And he had 5 goals for the Fire in "only" 50 matches played, in 1090 minutes. Who needs Lewandowski, we should have just kept 'mighty' Tom Barlow! Actually, good that he is getting some playing time. Seemed like a decent enough person.
Was he - underutilized? underappreciated? Unmotivated? Not sure. Looking like a change in scenery was needed.
Excessive expectations for a teenager, not all talent is wunderkind, and now that he is maturing his potential is blooming.
I think the first two more than the latter- one of the things that impressed me about him way back in 2021 or so was the way he went after every 50/50 ball like it was his, chased every ball down until hit the end line, and generally seemed to care as much as any of the vets on the team. His creativeness was obviously the draw, but his hustle is what put him in positions to be creative to begin with. Once Greggg came I think it was just a situation where he didn’t fit into the system, and despite his and Greggg’s best efforts, it made more sense to move on than to try fitting the round peg into the square hole.
He seemed to lose that drive for the 50/50 ball. I too imagine what Gregg was asking simply didn’t fit his style. I’m just glad he didn’t go to another MLS team.
I didn’t see that from him, but I did see him being less aggressive offensively to fit in what appeared to be Gregg’s desire to have him play more of a two way (rather than attacking) role. Hard to tell intent, of course, and I was watching way more games on tv last year compared to actually attending and seeing the whole field in previous years, so there may be some things I missed. I would’ve been furious if we let him to another MLS team, probably more so than I am that the USMNT let him go. It’s been fun watching him meet the moment in league and national games since the move. I’m very happy for him and hope his run of form continues through and beyond the WC.
The Red cards he picked up might influenced his "aggressiveness" and drove for 50/50 balls a bit. I have no problem with him going to Mexico, playing fine there and great for him making the Mexican World Cup team. Two Chicago Fire homegrown players making World Cup squads is pretty cool. Now, Djordje...? Not sure why he barely gets a sniff for the USMNT.
Speaking of Fire homegrown players, we have not heard about Gabriel SLONINA in a while. I did not realize that he was sold to Chelsea 363 days after he made his professional debut for the Fire (pro debut was August 4, 2021 and sale was August 2, 2022.). What was Chelsea thinking?
Personally, I think Chelsea makes a lot of questionable acquisitions. Was definitely a compressed timetable, especially for a GK.
I'm curious about how his injuries played into this, because his play (when healthy and in form) has been worthy!
Welp, goodbye Cuypers https://www.933thedrive.com/2026/07/19/report-fire-transfer-striker-hugo-cuypers-to-cf-monterrey/
Ex-Villa striker Duran joins seventh club aged 22 https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c75gwl3n50qo
𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗭𝗜𝗘 𝗞𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗦𝗜 🤍🖤Dopo più di un anno e mezzo in bianconero, Georgios Koutsias passa a titolo definitivo al Futebol Clube Famalicão, squadra della Primeira Liga portoghese. 🇵🇹Grazie di tutto, Georgios. E in bocca al lupo per la tua nuova avventura! ✨Il… pic.twitter.com/4koC2tVyJI— FC Lugano (@FCLugano1908) July 24, 2026
If he wanted to return to the Fire, would we take him at this point? I am not sure. He does not seem happy anywhere. He also has not been very productive. If he wanted to return to the Fire, would we take him at this point? Yes, I think so.
[QUOTE="xtomx, post: 43877165, member: If he wanted to return to the Fire, would we take him at this point? Yes, I think so.[/QUOTE] For TAM if he has grown emotionally. So probably not.
An Ex-Fire legend is back in MLS. New England "shook up the f'n soccer world, boys" today! Jack Harrison is the new DP for The Revolution. and the world groaned and went on its way. https://www.revolutionsoccer.net/ne...ish-winger-jack-harrison-as-designated-player
Cuypers did a solid and scored a goal and helped Monterey knock off Miami today while Guti has unfortunately done everything he can to make sure Dallas wins. Also, Acosta scored for Pogoń today.
Too bad the team and GGG didn’t assure Cuypers that would be the case. Guy gives his all for the club and people still want to shit talk and exclusively blame him when circumstances that we have almost zero insight into lead to him deciding that a fresh start is everyone’s best interest. Was a better option him staying and becoming increasingly bitter as GGG reduced his role little-by-little as Bob acclimated and it became clear that GGG cant coach in a two striker system? Or for him to stick aorund and find out that theres no chemistry between him and Bob and eventually rot on the bench or be used only a sub until the next transfer window opens? There were a million different scenarios that could have played out, and him and Lewy co-existing in a two striker system where both scored a ton was really low the probability scale.