Almost all of the chaff has been separated from the wheat. Too bad we do not have a couple more expendable internationals we could excise to become compliant.
In my experience 'Expendable' is relative...hence my pattern of discussing 'weakest link' and/or 'liability'. But I think we are talking about the same thing, just through different lenses That said, I do think our INTL tag 'problem' is going to be a challenge that forces more moves than we may expect...and again when we add a DP in July.
When I say "expendable," I am thinking of players like Omari Glasgow. Good, not very good. "End of the bench" player, but who takes up an International slot. The "cost" of that player far exceeds the value to the team, unfortunately. If he obtains a green card, fine, we can keep him as an "end of the bench" player. If not, he should be gone. Regardless of these little bumps in the road, this team is shaping up very nicely! Optimism!
Omari is an interesting case... On one hand he is likely to grow in market value and doesn't hit the salary budget charge. On the other hand he does require an INTL tag and Puso is incoming competition for minutes, so he may not seem first team minutes. Predicting a loan for the last year of his contract (2026) and then they make a call on his option (2027 & 2028).
We bought one more INTL tag We have acquired a 2026 International Roster Slot from the San Jose Earthquakes. In exchange, we traded $350,000 in 2026 General Allocation Money (GAM). #cf97 pic.twitter.com/tpDRwH95TI— Chicago Fire FC (@ChicagoFire) February 4, 2026
And at a bargain price compared to yesterday. Frankly, we should have received a bulk discount from Colorado!
Catch22, the MLS top teams continue to raise their level...and the first teams' abilty to spend more and more is increasing the quality gap between MLS & NEXTPro. That said, Cupps, Poreba and Shokalook all appear to be at the level to cross the gap...we shall see.
Puso Dithejane arrives in Chicago and is able to join team activities. He will wear number 1️⃣2️⃣ with the Fire.Mbekezeli Mbokazi is still awaiting work permit approval.#cf97 #vamosfirepic.twitter.com/bd1tR5QNKC— Alex Calabrese (@amcalabrese12) February 4, 2026
The CFFCA produces many keepers, center mids, and wingers. They have been weak producing defenders and strikers. Some top prospects in the pipeline, leaving out players with first team appearances (Fire II only *): '04 CM - Trip Fleming '05 W - Damian Nigg* '06 W - Dylan Borso CF - Dean Boltz '07 AM - Jhoiner Monteil* '08 W - Vitaly Hluyt RB - Kruz Held CB - Josue Pfrommer CM/DM - Oscar Pineda G - Owen Pratt CM - Chase Nagle W - Deijan Garcia '09 W - Darris Hyte G - David Molenda CB - Hugo Berg CM - Roko Pehar W - Milan Napoe '10 AM - Robert Turdean G - Jason Nemo CM - Brody Williams RB - Finn McCraney CM - Christopher Morales '11 G - Alex Bayraktarov
This is why I think that the USL will continue to grow in importance. There is a lot of talent out there and some of it just needs some seasoning. NEXTPro is fine and all, but USL is a proving ground. Orange County just sold its eighth player to Europe, so development is happening at that level.
YES! The moment you’ve been waiting for 🙌 #cf97 pic.twitter.com/bNaaAq9bQw— Chicago Fire FC (@ChicagoFire) February 6, 2026
Sorry, Chicago Fire social media The moment "you've been waiting for" is the arrival of Robert Lewandowski, not a young South African player that none of us had ever heard of three weeks ago. That said, I concur with your "Yes" comment. If we sign players we should have them in the fold and ready to go!
I'm happy to see the visa process did not become 'an issue' and I'm anxious to see his play! Feels like we have gone from 1-1/2 starting CBs (Elliott + Teran when healthy) to 3-1/2 (Elliott, Waterman, Mbokazi & Cupps)! I'm also curious if it will be a Mbokazi vs Waterman battle for minutes or GGG goes with 3CBs...and/or if Mbokazi gets some minutes at LB
Uh Oh Barcelona are considering offering 37-year-old Poland striker Robert Lewandowski, whose deal with them runs out in the summer, a contract extension for another season but on reduced wages. (ESPN) https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cnvg461ydg1o Barcelona consider Lewandowski renewal at lower rate - sources https://www.espn.co.uk/football/sto...robert-lewandowski-renewal-lower-rate-sources
That just might be our biggest competition...his family is 'settled' in the area, his wife has a business there that she is very active in, and they have 2 homes in Mallorca....and...the weather is a little nicer there The other competition is probably LAFC, as there has been chatter over the years of the Lewys being interested in LA. That said, our project, the city of Chicago, the Polish community here, the schools and different experience for their children...and Papa Joe has a big bag for him to maximize his income before he retires from the pitch. And....we have MLS discovery rights...so, we appear to have a decebnt shot at landing him and his family.
No, I think you are wrong. Given his salary level and subsequent lifestyle, he should be minimally impacted by the Democrats.
Sure, but he is not be a US citizen or even a green card holder. He and his family could be ICEd at any time.
Elite journalism there. Next up: “Barcelona considering winning games.” “Club considering scoring goals.” “Board considering considering things.” “Considering offering” is the most non-update update possible. That literally covers every outcome: Offer him a deal Don’t offer him a deal Think about offering a deal Think about thinking about it