News/Rumor: 2026 Fire II, U-19, Academy, etc.

Discussion in 'Chicago Fire' started by willydonc, Jan 17, 2026.

  1. Placeholder until there is anything new unless anyone wants to comment.
     
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  2. Bit of a roster review of players under contract (per TM) to Fire II; less first team runouts, academy callups & potential signings (discussed later).

    G- Pratt, Nemo
    D- Omar G.
    MF- Fleming, B. Williams
    AM- Monteil
    FW- Hlyut, Nigg
    That's all folks.

    First teamers we can expect to get a lot of MLSNP time.

    D- Cupps
    MF- S. Williams
    AM- Turdean
    FW - Boltz, Borso

    Draft pick CB- Sandmeyer

    Once again, no one with experience at fullback. David Molenda should again be in the mix between the posts. Chase Nagle logged 2400 MLSNP minutes last season and at least a Fire II deal should be on the table for him. Another possible Fire II signing is USYNT CB Hugo Berg, who is in the 1st team camp. CM Oscar "Raffi" Pineda can't get on the field for Fire II but started every game for the Mexico U-17s at the recent World Cup (431'). FB Kruz Held is another USYNT callup who should get Fire II playing time if not a contract. CB- Josue Pfrommer put in a shift at training camp a year ago and will likely see action.
     
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  3. schroncar

    schroncar Member+

    Chicago Fire
    Mar 2, 2007
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    It is so helpful when you update all of us about news in this sector of the “Fire Empire”.You are often the sole source.
    Is Omar G shown Omari Glasgow? Thanks again!
     
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  4. Good catch, but no. Gonzalez, center back/assistant coach. I doubt he plays a lot.

    MIR97 & Chatz should provide coverage closer to the start of the season.
     
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  5. overlap_old_coach

    Chicago Fire
    United States
    May 2, 2022
    Hmm, first two home games are Sundays at 3pm...if the weather doesn't suck I'll prolly try to catch those.:thumbsup:
     
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  6. I don't make as many games as I used to, but I'll probably see you at one of those games.
     
  7. overlap_old_coach

    Chicago Fire
    United States
    May 2, 2022
    IF 40deg or above, ping me.
     
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  8. Fire II kickoff their season tomorrow evening at Inter Miami II. They ended their preseason on the wrong end of a 4-0 thrashing against Forward Madison. Here is as much of an official Fire II roster as I can find at https://www.chicagofirefc.com/two/roster/ .

    G - Pratt, Nemo, Molenda
    D - Berg, Omar G., Pfrommer, Sandmeyer
    CM/DM - Clark, Fleming, Hauser, Herrera, Nagle, Pineda, Villanueva, Williams
    AM/Wing - Hluyt, Hyte, Montiel, Nigg, Turdean

    Expect first teamers Boltz (FW) and Borso (Wing) to be regulars here too.

    Mateo Clark was signed in the last week. He spent time in the Whitecaps academy and is the son of ex-USMNT & MLS star Ricardo Clark.

    No fullbacks & no other strikers, though USYNT FB Kruz Held should get plenty of time as well as USYNT midfielder Roko Pehar.
     
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  9. schroncar

    schroncar Member+

    Chicago Fire
    Mar 2, 2007
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Except for noted shortcomings, looks like a squad with potential.
    Your information on Fire II and academy always appreciated.
     
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  10. goldclover

    goldclover Member+

    Mar 25, 2010
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Yes I appreciate your reporting on Fire 2!
     
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  11. Thanks all. After having the last 2 MLSNP golden boot winners, I don't know where Fire II are going to get goals. Then again, at the start of the season/ nobody saw Poreba & Shokalook scoring the way they did, so maybe Dean Boltz breaks out. If only, . . .
     
  12. First Fire II lineup of the season. Lots of first half whatevering with only 1 Miami shot on goal between the teams. Miami with 70% possession.

    [​IMG]
     
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  13. goldclover

    goldclover Member+

    Mar 25, 2010
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    What has been your opinion of Fleming last season and tonight?
     
  14. He's a solid box to box center mid. He's older than most of the guys on the team. He should have the homegrown spot that Williams took.
     
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  15. overlap_old_coach

    Chicago Fire
    United States
    May 2, 2022
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  16. #17 willydonc, Feb 27, 2026
    Last edited: Feb 27, 2026
    The second half was much livelier and more even. Each team with a goal and we're going to penalties for the extra point.

    Fire - Fleming X, Boltz O, Pineda O, Sandmeyer O, Hlyut O, Napoe O, Berg X, Herrera O
    Miami - OOOXOOXX

    Pratt with a save at the end to take the extra point. He was getting spicy with the opposition & earned a booking late in the shootout.

    https://www.mlsnextpro.com/competitions/mls-next-pro/2026/matches/miavschi-02-27-2026/
     
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  17. Looks like Fire II signed a French/Malian guy who plays striker.

    upload_2026-3-4_17-24-10.png
     
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  18. Kruz Held has joined the Charleston Battery.

    The big one here is Kruz Held. One of the top fullbacks in the ‘08 year. Chicago Fire burned the bridge by not giving him second team minutes last season. Their efforts early this season to correct became too late.
     
  19. Fire II lose at Orlando 2-1 Orlando goals on a pretty counterattack and a golazo. Fire goal scored by Sandmeier from a goal mouth scramble 2 yards out. Pratt had a good game in goal and Boltz was dangerous as a sub. Fire debut by Diawara off the bench. Poreba huffed and puffed up top but didn't get a lot of help mostly due to Turdean's second straight game as a non-factor. Home opener next Sunday at 3:00 against Chattanooga.
     
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  20. overlap_old_coach

    Chicago Fire
    United States
    May 2, 2022
    Shokalook and Poreba score, win 2-1
    Couple other notable first team players in the XI
     
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  21. xtomx

    xtomx Moderator
    Staff Member

    Chicago Fire
    Sep 6, 2001
    Northern Wisconsin, but not far from civilization
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Hmm? Scoring TWO goals in a match, while only giving up a single goal?

    The Fire first team should consider such a strategy.
     
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  22. Scoreless draw against Eddie Pope's Carolina Core, but Fire II aces the shootout to earn the extra point in a fair result. Fire II stand 7th for now and will return to play after the international break.

    Pratt
    Borso, Cupps, Sandmeyer, Nagle
    Hluyt (Pineda 63'), Fleming, Turdean (Boltz 72'), Dithejane (Villanueva 85')
    Poreba, Nigg
     

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