PBP: Home Opener Chicago Fire v. Cincinnati FC (forlorn chili) Soldier Field 7:30 MLS Season Pass

xtomx · Mar 1, 2024

Well, FINALLY, THE CHICAGO FIRE HAVE COME BACK TO .....CHICAGO!

Unfortunately, they are facing Cincinnati, who are 3-1-1 against the Fire...in Chicago.
Overall, the Fire are 3-3-4 (WTL) against their foes from Southern Ohio.

Last season, in the Fire home opener, they played to a 3-3 draw in the the coldest home match in Fire history, with the Fire miraculously giving up two goals in the last five minutes to snatch a draw from jaws of victory.

The good news is that the Fire will be wearing their new RED home jerseys for the first time in Chicago.
Men in Red are back, baby! We'll what they actually look like live in Color.

Cincinnati has been busy this past month, playing a scoreless draw with Toronto and two games in CONCACAF, scoring 6 goals and conceding ZERO.

The Fire have a game under their belt, the incredibly disappointing draw against Philadelphia, giving up the lead twice in capitulating to the Union.

This is the first time we get to see PROMISED Chicago Fire DP9 and the greatest player of ALL TIME, Hugo Cuypers. Who needs Lewandowski? We have Hugo!

Who's the Best?
Hugo

Whooo?
Hu-Go

Whooooooo?
HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU-GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Really, I have extremely high hopes for Cuypers. I have him pegged at getting close to (or exceeding) Nikolic from 2017. Anything less than 20 goals by him will be a disappointment.

Of course, that presumes that the Fire midfield holds up.
However, with both Gutierrez (MOTM last week) and Shaqiri (NOT MOTM last week) feed him from midfield, Cuypers should dominate in MLS.

Also, we are likely to see the first start for the major signing for the Fire-Kellyn Acosta. This means that one of Navarro or Gimenez (sorry, Designated Player Gimenez) head to the bench. Most likely Navarro.

Our third big signing, Andrew Gutman, went down with an injury 2 minutes into last week's match. Reports are he'll be out a few weeks, but not long term.

Cincinnati are simply a very, very good soccer team.
They won the Supporter's Shield last season.
Made the Conference finals
US Open semifinals
Cincinnati Won most of the major player awards, including
MVP Luciano Acosta (17 g, 14a).
Defender of the Year
Save of the Year
Coach of the Year
Sporting Director of the Year (didn't even know that was a thing)

The big question is:
Who's Acosta will prove to be the superior Acosta on the night of the Acosta???

We can chant: "Our Acosta is bigger than your Acosta"
(Luciano Acosta is listed a very petite 5'3")

I have no clue what the line up will be for the Fire but I want to see:
Cuypers
Mueller Gutierrez Shaqiri MHS
Acosta
4 Defenders-I hope Salquist plays as I am curious to see why the Fire wanted him for the past couple of years
Brady

But I won't see that, as Herbers will likely start, one or both of Mueller and MHS will start on the bench, and we will stupidly start two CDM.

There should be a huge crowd tomorrow, at least there better be.

The Fire will win the match:
3-2, with goals from Shaqiri, Cuypers and, probably, Czichos

schroncar · Mar 1, 2024

Our Acosta is the better Acosta AND the lower costa Acosta.

Gobernador Blanco · Mar 2, 2024

The club is saying 25k expected to attend. Maybe the warmer weather will get some last minute people to join in.

xtomx · Mar 2, 2024

Gobernador Blanco said: ↑

The club is saying 25k expected to attend. Maybe the warmer weather will get some last minute people to join in.
Click to expand...

They've called/texted/emailed me close to 25,000 times this past week or so about going to the game (four or five times today).
I'd go, if I didn't have to teach a class tomorrow. Never make it to Chicago in time.

Jiggly_333 · Mar 2, 2024

I do appreciate the Netflix Avatar slander. Just finished rewatching the whole original show tonight and started on Korra. Now that's one where I'd love to see live action with a few extra liberties taken. Mostly because I feel the animation didn't go hard enough with her story.

Anyway, I think the Fire can win this one. Pure vibes, I think the Fire have a very firm storyline going into this one. Plus, it feels like with Guti's quick emergence (due to finally shooting the ball), we might actually score goals. We're gonna get a decent crowd and a decent game this time. Whether it'll be something that'll actually set the tone for March is a different question.

bunge · Mar 2, 2024

xtomx said: ↑

They've called/texted/emailed me close to 25,000 times this past week or so about going to the game (four or five times today).
I'd go, if I didn't have to teach a class tomorrow. Never make it to Chicago in time.
Click to expand...

harrylee773 · Mar 2, 2024

I’ll be there, cheering for the team from the best food city in the world against the team from the worst food city in Kentucky. Of all of the Federal agencies to share an acronym with, FCC chose the most worthless - oh no, The Feds are coming to get us - is it the IRS? The ATF? lol, no it’s the FCC,AND THEYRE GOING TO PUT STICKERS ON OUR RECORDS!!1!

Should be a big crowd, we win easily, 6-0, with goals by Shaq, Cuypers, Guti, and Brady with a PK to close it all out. With the victory, the Pres of the USSF will come out on to the field and present us with the 2024 US Open Cup trophy, and announce that MLS has lost Division 1 sanctioning to cheers of “Garber sucks”.

willydonc · Mar 2, 2024

THEY'RE READY!
THEY'RE READY!
THEY'RE READY!
THEY'RE READY!

Pennsylvania Dave · Mar 2, 2024

Stuff relevant to today that will be irrelevant tomorrow.

It's matchday madness! 🔥

Don't worry, we've got your guide to all things matchday ready to go.
— Chicago Fire FC (@ChicagoFire) March 2, 2024

Chicago Sun Times (WOW AN ARTICLE NOT ABOUT MESSI?!?!?!) Subscription
https://chicago.suntimes.com/fire/2...-kits-home-opener-soldier-field-fc-cincinnati

BREAKING NEWS!!!!
Hive₂O Hard Honey ™ is an official Partner of the Chicago Fire FC
https://www.wpri.com/business/press...s-an-official-partner-of-the-chicago-fire-fc/

What better way to celebrate Home Opener, than by giving our fans a fresh batch of 2024 #cf97 GIFs! 😏

Drop your favorite one below ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/obnsLnG1GU
— Chicago Fire FC (@ChicagoFire) March 2, 2024

Tonight, Chicago burns Red. 😤

🎟️: https://t.co/Q8xorIZI72 #cf97 | @Ticketmaster pic.twitter.com/tn1MdGDpSw
— Chicago Fire FC (@ChicagoFire) March 2, 2024

Step inside Starting XI huddle for an exclusive listen to Shaqiri's pregame speech before we took on Philadelphia Union.#cf97 | #VamosFire | @XS_11official pic.twitter.com/VfxcMQGdKQ
— Chicago Fire FC (@ChicagoFire) March 2, 2024

MIR '97: How to Watch Chicago Fire vs. FC Cincinnati: Who will referee the game?
https://meninred97.com/how-to-watch-chicago-fire-vs-fc-cincinnati-who-will-referee-the-game/

MIR '97: Fire vs FC Cincinnati: Tactics and Starting XI
https://meninred97.com/fire-vs-fc-cincinnati-tactics-and-starting-xi/

FC Cincinnati: By the numbers-FC Cincinnati at Chicago Fire FC
https://www.fccincinnati.com/news/by-the-number-fc-cincinnati-at-chicago-fire-fc

Fox 19: Where to Watch Chicago Fire vs. FC Cincinnati in the US: MLS TV Channel & Live Stream March 2
https://www.fox19.com/sports/betting/2024/03/02/mls-chicago-vs-fc-cincinnati-soccer-live-stream-tv/

Pennsylvania Dave · Mar 2, 2024

Re bumping the FC in forlorn chili I do want to say I went to Dixie Chili like 10 or so days ago when I was in Cincinnati. Mostly I don't get it. I enjoyed the atmosphere but was kind of excited to get a Kronos gyro (allegedly) because they are not as easy to find down Kentucky way. Anyway, it was kind of bland and I had a side of (3 way) chili which was on spaghetti noodles. I mean...if. you are drunk at 3am this might work but mostly I didn't really get it. I do dig Cincinnati especially the Newport/Covington side of the river but yes, the chili gets a big thumbs down for me. Perhaps I need to try a different chili purveyor? Or maybe I should have had some chili dogs?

xtomx · Mar 2, 2024

Pennsylvania Dave said: ↑

Re bumping the FC in forlorn chili I do want to say I went to Dixie Chili like 10 or so days ago when I was in Cincinnati. Mostly I don't get it. I enjoyed the atmosphere but was kind of excited to get a Kronos gyro (allegedly) because they are not as easy to find down Kentucky way. Anyway, it was kind of bland and I had a side of (3 way) chili which was on spaghetti noodles. I mean...if. you are drunk at 3am this might work but mostly I didn't really get it. I do dig Cincinnati especially the Newport/Covington side of the river but yes, the chili gets a big thumbs down for me. Perhaps I need to try a different chili purveyor? Or maybe I should have had some chili dogs?

Click to expand...

There was a "Cincinnati chili" place on Broadway and (I think Briar) in Lincoln Park back in the mid-90's, with "5 way chili," (no garlic, like in the video). It was not great, but the chili was less bland that in Cincinnati.

The spaghetti is weird, elbows are much better as a base for chili.

The chili in the video just looks gross.

Pennsylvania Dave · Mar 2, 2024

xtomx said: ↑

There was a "Cincinnati chili" place on Broadway and (I think Briar) in Lincoln Park back in the mid-90's, with "5 way chili," (no garlic, like in the video). It was not great, but the chili was less bland that in Cincinnati.

The chili in the video just looks gross.
Click to expand...

Well if you think of it as "chili" yes. it's gross. If you think of it as some kind of meat sauce it's just ok. Edible but in like an elementary school cafeteria spaghetti day kind of way.

Inter-Messi just destroyed Orlando 5-0.

xtomx · Mar 2, 2024

Pennsylvania Dave said: ↑

Well if you think of it as "chili" yes. it's gross. If you think of it as some kind of meat sauce it's just ok. Edible but in like an elementary school cafeteria spaghetti day kind of way.

Inter-Messi just destroyed Orlando 5-0.
Click to expand...

I will say quite a few diners have similar "meat sauce" and it is, by an large, nasty.

Chili is one of my favorite things to make, so I find this "meat sauce" an insult to chili.

"...elementary school cafeteria spaghetti day" is probably the single biggest insult one can level at any food. Well stated.

milicz · Mar 2, 2024

Acosta for Gutman at LB, otherwise the same lineup. Love it.

Pennsylvania Dave · Mar 2, 2024

milicz said: ↑

Acosta for Gutman at LB, otherwise the same lineup. Love it.
Click to expand...

Interesting.

Pennsylvania Dave · Mar 2, 2024

Quite a few Palestine flags in the section I hear. I approve of this message.

Will Apple TV?

milicz · Mar 2, 2024

Missing my first opener in 20 some years I think. In NY at Smithfield Hall.

schroncar · Mar 2, 2024

Pennsylvania Dave said: ↑

Re bumping the FC in forlorn chili I do want to say I went to Dixie Chili like 10 or so days ago when I was in Cincinnati. Mostly I don't get it. I enjoyed the atmosphere but was kind of excited to get a Kronos gyro (allegedly) because they are not as easy to find down Kentucky way. Anyway, it was kind of bland and I had a side of (3 way) chili which was on spaghetti noodles. I mean...if. you are drunk at 3am this might work but mostly I didn't really get it. I do dig Cincinnati especially the Newport/Covington side of the river but yes, the chili gets a big thumbs down for me. Perhaps I need to try a different chili purveyor? Or maybe I should have had some chili dogs?

Click to expand...

I do not remember anyone ever saying they liked Cincinnati chili!

lurak · Mar 2, 2024

I am going to watch on Apple after my shot of Malört. Had a few beers already this afternoon. Maybe I should put on my Blanco jersey since they are in red tonight.

Pennsylvania Dave · Mar 2, 2024

schroncar said: ↑

I do not remember anyone ever saying they liked Cincinnati chili!
Click to expand...

No...noone likes it. <see thread title once again>

xtomx · Mar 2, 2024

schroncar said: ↑

I do not remember anyone ever saying they liked Cincinnati chili!
Click to expand...

The douchy guy on the video seemed to like it!
I had a very good friend (and former Fire season ticket holder) from Cincinnati and I think he liked it okay.

xtomx · Mar 2, 2024

milicz said: ↑

Missing my first opener in 20 some years I think. In NY at Smithfield Hall.
Click to expand...

That's a shame.

Are they showing the match at Smithfield Hall?

I am sure they can put it a tv or two for you!

schroncar · Mar 2, 2024

milicz said: ↑

Acosta for Gutman at LB, otherwise the same lineup. Love it.
Click to expand...

Wow! Never would have guessed that! Exciting!

overlap_old_coach · Mar 2, 2024

milicz said: ↑

Acosta for Gutman at LB, otherwise the same lineup. Love it.
Click to expand...

Back to his original position!

xtomx · Mar 2, 2024