MIR97 Podcast

John is joined by Alan and Tim to review a 2-0 loss to Nashville that reminds us that the project is still new. First, new renders and details emerge about the Fire's new downtown stadium, and Tim attended a town hall to learn all about it.

John is joined by Tim and Ben Wright of SixOneFive Soccer to preview the next home match for the Fire. Nashville travels to Chicago for the reverse match after a 7-2 thumping the Fire suffered earlier in the season. First, the USMNT lost 0-4 to Switzerland as Chris Brady watched from the bench. Find Ben Wright here: https://linktr.ee/benwri 

John is joined by Tim and Alan to review a showcase of the Fire attack under Gregg Berhalter after the side puts 7 goals past DC United on the road. Tom Barlow has a career night filling in for Hugo Cuypers, scoring his first hat trick in MLS. Philip Zinkernagel starts in the middle as questions about Brian Gutiérrez's future swirl.Listen to our Stadium episode with David Gass here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3yOGwdfXmX3qIs23W5vsiF?si=qJcGkbpoS6amh1pCpx8dOQ

Recorded LIVE on May 28th 2025

John and Tim talk about an upcoming away day to DC to play a team that may be down their star forward. Fire players begin leaving to go out to their national teams.

John is joined by Tim and David Gass of Soccerwise to discuss the perception-altering announcement by Joe Mansueto that the Chicago Fire intend to build a privately funded stadium in the city proper by 2028.Find and listen to Soccerwise: https://linktr.ee/soccerwisehq

John, DJ, and Tim review a strong performance from a rotated squad away in Orlando. Pineda reaches 10,000 minutes played for the Men In Red and will celebrate with a suspension from yellow card accumulation. Questions surround Guti as the summer transfer window approaches.

John and Tim preview an upcoming trip to Orlando, Florida where a chilled Fire will match up against a hot Orlando City side. Chris Brady will find himself wearing a different shirt after he's called into the USMNT camp ahead of friendlies against Turkiye and Switzerland. Guti will miss the next match while he serves a suspension for the red card picked up in NYC.

John is joined by Alan, Tim, and DJ to commiserate over a loss to NYCFC. Guti is sent straight off for violent play, while Dje D'Avilla earns a controversial second yellow on a tackle inside the box. Pineda comes off in the first half with an injury.

John is joined by Tim and DJ to review a win over Chicago's traditional rival New England Revolution in the latest round of the US Open Cup.  Brian Dowd is loaned to Fire II. Chris Brady and Brian Gutierrez added to USMNT Gold Cup provisional roster.  GGG takes his team back on the road to the East Coast as the Fire look to keep the hot away streak going against NYCFC.

John is joined by DJ and Tim to review what may be the Fire's most impressive performance of the season. Brian Gutierrez shines on both sides of the ball as GGG's system begins to set in. The Men in Red will match up against historic rivals New England Revolution in the next round of the US Open Cup this Tuesday.

John is joined by DJ and Tim to preview the Fire's next match against Charlotte FC away. Chris Mueller returns to training. The Bears are taking over Solider Field.

Matt is joined by Alan, Tim and DJ to discuss the Fire's first home win of the 2025 campaign. As the new players begin to settle in, who among them are earning a starting spot?

The guys break down Wednesday's win over Detroit City FC in the Fire's first match of the 2025 US Open Cup.

John is joined by DJ and Alan to break down a bounce back game that saw Chicago's strikers unable to put a ball in the net. GGG sends out 6 Academy products to start, and Cupps becomes the youngest player to start in Fire history in a confidence boosting clean sheet. Chris Brady was sent off after a flying tackle outside the box, setting it up for Gal's Fire debut.

John is joined by Matt to discuss your Hot Takes, including: 'Elliot is a bust!'; 'Save the starters for Detroit City'; 'De Bruyne or PASS'; 'Want to see what Shaqiri could do in Red in 2025?'; and 'Acosta is washed'. Recorded LIVE on 4/30/2025

John is joined by Matt and DJ to preview the Fire's next game against Orlando City SC as GGG looks to improve the performance of the Fire's backline.Recorded in front of a live audience prior to Hot Takes LIVE S3:E:04 on 4/30/2025.

John is joined by DJ and Tim to discuss what turned out to be a disastrous trip to the Music City for the Fire.

Alex Calabrese interviews Apple TV announcer Tony Husband ahead of the Fire's match against Nashville SC.

John, Matt and DJ preview the first ever USMNT twitter Derby as Gregg Berhalter's Chicago Fire head down to Geodis Park to take on BJ Callaghan' Nashville SC. The guys talk Nashville's surprising start, how the fire can contain Mukhtar and Surridge, and if GGG needs to switch things up to get their fire back to the winning ways from earlier in the year. 

John is joined by Matt and Tim to review a 3-2 home loss to FC Cincinnati. The Fire will face Detroit City FC in the Open Cup.

John is joined by Tim and DJ to discuss the breaking news of a serious inquiry by the Fire to Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne. https://meninred97.com/sources-chicago-fire-in-chase-to-sign-kevin-de-bruyne/

John is joined by DJ and Tim to breakdown a thrilling (actually) 0-0 draw against 90' of Messi.

The crew reacts to the Fire's nil-nil draw vs a Miami side that had Messi in for 90.

John is joined by Matt, DJ, and Tim to speculate on who is suiting up for both the Fire and Miami this Sunday. Dje D'Avilla is spotted at training. Guti is approaching a return. Miami travel to Chicago  as the Fire look to capitalize to showcase their attack in front of a big crowd.

John is joined by Tim, DJ, and Alan to discuss the impacts of the Fire's injury woes on the first team and how the next men up are performing under pressure. Kellyn Acosta has yet to find his footing, but is he emerging as the heartbeat of the Fire's game? Hugo Cuypers outstanding recent form.

John is joined by Tim and DJ to discuss the signing of Dje D'Avilla, the future of Guti, and an away trip to the Red Bulls of New York.

Streamed LIVE March 31st, 2025 at youtube.com/@meninred97

John is joined by Alan, Matt, and Tim to recap a slow and wet match against Montreal at home. Although the Fire salvaged a point, injuries in the midfield prevented Chicago from putting together a coherent attack.

Matt is joined by DJ, Tim, and John to preview a home game against a Montreal side that recently parted ways with their head coach. Will the Fire put together a complete game before embarking on a more difficult stretch to the season?

John is joined by Alan and DJ to discuss the conclusion of a three game road trip that saw the Fire bring 9 points back to Chicago.

John is joined by Tim, DJ, and Matt to talk about an almost unheard of string of comeback, on-the-road wins for the Fire. With 4 games in the books, who's stock is up or down? Chicago travels back across the border for a matchup in Vancouver where the Fire will try to win their third straight road match.

John is joined by Alan, Tim and DJ to celebrate GGG's first cup win in the 3-1 victory over Dallas for the Brimstone Cup. First, injuries have plagued the Fire, but what kind of moves are available to the club this window?  The Fire travel across the boarder to take on The Reds of Toronto FC.

Matt is joined by John, Paul and Joe on YouTube for Hot Takes LIVE!

Matt is joined by DJ, Alan, and Tim to break down everything that went right, and wrong, in the 2-2 Draw vs DC United. Later, the crew previews the next installment of the Brimstone cup.

Matt is joined by DJ, Alan, and Tim after an intriguing 4-2 loss to the Crew. Bamba and Guti made a quick connection while a clear identity was on display around the entire pitch. Tim spoke with Guti in a rare post game interview. The guys then make bold predictions about what will happen in the Fire home opener this Saturday against DC United in what has been dubbed as a must-win game.

Matt is joined by DJ, Tim, and Joe of On Tap Sports Net to preview the 2025 Season. First, the guys recap the 2025 preseason which gave everyone a reason to be hopeful as the season begins this Saturday in Columbus. Matt brings Hot Takes to The Bonfire, player predictions are made, club predictions are made, and more.

Tim joins David Gass on the Soccerwise Podcast to talk about the 2025 Chicago Fire. Will Guti have his breakout year? How has Gregg Berhlater done thus far in his tenure? What is this year's ceiling and will GGG help wake a sleeping giant? Listen to Soccerwise: https://open.spotify.com/show/3avVYlzUnqlFaibuYsx7n9

Alan, Tim, and DJ join to quickly discuss the (bland) new kit, a number of roster moves, and a recap of the 3 preseason games thus far.

Matt is joined by DJ and Tim to discuss the roster buildup towards the 2025 season. First, the FIRE are back in the US Open Cup in what may be considered the clubs best shot at hardware. Bamba officially joins the club, raising the ceiling of the squad's wingers.

Tim and DJ recap a wild week of Fire rumors and news. Shock transfer rumor for Neymar lit the league on fire. Bamba signs. 

Allan is joined by DJ, Matt, and Alex to discuss the beginning of the 2025 campaign as the Preseason officially kicks off. First, players are moving in and out of the Fire lineup. Philip Zinckernagel joins as a TAM player, while Tobias Salquist moves out. Brian Gutierrez joins the USMNT January camp in a chance to break into Pochettino's player pool. Gregg Berhalter adds to his coaching staff.

Welcome to Season 3 of The Bonfire! Alan is joined by Matt, Alex, DJ, and Tim to talk about the Fire's outlook going into 2025. First, Gaston Gimenez has departed. GGG looks to add a DP winger before the season begins. Could a DP CM follow? Acosta wants to return to the USMNT picture in 2025, could a current, or future, Fire player join him? Matt and DJ's autism clash. With a cleared out roster, the Fire look to be active before the season begins. Our New Year's resolutions set expectations for the 2025 season high. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mir97/support

Tim is joined by DJ and Alex to recap what has been a busy beginning to the Fire's offseason. Chicago has captured the signature of Jack Elliott as Berhalter begins to shape the Fire's build. The 2025 roster has been released and the Fire will open the season away at Columbus. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mir97/support

Alan is joined by Tim and DJ to recap recent news and provide an outlook to the offseason. First, Berhalter states only 5 players are locked into start. There are many moves being made in the organization; staff going to Lugano, staff leaving, Fire 2 coach turnover, and players are coming and going. There are some rumors spinning up, which ones have legs? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mir97/support

Alan is joined by DJ and Tim to discuss the Fire Awards, David Poreba winning the MLSNP MVP Award, and Gregg Berhalter's first moves at the helm. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mir97/support

U.S. Soccer Hall of Famer Alexi Lalas joins the show for a special one-on-one interview about the Chicago Fire and the club's decision to hire former USMNT manager Gregg Berhalter. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mir97/support

Alan is joined by Tim and DJ to discuss the end of the 2024 season. The Klopas era ends with a loss to Nashville. Options have been exercised, and some long time Fire players have been declined. Fire 2 continue their playoff run this Sunday against Crew 2. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mir97/support

Alan is joined by DJ and Tim to preview the Fire's final match of the season against Nashville. First, Fire II enter the playoffs on Sunday. Chicago players nominated to MLS end of year awards. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mir97/support

Alan is joined by Tim and DJ to analyze the breaking news of the Fire appointing Gregg Berhalter as Director of Football and Head Coach. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mir97/support