Doyle posted his annual preseason review of all MLS teams and he shares ASA’s concern about Lod/ Franco backfilling Guti… My Worry: I don't think they'll be as good in attack. Brian Gutiérrez was really freaking good, man, and he's now in Guadalajara, while André Franco likely won't be healthy until mid-season, and Philip Zinckernagel's not going to overperform to that degree again. Robin Lod's in town, but Lod's a ball-mover and box-arriver, not a chance creator. No true playmaker in midfield + likely regression in goal output from the wings isn't a "we're ready to jump into the title race" type of trendline.
Roster ComplianceDeadline is7:00 pm this evening. Wonder how soon after then gthe results and a helpful explanation will be available.
Assumed that. Any thing else would be a major surprise. How did it happen? Are there any transfers/loans not previously disclosed? Any new green cards? What is remaining GAM?
No idea about GAM. Glasgow's loan was the final piece. Franco is not currently using an International slot. I think we were all worried because of the opaque league rules...
Thank you. MLS rules make most people nervous. Franco will almost certainly need an international slot by mid-season. In effect, the problem has temporarily solved- but fine! Things can change a lot in 5 months. I am still very interested in remaining GAM and how they achieved roster compliance.
Someone HIGH on Davilla! Hope he is right! High praise for the Fire and their #6 from @joeclowery How big of a breakout do you expect from Dje in 2026?Checkout the full episode below if you haven’t!!#cf97 #vamosfire https://t.co/FHNxyT1uEU pic.twitter.com/RRl8SPZpCq— MIR97 Media (@meninred97) February 20, 2026
TLB! "He has come into the best team in the league and made them stronger" 👀@PaulTenorio names the standout MLS signings 💰 pic.twitter.com/9sWj2RP0yJ— Golazo America (@GolazoAmerica) February 20, 2026
Chicago Fire availability report vs Houston Dynamo.. Hugo Cuypers isn’t listed #cf97 #VamosFire pic.twitter.com/NmeJM1dXBw— Joe Chatz (@JoeChatz) February 20, 2026
Jeez...seems like it's Barroso and who playing outside backs? No Gutman, No Radojevic, no Dean. Do we think Puso might slide back a row since Glasgow is gone on loan? Maybe MHS starts at wing back?
Presuming Hugo traveled… …………………....Hugo…… ……Mueller…..Zinck…..Lod ………...Saletros…..Davilla….. MHS…..Mbokazi…Waterman…Barroso ……………………..Brady Or ….Mueller…....Hugo…….Zinck ………..Saletros…………...Lod ………………………Davilla …MHS….Mbokazi…Waterman…Barroso ……………………..Brady Think I prefer the 4-3-3, but we have been seeing Zinck at the CAM for most of the preseason games
I don’t see a huge difference in those lineups so I’m just looking forward to a good game. IS PLAYIN!!!
Conceptually...vertical spine vs layer cake, but I was thinking how I'd organize the 'best available XI'
Man, with Elliot questionable do you go with Sam Rogers and do 3 in the back? ….…................Hugo……. …………......Lod......Zinck................ MHS…Saletros…Davilla...Barroso …….Mbokazi…Waterman…Rogers ……………………..Brady
Thought about that...kinda comes down to 'do you prefer Rogers on the pitch...or Mueller?' FWIW, with the group you got there...I could also see... ….…......................Hugo .............MHS….....Zinck........Lod ................…Saletros…Davilla Mbokazi…Waterman…Rogers....Barroso …………….....………..Brady Been pondering the chatter about Mboakzi being 'only' 5'10" and it being a question for his path to a 'top 5 league' CB....he may just may have a better path to being a world class player at LB! What a time to give it a quick trial...physicality, intsincts, speed, vision, and a canon shot. If he has the agility for it, it would be fun to watch.
He played LB (arguably wing) against Cameroon the last 25 minutes of that AFCON game. He whipped in some good crosses.
Given the number of players Out or Questionable and the other factors about this match. I would like to see the following starting lineup (3-4-3) ( left to right) Brady, Mbokazi, Waterman, Rogers, MHS, D’Avilla, Saletros, Barroso, Mueller, Zinck, Lod (If Cuypers is really fully recovered, use him as sub.)
if I’m reading it correctly, you’d like to see Zinck at Striker? ….…................Zinck …….....Mueller..….....Lod MHS…Saletros…Davilla...Barroso …….Mbokazi…Waterman…Rogers ……………………..Brady OR as a false 9? ………...Mueller..…....Lod ….…................Zinck MHS…Saletros…Davilla...Barroso …….Mbokazi…Waterman…Rogers ……………………..Brady Dint hate it, just think Id rather have lo someone besides Rogers on the pitch…which is why I keep coming back to a 2CB formation. I do like the idea of Hugo as a super sub…so maybe ….Mueller…....Shokalook…….Zinck ………..Saletros…………...Lod ………………………Davilla …MHS….Mbokazi…Waterman…Barroso ……………………..Brady
This whole starting the seasoin short, seems to be an ongoing issue with this training staff.. Are they going to hard..
This matches injury situation and team defense during the last preseason match gave me flashback nightmares. Hopefully just a temporary thing.
All-star article by Alex C at MIR97 about the 2026 Fire roster compliance process!! Lots of new pertinent information. Plan to spend some time reading and rereading it after today’s match. Old Coach- should be helpful in answering many of our Salary Budget Spreadsheet questions. The Remaining Available GAM figure is still a missing piece. However, one possible solution MAY be that, despite an “ overrun” on International slots expense, some of the estimated player acquisition fees and salaries were less than our estimates. ( GGG and crew do seem to be good negotiators.) Great Posting guys!