Ummm, that would be "globally curious" to you, sir. "Inspired by Section 8 fans and fervent Club supporters, IDEO homed in on six defining brand personality traits: human, gritty, irreverent, indie, Chicago pride, and globally curious..." https://www.ideo.com/us/case-study/firing-up-a-new-pro-soccer-experience
John Dorn owns the territorial rights for Chicago. A PDL team could operate in Milwaukee, South Bend, or some other location, but no.
Exactly. From the commentary, it seems like Tulsa is happy to have the agreement and get players the Fire are hoping will develop. Even if Tulsa is in a second level league getting younger players playing time is important in their development. It's similar to baseball where only a few rare players jump directly into the big leagues. As young players like Freddy Adu showed, you can be a youth team wunderkind, but that doesn't automatically translate to being able to immediately play in MLS. Indeed, it's important for younger to face manageable challenges and increases in the level of competition to hone their skills, develop the ability to compete and gain confidence. The idea is to put the player in a place where they will succeed. Some people are anxious for younger players to play. But as proved to be the case with Adu, this sink or swim mentality can be devastating to a youngster. The risk is that you permanently stunt the player's development.
A blind, non-soccer fan can see the value of owning a USL club. But NRod can't? WTF! Only thing that makes sense is that he's carrying water for Cakes: minimal investment. Am very happy Calistri and Fernandez are getting an opportunity to flourish. But very frustrated that the Fire are effectively handcuffing themselves, with a 3 player limit. Utterly ludicrous.
A Milwaukee USL team makes so much sense you'd have to be more than stupid to ignore it. It needs active denial.
Greetings from Tulsa... The team finished dead last and had the fewest goals while allowing the most in USL last season, so any improvement would be welcome. Only two players from last year's team are with us this year. We figured out in Year 2 that the FO is comparatively cheap when it comes to player salaries so it seems like an affiliation with the Fire is an ideal low budget marriage made at Walmart. ;-) I live down the street from the ballpark and went to last Saturday's game... team is already much improved and played with some real purpose despite some lapses here and there. Combine that with Colo Springs' defender & GK gift wrapping a couple of goals and you have a well deserved 4-1 win.
Good games for Calistri and Fernandez in a Tulsa win (1-0). Calistri scored. Both guys played the full 90. Effin' great that they are getting serious time. Dekovic got in for the last ~6 minutes. Big kid.
Truly believe that Calistri and Fernandez would be regulars in our 18. But rotting away on the bench is not the smart move. Honestly feel that with a solid season of playing and progression, that CF will be knocking on the door, if not knocking the damn thing down. Don't know if Calistri projects as a starter, but he's definitely going to be a good depth piece. And now for my NRod/Cakes USL slam: get a club!!! Owning means control. We need a 2nd to the top layer of the pyramid. It's not rocket surgery, effers! Milwaukee makes so much sense. Ugh.
The Tulsa announcers are good, especially the Brit. Refreshing to watch a match and have the call augment the experience.
Calistri through his academy and collegiate career has always been a fox in the box. He wasn't a regular starter at the academy level, yet he often led his teams in goals. It's fanciful to imagine his talents square pegged at the wing; and, or at fullback, but much easier to see he has as a Mike Magee skill set. MLS has seen more than a few guys have long careers as game changing subs off the bench. Going all out German on the day, the role of joker seems tailor made for Calistri.
Having had a bit of time to mull this over, really think Calistri's path of least resistance to the 11 is at fullback. Think he has the requisite pace and will have no issue joining the attack. In fact, think he could be VG at it. He appears to be responsible defensively. Why not give it a shot?
Yesterday Chicago Fire U18 & U16 academy teams both posted victories over their Crew Wolves academy opponents. The U18s leaped over their opponents into second place in the Mid-American Division, trailing only the Indiana Fire. CFA teams not involved in the Adidas cup are idle until after Easter weekend. This week the Fire send a U17 team to the Adidas Cup in Dallas. They will compete in the Premier Division (second flight) against the Revs, Union, & Monterrey. All games are streamed. http://www.chicago-fire.com/post/20...academy-learn-opponents-generation-adidas-cup Academy prospect Nicholas Slonina, currently in US Soccer's final U17 residency semester in Bradenton. was singled out by Will Parchment as the academy's top prospect. http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/03/30/parchman-every-mls-clubs-top-academy-prospect
I think that any other owner except Hauptman would come to the quick conclusion that Milwaukee as a USL market would be perfect. From the northwest burbs, Milwaukee is not a bad trip at all, plus great microbreweries as well. Milwaukee has a team in the NPSL, but I believe they have higher ambitions. I agree that who doesn't have higher ambitions, but what a great market for a team. Look at a kid like Fernandez. He still would be able to train with the A team a couple of days a week. He also wouldn't be living hundreds of miles from Chicago. Yes, just frustrating even thinking about the wasted opportunity.
It's not about the 3 prospects you send to your affiliate so they can play, it's about total control of a legitimate 2nd layer of the pyramid. Why severely constrain player development when you don't have to? Cheap, cheap, cheap bastards. Agree with your points about Milwaukee: total no-brainer.