It felt like an eighth grade flashback. I can’t remember who played it, but I'll blame Lubos Reiter since I'm pretty certain I'll never see him again.
D! News: As a defender, who would you least like to mark on the Fire right now? And out of the entire league, which player do you think is currently presenting the most problems for defenders?
Curtin: McBride and Rolfey are obviously a handful, but the Nyarko kid is the one that scares me. Kind of a wildcard. He is very unpredictable, and fast. I judge guys how they do against the best defenses, and even though he did not score against Houston, he gave those guys a ton of trouble in a game earlier this year.
The guy causing the most problems for defenders league-wide is easily Schelotto. He gives us problems. He looks like an Argentine tennis instructor; he’s not really fast, he’s tiny. But he is so smart, and has that ability to find open space for himself while your team has the ball. And when he gets the ball, all his teammates are flying forward because they know he is amazing at making that final pass. Also he’s great on set pieces.
D! News: Chivas and Fire fans aside, what MLS team has the best fans this year?
Curtin: What's going on at Seattle home games has been amazing. We played Toronto on a Wednesday night so it was a little more quiet that usual. D.C. always has good fans, but my sleeper might be Houston after that performance in Dallas.
I saw you guys (Section 8) versus Houston. Looked like a scene from Apocalypse Now.
D! News: With Philadelphia coming into the league next year, do you think about playing under Peter Nowak every day, every hour or every minute?
Curtin: Obviously most pro players would like the chance to play in front of friends and family. We will see what happens. Right now I am enjoying my time with Chivas USA. Peter definitely is a fit for the city. No nonsense, blue collar, winner who never has made up an excuse in his life.
How do I know that? He was my captain for two years, and the best player I ever will play with.
D! News: Let's be honest, you've probably seen some celebrities out in L.A. What's your best celebrity-sighting story?
Curtin: You really see them all the time, especially at LAX. Not counting any of those, here are a few random/funny ones:
Naturally Wee-Man from Jackass, and ex-supermodel Rachel Hunter frequent the Cofee Bean in my ‘hood. Michael Strahan’’s gapped teeth have been seen several times. Jose "The Tool" Canseco ditto. USC Coach Pete Carroll boogie boards on my beach at 8th Street. And Flea from the Chili Peppers was seen jogging by as I walked my daughter. Dude is fit.
One that broke my heart was one that not many may know. I saw “Michael” from the show The Wire. He plays this badass kid on the show and was my favorite character. It was hard enough for me when he took a role as the token black kid on the new 90210, but when I saw him on my beach working out with a personal trainer I almost died. He was doing these 10-yard runs and then keeling over like he was gonna die. He was as athletic looking As Richard Simmons.
D! News: Thanks for your time Jim. We wish you the best of luck with the remainder of the season. Provided you’re not playing against Chicago.
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D! News Weekly is an MDSC publication. We seek to provide a social forum for Chicago soccer fans and Section 8 supporters alike. We firmly believe that Chicago soccer news is best augmented by international news bits and mild celebrity nudity.
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Many thanks on behalf of D! News to Jim for the questions he did answer. Maybe we'll have to do a "round two" Q&A later this season.
Re: MDSC Ian - I actually was at the Great Breading and received a stern warning from the fine law enforcement officers of the great City of Naperville. Also in attendance that day: Abby, Andrew and JLM (Murtaugh) I believe. I couldn't remember if Jimmy was watching the Breading with interest or if he just happened to be nearby signing autographs for a group of kids.
I have it on good authority that MDSC Andrew drove around to various Jimmy John's restaurants prior to the match in order to find the stalest loaves of bread in town. Stale loaves = greater velocity & impact force.
Also: We're not going to find many more MLS players at honest and articulate as Jim Curtin, so let's really enjoy this while we have it.
I have it on good authority a loaf of rye bread was left out on a radiator for a week to achieve maximum dryness for the greatest range/force ratio. Also that DC president Kevin Payne personally intervened on the bread-launchers behalf.
I vote for pursuing interviews with Evan Whitfield, Jesse Marsch, Ryan Futagaki, and Bakary Soumare. Why is it defensive minded players are just more interesting?
