I'm looking through same lens I looked at years ago for Sergio. Now I'm looking at opportunity for the likes of Reynolds, Osorio, Williams, etc. and they are missing the same opportunity.
If it weren’t for injuries, Sergio likely would not have been starting…and if KDB is signed he will probably will get bumped. But, to your point, those minutes have been clearly valuable to his development. So much so that I expect he will end up with at least 1500min this year! FWIW, Williams has played 25% of the first team’s 990 minutes this season. Reynolds has played 11%. For me, those are notable minutes. Osorio got hosed.
Exactly, but injuries gave youth the opportunity and Sergio seized it! Let's stay focused on my Open Cup point. GGG is playing starters or first-off-the-bench guys (Haile Selassie, Acosta, Glasgow, Kouame) in the first MLS round of the Open Cup - with a MLS game in 3 days. It's slightly desperate IMO and I accept that others may not disagree. I have watched Chicago youth soccer for 30 years and the conversation is nuanced. I'm just saying if we don't go far I see it as a big loss. Hopefully we win a championship and this convo is a moot point. Personally I can't just cheer everything that GGG does or I'd be a company man. And we have enough of those around here haha! Personally I liked what the winning clubs did the past few years. Play the fringe players and at 60 mins reassess and bring in the starters to lock down a win. That said, I love what he is doing with the Club overall.
I’m not a GGG fanboy…but I have been generally pleased his decisions. I am a big fan of Sergio’s…love the growth we are seeing as he physically matures! I think the piece you are leaving out is the first team is the team entered in the 2025 LHUOC…in 2024 it was CFII. As well as this club is in need of something positive…to your point, if we don’t go deep it’s a big loss. So yea, I agree with starting first team depth players over Academy/CFII players. As I mentioned in response to Bunge saying he’d like to see D’avilla start…I’d play the starters until up 2-0, not put them in when down 0-2.
No I mentioned that Fire 2 was entered last year and the year before the First Team started a young Sergio in the LHUOC. I'm looking through the same lens.
It's like these tariffs. There's a lag affect in seeing the damage. But I get the City and fan base are desperate for any sort of Championship run. I guess I kinda agree with the decision also, but we cannot also be upset if we look heavy versus Atlanta in 3 days! I'm just noting the desperation, albeit, perhaps justified.
Some starters will not play, I suspect the ones that do will play 45min, and all 3 games are without travel….not worried about heavy legs against ATL
Chatter on the net about KDB. One report says Napoli and Liverpool have interest in him. Other reports say his reps will meet with Fire shortly to discuss transfer. Which rumor is true-or both?
Just gotta hope the Fire can provide a better ‘project pitch’, because cash will be equal and ego would lean towards playing in a higher league….tie breaker is ‘family life style’ preference.
Not sure if “family life style” favors Chicago or not. May wish to stay closer to home. Looking for new adventure, US lifestyle/travel/citizenship, less pressure, great owner, new stadium/ facilities- other possible reasons.
De Bruyne's reluctance to uproot his family and prioritising his football and home life when making a decision on his next destination has alerted several Premier League clubs.
Salah’s offensive performance has been spectacular this season. Just read an article stating it was “agreed” he would focus on offense and not worry too much about defense this year. Given his age, probably a good call. Made me think about KDB and the Fire.
I’ve been very optimistic about the KDB deal, now that 2 ‘better league’ teams (one being in England is a big deal) are making offers…I’m less optimistic Hey! Maybe that means we are actually going after Mueller?! Will be interesting to see if he retires or plays a bit more…
MLS roster profiles are out. Chris Mueller is on the 6-week injured list as the Fire hope he’ll be back soon.Just over $200,000 GAM in the Fire’s coffers — they’d get an extra $1m in the summer if they don’t sign a DP, but the plan remains to add a big name.#cf97 #vamosfire pic.twitter.com/jA0GvgH5aQ— Alex Calabrese (@amcalabrese12) May 8, 2025
According to Sportico, MLS has 19 of 50 most valuable soccer clubs in the world. Sadly, Chicago Fire is not one of them. I will be totally surprised if Joe does not have them in this list 5 years from now.
With the Fire Pitch on the North side, the new training facility now finished, and two solid locations for a stadium ready to go I find this to be a bit off.
Not surprised to see a questionable figure- it is one of those subjective soccer stats. I doubt Joe would sell for their figure.
Chicago Fire own both Kevin De Bruyne's discovery rights AND Pope Leo XIV's homegrown rights. Big secondary window for the Fire.#cf97— Paul Tenorio (@PaulTenorio) May 8, 2025
“Extreme hardship” 🔥🚨 Bryan Dowd's loan at FC Tulsa has been terminated. He'll be the Chicago Fire's backup goalkeeper this Saturday after Chris Brady's red card.Fire were granted an extreme hardship exemption by the league to recall him.Full story:https://t.co/e7mtguz0wp#cf97 #vamosfire— Alex Calabrese (@amcalabrese12) May 9, 2025
Too bad that term only applies to a shortage of available players. Otherwise Fire could have used that provision many, many times over the last decade.
Guessing Alex C means 6 match injury list, rather than 60 day. First time I have seen it noted on the roster report so it must be different from 1 or 2 match absences. This designation opens a senior roster spot for Fire per MLS Roster Rules, at least temporarily, but no salary budget relief. Player Availability Report does not appear to differentiate. But… MLS Rules?? Real question is this- Does this indicate Fire is opening up roster spots for new players expected shortly?
KDB exploring his options…hard to know what our odds are of signing him, but with him ‘in talks’ with 2 ‘bigger leagues’ makes me think it’s less than a 50% chance now. But there is still a chance!
The bigger leagues? Napoli is one team that is out there. The Fire offer is for more money, but he'll still get a nice bag from Napoli ($8 million)..