Feed the Fire: A Chicago Fire Podcast

Hey, soccer fans! Feed the Fire pivots to World Cup 2026 coverage, and in this episode, Nick gives us his overview of the tournament. He breaks down the countries by their FIFA rankings and odds to win their groups and the entire tournament. He gives us choice matches that could occur and gives his hopes for the United States Men's National Team (USMNT). With the expanded field to 48 teams, this World Cup brings an added element of drama when eight third-place group teams advance to the knock-out rounds. How will the tie-breakers be applied, and which countries have the best shot at advancing as a 3rd place group finisher? Tune in to hear all the possible scenarios! Don't forget to go back and check out Nick's conversation with American soccer legend, Clint Mathis, in a prior episode. Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder. Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey, soccer fans! Time to pivot to World Cup coverage and analysis! Nick starts with a breakdown of the roster as selected by head coach of the USMNT, Mauricio Pochettino. Stars like Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and Tyler Adams are no surprise, but the inclusion of Tim Ream, Cristian Roldan, and Max Arfsten have people questioning their value and role on the team. Omissions of Diego Luna and Zavier Gozo also had people raising eyebrows. Tune in to hear Nick's takes on all the news surrounding the squad. Nick also gets into a discussion about Chicago Fire goalkeeper Chris Brady's selection to the team. There is no doubt Brady deserves the call-up, but can he compete for minutes with Matt Turner and Matt Freese? Also, we look at Brady's recent fine from Major League Soccer for embellishment, and Nick asks the difficult question if Brady is getting a bad reputation from the officials. Don't forget to go back and check out Nick's conversation with American soccer legend, Clint Mathis, in a prior episode. Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder. Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey, soccer fans! Nick is back talking Chicago Fire after a short hiatus - for all good things. Tune in as he gives a survey of the Men in Red's recent three-game win streak, identifying trends in tactics and performance, discussing the players that stepped up during the run, and what needs to continue into the second half of the Major League Soccer season. Nick also takes a deep dive into the Fire's schedule, noting the increase in difficulty. The team will have to face better MLS competition, a rigorous travel schedule, Leagues Cup, and a congested schedule. They'll have to rely on the lessons learned so far this season to maintain their spot among the top teams of the Eastern Conference. Don't forget to go back and check out Nick's conversation with American soccer legend, Clint Mathis, in the last episode. Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder. Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey, soccer fans! Feed the Fire welcomes Clint Mathis to the show! He talks about his career in Major League Soccer, his time with the US Men's National Team, and how the game has changed during and since his playing days. Tune in as Nick and Clint relive some of his best moments but also explore how Clint made the transition to a career after soccer. Clint also gives us his take on the latest soccer docuseries "Soccer's American Dream" now out on VICE TV . "One of the true personalities in American professional soccer, Clint Mathis took full advantage of the 2002 World Cup as a player and a public figure.  Capitalizing on several years of hard work in Major League Soccer, he became one of the faces of the Summer of 2002 when the United States advanced to the quarterfinals of the World Cup. Clint was originally drafted by the LA Galaxy, but rose to prominence as a member of the MetroStars.  There he established himself as a reliable goal scorer and showed the flair that would garner him national attention.  An ACL injury limited his output in 2001, but he recovered in time to make the US World Cup squad.  Mathis scored against Korea in the group stage of that World Cup.  At the end of the 2002 MLS season, he had opportunities in Germany's Bundesliga, eventually joining Hannover 96 in 2004. Mathis won his last cap with the United States in 2005, the same year he returned to Major League Soccer with Real Salt Lake.  He spent time with several MLS clubs before a successful stint at Greek club Ergotelis.  He returned to MLS and RSL in 2008, finishing his career in 2010 as a member of the LA Galaxy. Clint worked as an assistant coach with the Chicago Fire in 2014 and 2015." - from https://ussoccerplayers.com/player/mathis-clint Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder. Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey, soccer fans! The Chicago Fire got a big win in the nation's capital, defeating DC United 3-1 in the rain. They learned from their loss to Red Bulls, generated more attacking momentum, put in early and impactful subs, and came away with the victory. Goals by Robin Lod, Hugo Cuypers (of course!), and Maren Haile-Selassie were enough to overcome a first half goal by Tai Baribo. Tune in as Nick breaks down the Men in Red's adjustments from their last match, reviews the stats behind the performance, and highlights top plays by Puso Dithejane and Philip Zinckernagel. Nick also discusses the news that the Chicago Fire have partnered with McDonald's for the naming rights of their new stadium. McDonald's Park will open in 2028, and the fast-food corporation will be supporting initiatives off the pitch, as well, expanding the Fire's P.L.A.Y.S. Program and having donation options available for the Ronald McDonald House at vendors around the stadium. Jokes about clowns aside, this is fantastic partnership. The episode concludes with a brief preview of the Fire's next matchup, an away day to CF Montreal. Montreal was a tough win for the Fire early in the season, and enter this match with a good run-of-form and great home record. Hopefully, the Fire can overcome the travel and condensed schedule to bring back a result. Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder. Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey, soccer fans! The Chicago Fire have lost their offense and returned to mediocrity. They fall 3-1 at home to the New York Red Bulls after dominating possession but being unable to get dangerous looks on goal. The Men in Red have a serious problem in their midfield, and Robin Lod, Maren Haile-Selassie, and Dylan Borso haven't been able to fill the shoes of Brian Gutierrez and Andre Franco. Tune in to hear the breakdown of the big plays and the statistical analysis of another disappointing loss for the Fire. Nick also shares an update from Dave Baldwin on the Chicago Fire's new stadium at The 78. The site has been prepped, excavation work has begun, and crews are pile-driving the supports for the new stadium. Baldwin also shares new partnerships and sponsors of the club and an update on the Dear Chicago Experience in the city. Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder. Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey, soccer fans! The Chicago Fire return to Soldier Field this weekend ready to get back in the win column. Their next opponent is a strugging New York Red Bulls team under new head coach Michael Bradley (Yes, that Michael Bradley). The Red Bulls bring a young, but talented team, with a good mix of veteran leadership. They will pose a threat to the Men in Red's backline, and the Fire should be ready to deal with the likes of Julian Hall, Emil Forsberg, Eric Maxim Chuopo-Moting, and Jorge Ruvalcaba. Nick expects a Fire victory, but the Red Bulls will be confident if they can hang around this match, given the Fire's recent history of giving up leads. Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder. Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey, soccer fans! Do you belive in deja vu? The Chicago Fire's latest match - a loss to FC Cincinnati - sure felt like their prior outing against FCC just much worse. The Men in Red blew two one-goal leads, missed a PK in stoppage time, and conceded the game-winning PK just minutes later. Tune in as Nick vents his frustration with the lack of player execution and coaching failures. He focuses on a concerning trend of player rotation and substitutions from Gregg Berhalter and his staff. They appeared to be rotating players around their US Open Cup match vs. St. Louis City and their match against a bad Sporting Kansas City team, but then make no proactive subs to preserve the wins against Cincinnati in both matches. Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder. Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey, soccer fans! Nick is mad and disappointed by the Chicago Fire's loss to St. Louis City SC in the US Open Cup. He criticizes the poor performance by a number of players, the terrible in-game coaching decisions, and the overall lack of focus on what should be a goal of the organization - winning a trophy and the tournament that is rooted in Men in Red history. Tune in for all of Nick's rants and pointed criticism. Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder. Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey, soccer fans! It was a wild night on the lakefront as the Chicago Fire torched Sporting Kansas City 5-0. Despite controlling the match, the scoreline remained 0-0 at halftime, and the fans were a little anxious. However, the Men in Red kept their focus and their composure and dominated their opponent in the second half. Hugo Cuypers and Philip Zinckernagel each put up a brace, while Maren Haile-Selassie added to the score sheet. Tune in as Nick breaks down the performance, addresses some dumb internet comments, and highlights the play of Puso Dithejane in his first MLS start. Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder. Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey, soccer fans! The Chicago Fire are back home to welcome Sporting Kansas City to Solider Field. How will the Men in Red fare against the current worst team in Major League Soccer? This should be a victory for the home side, but there will be extra incentive for former Fire manager and current SKC coach Rafa Wickey to play well. The Fire also welcome back Justin Reynolds, who has become a begun to look like a starter for the struggling club. Tune in as Nick gives you the players to watch, stats to know, and how the Fire can secure another win. Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder. Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey, soccer fans! Did the Chicago Fire settle for a road draw against FC Cincinnati over the weekend? After lettinga 2-1 lead slip away, it sure felt like it. Tune in as Nick breaks down the goals, the individual brilliance, and the moments that shifted the match. He talks in detail about Mbekezeli Mbokazi's defensive strugges, Hugo Cuypers' brilliance, and the substitutions and tactical changes made by Head Coach Gregg Berhalter and his staff. He also discusses the Men in Red's upcoming MLS schedule and how the team needs to take points prior to the World Cup break. Things only get more difficult in the summer. Finally, Nick discusses his pre-show preparation and gives you a peak into how he structures his shows. Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder. Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey, soccer fans! The Chicago Fire - the winningest MLS team in US Open Cup history - advanced to the Round of 16 after a 2-1 victory over Detroit City FC. The Men in Red dominated the first half, and Jason Shokalook scored a brace in his first start for the Fire first team. However, a DCFC goal, a red card to Puso Dithejane, and a freight train all in the span of five minutes propelled the USL Championship side to nearly equalizing. In what was a chaotic second half, the Fire survive and advance to take on St. Louis City SC in the next round. Nick also previews the upcoming match against FC Cincinatti. He predicts a draw, but notes that both teams have lots of roster questions due to injuries and the defenses may be prone to lapses. Cincy will also be without key player Kevin Denkey, who will be serving a red card suspension. Can the Fire take advantage and extend their win streak to four matches? Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder. Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey, soccer fans! Nick is back recapping the Chicago Fire's 1-0 victory over Atlanta United. The Five Stripes couldn't find the back of the net due to the outstanding defensive performances by Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Jack Elliott. Despite their pressue and opportunities, the Men in Red scored once thanks to Maren Haile-Selassie, filling in at striker for the injured Hugo Cuypers. The Fire are grinding out wins and ride a three-game win streak into their next match-ups: a US Open Cup game against Detroit City FC and a regular season game against FC Cincinnati. Can they keep the momentum going? Nick also talks about updates from around MLS, including CF Montreal firing their coach, Philadelphia Union getting their first win, and Columbus Crew star Wasem Abou Ali tearing his ACL. Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder. Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey, soccer fans! Chicago Fire FC defeated Nashville SC 1-0 over the weekend. Since joining Major League Soccer, Nashville has gotten the best of the Men in Red, winning 9 of 10 matches. But the Fire put together a legendary performance with Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Jack Elliott, Maren Haile-Selassie, and Chris Brady deliverying highlights that will be talked about for years to come. And that's not to mention Philip Zinckernagel scoring the fastest goal in club history! Tune in as Nick gives you a recap of mythical proportions. We also take a brief look ahead to the Fire's next few matches against Atlanta United, Detroit City FC, FC Cincinnati, and Sporting Kansas City. The Chicago Fire could find themselves in a great spot  in the standings as they approach the World Cup Break. Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder. Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey, soccer fans! The Chicago Fire host a red hot Nashville SC team this weekend at Soldier Field. Tune in as Nick previews the matchup, including the tactics and players the Men in Red need to watch out for. Hany Mukhtar, Sam Surridge, and Cristian Espinoza make from a triple-threat - not unlike the Fire's own Hugo Cuypres, Jonathan Bamba, and Philip Zinckernagel. We'll see which offense wins the day and which defense can disrupt their opponents. Nick also discusses the spectacular goal from Mbekezeli Mbokazi while on international duty with South Africa and brings up some criticism of the defender from his Bafana Bafana coach, Hugo Broos. We also discuss the Fire's next opponent in the US Open Cup, USL Championship side Detroit City FC. Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder. Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey, soccer fans! Hope you all had a great Spring Break and soccer International Break, and you're ready for Major League Soccer to be back in action! In this episode, Nick breaks down the Chicago Fire's victory over the Philadelphia Union, noting the goals but also worried about the narrow victory over the worst team in MLS. He also discussed the status, lineups, and standings. In the second half of the show, Nick examines the MLS Sprint Season and the signing of Antoine Griezmann by Orlando City. There are questions that the 35 year old striker will have to answer, but other aging players in Florida have proven themselves quite capable in MLS. Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder. Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey, soccer fans! Are you as angry as Nick is? On a cold night on the lakefront, the Chicago Fire frustrated fans with bad officiating, bad tactics, and bad individual performances en route to a 2-1 loss against DC United. Tune in as Nick breaks down the problems with the ref, the poos line-up and tactical choices, and wonders when the attacking players will actually start shooting on goal. In the second half of the show, Nick recaps the Concacaf Champions Cup tournament and results so far. He gives his preferred matchups and predicts the winner of the tournament. He also touches on the Houston Dynamo new assistant coach, former Men in Red manager Ezra Hendrickson. Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder. Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey, soccer fans! No one likes boring soccer, and no one likes a draw. So by that logic, no one liked the Chicago Fire's match against the Columbus Crew this weekend. Both teams were dealing with injuries and neither wanted to press their attack too hard and give up a an easy counter-attack goal to lose the match. As a result, we saw a game played in the middle third of the field. There were a couple good chances by each team - for the Men in Red, newcomers Dylan Borso and Mbekezeli Mbokazi could've found game winners - but Patrick Schulte and Chris Brady were up to the challenge. Listen in as Nick breaks down the big plays, analyzes the statisticis, and expresses his concerns for the Fire's position thus far. He also discusses the news of former Columbus Crew players Yaw Yeboah and Derrick Jones receiving lifetime bans from Major League Soccer for gambling on games they played in. How does this affect MLS' reputation and how will their new partnership with predictive market platform Polymarket be affected? Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder. Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey, soccer fans! This weekend, the Chicago Fire travel to Ohio to face Eastern Conference rivals Columbus Crew. The Crew are at home for the first time this young season and are looking for their first win. Led by Diego Rossi and Waseem Abou Ali, the home team will have a potent offense. But can they find success against Jack Elliott, Joel Waterman, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, and the Fire backline? Can the Crew hold off the attack of Hugo Cuypers, Jonathan Bamba, and Philip Zinckernagel? Tune in as Nick takes a look at how each team will likely approach the match and what the Men in Red need to do to secure an early road victory. Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder. Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey, soccer fans! Nick is back talking Chicago Fire FC and talking about a win during their home opener. Goals from Jonathan Bamba, Hugo Cuypers, and Robin Lod propelled the Men in Red to a victory despite playing with 10-men after a questionable Jonathan Dean red card. Tune in as Nick breaks down teh goals, the key plays, and the stand-out player performances. He also provides a round-up of all the latest Chicago Fire and MLS headlines, including updates on the new stadium at The 78, the failed Kit Cab, and a restructure at MLS headquarters. Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder. Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey, soccer fans! MLS is back! Nick recaps the Chicago Fire's openeing weekend loss in Houston to the Dynamo by looking at the goals, stats, and general poor performance by the Men in Red. We also hear from our very own soccer scout, John Donovan, on his analysis of the match. Nick concludes his series on player profiles, discussing the history and recent performance of the attacking players for the Fire. He projects where the wingers and strikers will be throughout the course of the season and where they will be at the end of their contracts. Get to know more about your hometown team and the current and future stars of Major League Soccer. Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder. Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey, soccer fans! Nick is back talking the Chicago Fire stadium developments, roster updates, and firing back at the MLS Soccer Staff pundits and analysts who think the Men in Red will regress this season. What do Kaylen Kyle and Bradley Wright-Phillips know about Chicago anyway!? More people should listen to Dax McCarty. In the second half of the show, Nick brings in special guest Favian Renkel of Kickbase. A longtime MLS journalist and longer time MLS fan, Favian gives his reactions on the Fire's 2025 season, what he expects from them in 2026, and provides his take on some of the storylines throughout the league. Make sure to listen to the end to hear about Kickbase's new MLS Fantasy app and the plans they have for the future of MLS Fantasy. Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder. Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey, soccer fans! The Chicago Fire concluded their preseason at the Coachella Valley Invitational with a 4-3 loss to the Portland Timbers. Tune in as Nick gives you his notes on the pre-season, including how the Men in Red can improve on defense, sustain their offense, and still surprise a few teams this season. We also continue our series on player profiles, this episode focusing on the Fire midfielders. Get the background info and projections on Anton Saletros, Robin Lod, Andre Franco, Dje D'Avilla, Sergio Oregel, Mauricio Pineda, Dylan Borso, Robert Turdean, and Sam Williams. Who do you thinks stars? Who makes the leap forward? Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder. Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey, soccer fans! The Chicago Fire's pre-season continues and Nick has all his notes on their latest match, a 2-2 draw against Austin FC. Goals from Andrew Gutman and Jack Elliott came off of corner kicks, and set-piece coach Ryan Needs seems to finally be making an impact on the squad. The Men in Red still need to shore up some gaps in the backline, but the attack looks as threatenting as it's ever been. Nick continues his player profiles in this episode, focusing on the outside backs: Gutman, Jonathan Dean, Leonardo Barroso, and Viktor Radojevic. Tune in and learn about how they came to the Fire and how Nick projects them this season. We also review the various theme nights and new kit launch for the 2026 season. Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder. Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey, soccer fans! The Chicago Fire took to the pitch for their first match in the Coachella Valley Invitational and defeated the LA Galaxy by a score of 3-2. Tune in as Nick breaks down the lineups, notable plays, and the goals - scored by Cuypers, Zinckernagel, and Mueller - and what it means for the upcoming regular season. Nick also continues his player profiles series, this time focusing on the Fire's centerbacks. Listen in as he gives you the background, projections, salary info, and bios of Jack Elliott, Joel Waterman, Sam Rogers, Christopher Cupps, and Mbekezeli Mbokazi. He even throughs in a brief profile of former Fire II centerback Diego Konincks for comparison. The group looks talented, deep, and competative - and they'll need to be in order to turn around one of the worst defensive units in Major League Soccer. Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder. Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey, soccer fans! Nick is back discussed the latest news in Major League Soccer and the Chicago Fire. This episode, he reviews the Men in Red's acquisition of three additional international roster spots, how their value has increased, and how the Fire still need to get into roster compliance. He also ponders on the role of MLS in the development of American players. Has MLS killed development for the sake of monopolizing talent? Do they owe "American soccer" or the USMNT a duty to develop players? In the second half, Nick profiles each of the Chiago Fire's three goalkeepers: Chris Brady, Jeff Gal, and Josh Cohen. Learn about their playing history, their role in the current Fire team, and what their future might hold - in MLS and abroad. Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder. Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey, soccer fans! New month, new opportunities, new shows! The Chicago Fire had their media day last week, and Gregg Berhalter and his players gave us a lot of great quotes to analyze. Nick focused on themes of expectations and new player integration - perenneial playoff appearances is now the floor for the club, and there are players that appear to be eyeing a trophy this season. Tune in to hear the quotes and Nick's reactions. Nick also provides an update on Major League SOccer's newest partner, Polymarket, a predication market company, and technically not sports gambling. Despite being legal in all fifty states and MLS wanting to ensure integrity in the market, this seems like another gambling sponsor. And as gambling has more influence over the league, the game will suffer. Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder. Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey, soccer fans! Nick is back with all the latest updates frm around Major League Soccer and the Chicago Fire as it relates to roster construction and transfers. Tune in has he reviews the six amendments to the roster rules and regulations in MLS and how the Men in Red - and the rest of the league - are already using them to their advantage. Nick also runs another lighting-round of transfer updates, informing you of all the moves from around the league. How active has your team been this off-season? Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder. Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey, soccer fans! I hope you're keeping warm this January. The Chicago Fire certainly are keeping us engaged with the latest transfer moves - Kellyn Acosta and the club have mutually parted ways. The MLS veteran helped bring the Men in Red into a new era under Gregg Berhalter, setting standards in training, professionalism, and play - and gave us one of the most memorable goals in Chicago Fire history, the Windy City Miracle against Montreal in 2024. Tune in to hear Nick's thoughts on Acosta's impact and how the roster has to evolve without him. The Fire also sign another South African international, Puso Dithejane, a winger from TS Galaxy. Dithejane brings youth, depth, and speed to the Fire wings. Nick discusses where they new player will fit within the Fire's system and how this could be the first domino to fall to shake up the winger position on the roster. Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder. Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey, soccer fans! Happy New Year! The sudden firing of Wilfried Nancy by Celtic Football Club got Nick thinking: Can Major League Soccer coaches find success abroad? To test this theory, he looks at the recent, former coaches of the Chicago Fire: Frank Klopas, Ezra Hendrickson, Raphael Wicky, and Veljko Paunovic. Despite the small sample size, Nick is able to draw some larger conclusions based on the former managers of the Men in Red. Tune in as he breaks down their careers and analyzes whether MLS managers can find success abroad. Nick looks at winning percentage, difficulty of the league, and expectations placed upon the coaches by their respective teams. He also reveals Opta's current rankings of the Top 10 soccer leagues in the world. Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder. Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Happy New Year, soccer fans! With the new year comes new roster moves for Chicago Fire FC. They transfer homegrown defender Justin Reynolds to Sporting Kansas City and sign free agent goalkeeper Josh Cohen. Tune in as Nick breaks down the details of the transfers and gives his opinions on how this strengthens the Men in Red for the upcoming 2026 MLS season. These moves create some flexibility to roster Robin Lod and provide an improvement at the backgup goalkeeper position. Cohen also brings a wealth of experience - having started UEFA Champions League matches - and will push starter Chris Brady to keep improving. Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder. Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey, soccer fans! Nick is back with Part 3 of his holiday roundup. In this part, he discussed the Chicago Fire's latest acquisition: free agent midfielder Robin Lod. While not a like-for-like replacement of Brian Gutierrez or famed international talent, Lod bring a toughness, winning pedigree, and consistent on-field performance that the Men in Red will surely benefit from. Lod had a distinguished career with Minnesota United, and his experience in MLS is another factor that benefits Chicago. Nick also looks at the transfers that have been occurring around the league, and rattles them off in lighting-round formt. He notices that DC United quietly is having a producting off-season, signing three starters from within MLS. He's also noticed an increasing trend of intraleague signings. The Fire could really take advantage of this with their next crop of academy players. Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder. Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey, soccer fans! Nick is back with Part 2 of his Chicago Fire and Major League Soccer holiday roundup. Today, he discusses the rumored divisional realignment that could take place with the 2027-2028 MLS season. This alignment would see the departure from the current Eastern/Western Conferences and transition to six, geographic based divisions, specifically: Midwest: Chicago Fire, Minnesota United, St. Louis City, Sporting KC, FC Cincinnati, Columbus Crew. Pacific/Northwest: Portland Timbers, Seattle Sounders, Vancouver Whitecaps, San Jose Earthquakes, Real Salt Lake, Colorado Rapids. South/West: LA Galaxy, LAFC, San Diego FC, Austin FC, Houston Dynamo, FC Dallas East/Southeast: DC United, Nashville SC, Atlanta United, Orlando City, Inter Miami, Charlotte FC East/Northeast: Philadelphia Union, New York Red Bulls, New York City FC, Toronto FC, CF Montreal, New England Revolution In the second half of the show, Nick previews the Coachella Valley Invitational tournment. This season, the Men in Red face LA Galaxy, Austin FC, and the Portland Timbers in their pre-season tournament. These cross-conference opponents provide a great test for the Fire as they look to build on a succesful 2025 season. Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder. Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey, soccer fans! Nick is back with his holiday round-up of all things Chicago Fire FC and Major League Soccer. In Part 1, he reviews the latest reporting on the club's meetings with star Poland and Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski. Things look to be progressing, but slowly. Tune in as Nick gives his thoughts on how Lewa could fit within the Fire's system and what their roster could look in over the next few seasons. In the second half of the show, Nick discusses the Men in Red's MLS SuperDraft pick, defender/midfielder Jack Sandmeyer of the University of North Carolina. A versatile defendive player, but one that projects as a centerback in Nick's mind, Sandmeyer could be the future starter paired with Cupps and Mbokazi. What do you think of the Fire's sole selectionfrom the 2026 draft? Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder. Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey, soccer fans! Nick is back talking all things Chicago Fire FC, Major League Soccer, and the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Tune in as he says farewell to Brian Gutierrez, who transferred to Chivas in Liga MX, and to Giorgos Koutsias, who had his loan to FC Lugano in Switzerland made permanent. The Men in Red will have to make up for the offense lost, but Nick think that will come after they fix the defense. Tune and see if you agree with his analysis. Next, Nick looks at the ConcacafChampions Cup draw from the MLS perspective. Nine MLS clubs made the top tournament in the region, and each of them have a difficult pathway - be it facing multiple Liga MX clubs or familiar MLS opponents. To wrap the show, Nick breaks down the World Cup groups after the recent draw, and he examines what he thinks are the Groups of Death. He also evaluates the best matchups for the United States within its group and rants about the greed of FIFA in their ticket pricing. Finally, he recaps the ESPN articles ranking the USMNT player pool. Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder. Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey, soccer fans! And congratulations to Inter Miami CF on their MLS Cup victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps! In this episode, Nick breaks down the stats, the big plays, and the just what the Herons did to win their first Major League Soccer championship. Though cheering against the Boys in Pink, Nick realized that the 'Caps never had control of the match despite the strong statistics. But, Miami is a team that bought its title - a strategy that is difficult to maintain - while Vancouver is a team on the rise and is sure to be in the trophy hunt over the next several seasons. In the second half of the show, Nick looks ahead to the next installment of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. A reduced field of 80 teams will compete for the trophy next season. Tune in as Nick looks at the schedule, new rules, and qualification standards for each of the divisions in US Soccer. Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder. Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey, soccer fans! MLS Cup 2025 is almost here! Who takes home the trophy: Inter Miami aka Messi & Friends or the Vancouver Whitecaps? Nick breaks down the matchup, the stars who will impact the game, and gives his reactions to the pick from the pundits at Major League Soccer. Later in the show, Nick extols the passion of the South African soccer fans that has come in full-force from the Chicago Fire signing Mbekezeli Mbokazi, the rising center back star from the Orlando Pirates. He also provides an update on the new food and beverage partner, Levy, for the new stadium opening in 2028 at The 78 neighborhood. Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder. Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey, soccer fans! Nick is back after a Thanksgiving week vacation to Rome. (Be sure to check him on YouTube wearing his new Roma jersey.) He's still a little jet-lagged, but brings to you all the transfer talk surrounding the Chicago Fire. Is Georgios Koutsias likely to return to the Windy City? Will Brian Gutierrez make his move to Liga MX? Just how good is the new center back signing from South Africa, Mbekezeli Mbokazi? Tune in and Nick will answer all these questions and more! Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder. Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey, soccer fans! Major League Soccer and the Chicago Fire have released their 2026 season schedule. Listen in as Nick gives you the breakdown of the season, the matches he's highlighted, and what the Men in Red's non-conference opponents look like. The Fire's 2026 season has a long home stretch, a long away stretch, and featured matches against the Philadelphia Union, Vancouver Whitecaps, and Inter Miami. We also see the Fire host Sporting Kansas City and the Portland Timbers, while travelling to Seattle for some cross-continental action. Nick also gives a preliminary scouting report on Fire transfer target Mbekezeli Mbokazi. The 20 year old South African centerback is primed to jump from the South African Premiership, prove himself at a higher level, and possibly leap to a top league in Europe. For now, though, he's expected to sign with Chicago and provide a much-needed defensive piece as the club is likely to move on from Chase Gasper and Omar Gonzalez, and Jack Elliott's future is in doubt. Which matches are you most excited for? How do you think the Chicago Fire's schedule looks? Are you in on signing Mbekezeli Mbokazi? Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder. Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey, soccer fans! The post-season is roster build season! Clubs all around Major League Soccer are releasing players, extending contracts, and exercising options on big names and depth pieces. While the Chicago Fire made news signing Andre Franco and Anton Saletros, there are a now a number of available players with MLS experience the Men in Red should consider evaluating. Would you like Giacomo Vrioni backing up Hugo Cuypers? How about Sean Johnson returngin to Chicago to back up Chris Brady? Could Bryce Duke fit in as a start for Gregg Berhalter's style of play? Nick also discussed the terrible allegations against Philadelphia Union Sporting Director Ernst Tanner. Accused - again and by more sources - of homphobic, misogynistic, and racist comments, MLS has re-opened their investigation into Tanner. Meanwhile, the club has placed him on leave. Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder. Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey, soccer fans! They finally did it. Major League Soccer has approved a calendar shift. Starting with the 2027 season, the league calendar will run from July to May, with a winter break. Tune in as Nick gives you all the facts, goes over all the reactions, and reads you the quotes from the decision-makers in MLS. This is a historic development. As part of the news, MLS has announced that it will not require a separate subscription to MLS Season Pass, and that all games and content will be available with an Apple TV subscription. What does this signify for the growth of the league? Stay tuned, and Nick will give you his opinions. Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder. Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey, soccer fans! There were some major announcements from the Chicago Fire and Major League Soccer recently. In this episode, Nick gives all the deatils on the permanent signing of Andre Franco from FC Porto and the finalized deal to bring Anton Saletros to the Men in Red from AIK in Sweden. Could these two also be playing with Walker Zimmerman, who leaves Nashville SC as a free-agent? Nick breaks down how he'd fit tactically and within Greg Berhalter's system. Don't forget to subscribe and follow the show wherever you listen. Nick has a double header of episodes coming your way discussing a historic announcment from the MLS. Stay tuned! Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder. Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey, soccer fans! The Chicago Fire's 2025 has come to a close, with a disappointing defeat against the Philadelphia Union. The play on the field was terrible, and the behavior of a number of fans was even worse. We talk about the poor performances, touch on the future of the team, and quickly recap the playoff picture from around Major League Soccer. Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder. Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey, soccer fans! The MLS Playoffs are in full swing, and the Chicago Fire provided the most exciting match of the first round when they took Supporters' Shield winner Philadelphia Union to penalties, ultimately falling short of the upset. The Men in Red came out with a game plan to play ugly, slow things down, and look for counter-attack opportunities. Despite excuting well, the Fire found themselves in 2-0 hole late, but stormed back behind goals from Jonathan Bamba and Jack Elliott. This team never gives up. Listen in to hear Nick's takes on the big plays, the coaching decisions, and how the result could affect Game 2. Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder. Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey, soccer fans! Nick has somewhat recovered from his night at the MLS Play-In Game where the Chicago Fire defeated Orlando City 3-1 to advance to the 1st round of the MLS Cup Playoffs. The Men in Red played a nearly perfect match, outworking, outplaying, and outcoaching their opposition. Brian Gutierrez opened the scoring, and Hugo Cuypers sealed the win with two goals of his own. But no one on the Fire had a poor or even mediocre match. This will surely give the Fire faithful a boost of confident, and maybe give Philadelphia Union fans some doubt. Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder. Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey, soccer fans! It's the Major League Soccer Post-Season! The playoffs are finally here, and the Chicago Fire are finally back! Tune in as Nick breaks down the match up between the Men in Red and Orlando City. He looks at the stats, the players to watch, and gives his prediction for the play-in game. He looks at the rest of the playoff matchups and even takes a peek ahead to the possible Fire - Union matchup in the First Round. Nick concludes the show talking about Golden Boot winners and the latest MLS coaching vacancy - Atlanta United have fired Ronny Deila. Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder. Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey, soccer fans! The Chicago Fire return to the MLS Cup Playoffs, but will they be in the play-in game or able to secure a guaranteed first round appearance (complete with guaranteed home-match)? Tune in as Nick breaks down the scenarios. For the Men in Red to jump as high as 6th or 7th, they need to defeat the New England Revolution on Decision Day and need a little help from Nashville and Orlando City dropping points. It's not a wild scenario to see the Fire make a jump up the table on the final day of the season. Nick also gives you all the MLS Cup Playoffs trivia that you can handle - the all-time leading goal scorer, top performing clubs, and the longest playoff streaks and shoot-outs are all covered. Be sure to tune in and impress all your MLS friends this post-season. Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder. Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey, soccer fans! The Chicago Fire have the weekend off, but there is no shortage of soccer and MLS headlines. Tune in as Nick looks at the MLS playoff picture, breaks down the domestic and international schedule, and reviews the top headlines from around Major League Soccer. He analyzes the USMNT roster for the upcoming friendlies, identifying which players could have an impact on the field, and which players could have an impact in training and the locker room. The time is now for the USA to look towards the FIFA World Cup 2026. Nick also discusses Jordi Alba's sudden announcement of his retirment and runs down the list of the top 22 players under 22 in MLS. Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder. Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey, soccer fans! Rejoice! The Chicago Fire are back in the Major League Soccer post-season for the first time since 2017. After an incredible performance by the Men in Red against Inter Miami - winning in Ft. Lauderdale by a score of 5-3 - the Fire eliminate the Red Bulls and secure the last spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Tune in to hear what this match meant from a lifelong Fire fan and how the team can use it as inspiration for a playoff run. Nick next looks at the Fire's match against Toronto FC, an understandle let down of a 2-2 draw. Listen in as we discuss the stats, player performances, and what this means for the playoff picture. The Fire can still move up to the 6th spot in the East, but they'll need some help from Orlando City, Nashville, and Columbus. We conclude the show covering a handful of headlines from around the league, including the announcement of Darlington Nagbe's retirement. Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder. Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey, soccer fans! The Chicago Fire cooked the Columbus Crew over the weekend. Despite three goals being called back, the Men in Red defeated their Eastern Conference rival 2-0 behind goals from Andrew Gutman and Hugo Cuypers. The Fire dominated their opponent by keeping their three centerback system and pushing their wingbacks up the pitch. Tune in to hear the stats, goals, and how the Fire can make the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs. Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show. Follow the Fire on SportSpyder. Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.