The Revs snapped a 10-match winless streak against the Fire | Photo credit: yahoo! sports
An already disappointing week was made that much worse Saturday night as the Fire stumbled to a disheartening 2-0 defeat to rivals New England at Gillette Stadium. Kelyn Rowe and Benny Feilhaber both scored goals within five minutes of each other in the second half, condemning the Fire to a third defeat in the span of just seven days. Continue reading
Filed under Chicago Fire, Match Analysis
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
Filed under Chicago Fire, Features, News
“I didn’t know that one day I’d get a chance to play with the Fire. I’m just happy to be the winner out of everyone. Every player’s dream is to be a professional with the team they loved and rooted for when they were young. I’m really excited for the opportunity to join the team for preseason.” - Pareskevas Pantazopoulos, winner of the Fire’s annual open tryout (1/19)
“It’s been a dream ever since I was young to be a professional soccer player. I’m super excited and super happy to be with the Fire.” – Orr Barouch on signing with the Chicago Fire (3/14)
“It was absolutely important to get the win at home. Winning here is one of the things we are focused on changing. We got the best fan base in the league and we need to do our part in and be responsible for our actions on the field. We hope to create an environment and mentality that refuse to lose.” – Logan Pause after the Fire’s 3-2 win over Sporting Kansas City in its home opener (3/26)
“I was very, very excited. And when that happens, you don’t really think. You’re kind of just having fun and that’s what I was doing.” – Jalil Anibaba after his “guise through the smoke” stunned Colorado in a USOC play-in match. (3/31) Continue reading
Filed under Chicago Fire, Column
As the match entered the 90th minute of play, it appeared the Chicago Fire’s already slim playoff hopes were finally fading away for good. Moments earlier, MLS’ likely Golden Boot winner Dwayne De Rosario blasted home a penalty after Gonzalo Segares was adjudged to have fouled Santino Quaranta inside the box. RFK stadium was ecstatic. And who can blame them as DC United entered Saturday night’s match on the back of three straight losses.
But all of a sudden, the craziest, most pulsating and unforgettable five minutes of the Fire’s season ensued. It was a series of events no one associated with the Chicago Fire organization will ever, ever forget. The emotions of the players said it all while the celebrations on the Fire bench provided the exclamation point. Meanwhile, 600 miles away in Chicago, the Globe Pub erupted with a combination of shock and jubilation at seeing the men in red pull of one of the most improbable comebacks imaginable. Continue reading
Filed under Match Analysis
Cristian Nazarit: Earning the big bucks with the Fire
If you’re like me, you spent about half of your Monday night reviewing and analyzing the updated list of MLS player salaries released earlier in the night. And if you’re really like me, you were probably left agape while you ran your eyes over some of the salary figures for the Chicago Fire. Scanning my eyes up and down the list, I expected to see Pavel Pardo at the top of the pile, followed closely by Marko Maric (previously the highest paid player) and Logan Pause – the club’s captain and longest serving member of the current squad. Instead, a certain 21-year-old from Columbia with two league goals and just six starts to his name this season currently stands as the Chicago Fire’s highest paid player with a salary that will raise plenty of eyebrows. Continue reading
