March 18, 2012 · 10:24 am

Chicago Fire 1-1 Montreal Impact: Five things we learned from Olympic Stadium

Pavel Pardo attempts a free-kick in injury time. | Image source: MountRoyalSoccer.com

Playing in yet another Major League Soccer expansion side’s home opener, the Fire came from a goal down on Saturday afternoon to snatch a point against the Montreal Impact in front of a record 58, 912 crowd. Despite earning just a point, the visitors can leave Montreal content with a draw. Impact captain made history in the 56th minute by scoring the club’s first home goal, heading in Sanna Nyassi’s cross to send the home crowd into raptures. Continuing where he left off last season, however, Dominic Oduro spoiled the party for Montreal by grabbing a valuable equalizer in the 75th minute.

Montreal defender Josh Gardner nearly stole the headlines with one of the last kicks of the match, but his 35-yard effort in the 95th minute cannoned off Fire goalkeeper Paolo Tornaghi’s left post in the 95th minute. In the end, a point will be viewed as a good result having been outplayed for many parts of this match.

 Here’s what we learned from Saturday’s draw: Continue reading →

1 Comment

Filed under Chicago Fire, Match Analysis

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

March 2, 2012 · 10:41 am

Destination Kenya

Image Source: StarAfrica.com | Kenya's national team

With just over two weeks remaining until the 2012 Major League Soccer season kicks off for the Chicago Fire, a sense of unyielding anticipation has steadily crept up over the past few weeks. The Fire are close to completing the Carolina Challenge Cup in Charleston, South Carolina, and before long, preseason will be behind us and MLS First Kick will have finally arrived.

For the majority of Fire supporters longing to see their team in action again after five long months, having a bye in the first week of the league schedule will have come as a disappointment, but for one particular supporter – myself – that bye is a massive relief. Continue reading →

Leave a Comment

Filed under Chicago Fire, Travel

Tagged as , ,

March 1, 2012 · 9:33 am

Leap year 2012: A perfect day for Chicago Fire and US Soccer fans

If you’re a Chicago Fire supporter and a fan of US soccer, then Wednesday, February 29th was nothing short of the perfect day.

An action-filled day began early Wednesday morning as numerous international friendlies were already underway by 10pm CT. One of those friendlies involved Fire striker Orr Barouch, who received the nod in the starting lineup for Israel against Ukraine. Barouch opened the scoring in the 17th minute, splitting two defenders to get on the end of a precise pass and fire a one-touch effort into the net. Israel would go on to win 4-0. Watch Barouch’s goal and highlights of the match below. Continue reading →

Leave a Comment

Filed under Chicago Fire, Features, News

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , ,

· 2:36 am

Federico Puppo opens his goalscoring account as the Fire down Columbus 1-0

Image source: zimbio.com

After doing the double over the Columbus Crew last season, a repeat of that feat could be on the cards again in 2012. A depleted Chicago Fire squad topped a relatively full strength Columbus side 1-0 on Wednesday courtesy of an 80th minute goal from Federico Puppo, his first goal for the club.

The Fire were without six players against the Crew – many of whom were on international duty – but the men in red still managed to survive a subpar first half performance to end a three-match losing streak. Puppo threatened at times in the first interval, but it was Continue reading →

2 Comments

Filed under Chicago Fire, Match Analysis

Tagged as , , , , , ,

February 27, 2012 · 9:00 am

Are three consecutive preseason defeats a cause for worry for the Chicago Fire?

Image source: naplesnews.com

After going undefeated in its first four preseason games, the Chicago Fire have since dropped three straight matches against MLS opposition to move to 3-3-1 in preseason play. And after outscoring its opponents 7-1 in those first four games, the men in red have been unable to find the net in each of the last three matches as they slipped to defeat against Portland (2-0), San Jose (2-0), and, most recently, D.C. United (1-0) on Saturday afternoon. The loss to United also marked the beginning of the Carolina Challenge Cup in Charleston, South Carolina.

So with three consecutive defeats and not a single goal to show for it, what does this mean for the Fire? Continue reading →

1 Comment

Filed under Chicago Fire

Tagged as , , , , , ,

February 11, 2012 · 4:01 pm

Chicago Fire remain undefeated in preseason as Daniel Paladini fires the men in red past Chivas USA

Image source: mlssoccer.com. Former Chicago midfielder and current trialist Ivan Guerrero saw 45 minutes of action on Saturday.

2:00 p.m., Oxnard College

In the first match of the Chicago Fire’s second phase of its preseason schedule, the men in red recorded a 1-0 win against Chivas USA to improve to 3-0-1 in preseason play. Following a goalless first half, Daniel Paladini struck the winner four minutes after the restart with a powerful left-footed shot past Chivas goalkeeper Tim Melia. Continue reading →

Leave a Comment

Filed under Chicago Fire, Match Analysis

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

· 3:15 pm

“It’ll be crazy” – Baggio Husidic interview with Swedish media ahead of new season

Image source: Schakalen

Baggio Husidic may have been more of a bit part player last season for the Chicago Fire, but it’s always fun to track where former players are in their careers after they leave Chicago. With Baggio’s contract expiring at the end of last season, the Bosnian midfielder decided to leave Major League Soccer and start a new chapter of his career in Sweden with Hammarby IF and with Baggio adapting to life in Sweden, here is an interview with Husidic which appeared in the Swedish media today.

Translated from Swedish

This article first appeared on DN.se Sport: http://www.dn.se/sport/fotboll/billy-och-baggio-om-bajen-det-blir-galet

The name sounds familiar but the faces are new. Last season at South Stadium is Billy and Baggio, who will save the home crowd. ”We will work hard and show pride for the club. The fans deserve it, “says Baggio, one of three new Americans in Hammarby. Continue reading →

3 Comments

Filed under Player feature

Tagged as , , ,