I've set this up as a separate thread due in large part to my disgust and shame in a number of so-called Fire fans who are calling for Peter Wilt's head because of the impending departure of Bob Bradley. This is the same Peter Wilt that many of you have called the best GM in the league. The same GM who has enough sense to let his coaches run the team, the same GM who posts to the boards to answer our questions, stops by our section to have a few pints and has shown up for numerous watch parties and chilled with us. Is this how you treat a friend? I hope like hell that doesn't leave and especially now. We need someone calling the shots that knows the market and he knows it better than anyone else in the league. I know (not a thought) Peter hates the idea of Bob leaving but Bob wants to go he should be allowed to do so with little resistance from his boss and he should be sent off with nothing but blessings. Those of you screaming for Wilt's head are a joke. Remember this a few months from now when you run to PW screaming, Hi Peter how are you, blah, blah ~~~~ in a cheerleader tone. I'm still w/ ya PW and this will only make you an even better GM. Time to roll up the sleeves
Hey Fonso. I agree with you on this one. Listen, I have been hard on Peter before. I am sure he has wanted to revoke my season tickets at times . But hey!, I was wrong some of the times. Some of the times I was right. Either way I cannot hate a GM you can sit down with at a bar and have a drinking contest. LOL . Not that I have personally done it, but I know you can. On a serious note. I feel Peter is truly one of us. A guy who loves soccer and is a GM. I remember him from the days back with the Power in the now MISL to the present. The guy is cool. He takes the time to say hello. I have never had a problem with him in this matter. I have had disagreements with others but he is human and so am I. We all make mistakes. I am a defender of Peter Wilt when it comes to the way he runs the team and lets the coaches do the decision making. I also defend him when it comes to people relations. What else should I care about? You guys need to lay off and realize how good we have had it. Don't forget HE WAS the one who brought in Bob Bradley and allowed for us to have a team this good for this long. So backoff!!
Well, just look at the current state of affairs. We're playing in Naperville on artificial turf where alcohol, tailgaiting and profanity are prohibited. We had our first losing season. We were ousted in the first round of playoffs. Players such as Billy Walsh, Billy Sleeth and David Vaudeul are house hold names. Oh, and we just lost the best coach in MLS. Now you tell me if the Fire franchise is not running itself into the ground.
If not for Peter Wilt's hard work in getting Naperville approval the Fire may not have played at all this season. You can't blame Peter Wilt for the injuries, or if Bob wants to move back to his home state.
Wilt rules Here, here. Peter Wilt is the best thing that ever happened to Chicago soccer. I hope he never leaves. Bob Bradley was the second best thing to ever happen to Chicago soccer. Bob will be hard to replace, but we will survive. He wants to return to his family and friends. Good for him. I wish him well. He gave us 5 great seasons. Thats an eternity in MLS. Maximum Respect, Don Crafts Supporter for Life. Faster, harder & louder. Since 1965.
I am sick and tired of this crap. Let's take them one at a time shall we: 1) We got screwed at every turn on stadium issues with PW busting his ass to get us A place to play. While its not ideal, it was pretty amazing to see a 15,000 seat stadium appear in a couple of months in one of the most NIMBY threatening neighborhoods in the area; 2) turf - no one is happy, including PW, but do you have a better solution. In addition, rumor has it that there may be improvements in the size of the pitch for next season. Whether it happens or not, what team or front office would make that type of effort for one more temporary season? 3) alchohol - I like having a beer at the game, but come on. It's two years, and there are a dozen bars within puking distance of the stadium. 4) "We had our first losing season" Pretty amazing for an expansion team isn't it. Particularly when we had half of our roster obliterated by injury. 5) "ousted in the first round" See above. In addition, we were ousted by the eventual finalist. 6) Billy Sleeth is a rookie who was thrown in by neccessity to early. Vaudreil was RETIRED and agreed to play for us for the minimum. He also was the only one who came over to Section 8 to applaud us and sign autographs after a frustrating tie with DC. He faded throughout the year, but are you suprised by that? He gave us his best effort which is all we can ask for. Walsh -- see play for the minimum argument. 7) Bob wants to go. Sounds kind of like you do too. In fact, this is a great time for every one who jumped on the bandwagon in 98 to jump off if you don't have the stomach for a little adversity.
Wilt for President! I want Wilt's head on a platter! No, not really. Who in their right mind would call for Wilt's firing? In the Bradley thread I mentioned that I would like to have words with the guy, as in "Don't let this happen." He isn't to blame in this situation. If Bradley had made his mind up that he wanted to leave, and the league decides they have no objections to that, then there is little for Wilt to do about it. He has done a great job here, and is easily one of (if not) the best GMs in the league (I feel bad for Bradley having to deal with Nick Sack. in NJ now). Wilt will continue to do well for the Fire. I have trust in the man that he will choose the best coach for the job, and help that coach make moves that hopefully will keep the Fire competitive this next season.
Re: Wilt for President! What in the hell are you talking about? If you've said no such thing then why are you posting here about the Bradley thread? That's a different. If you've said such a thing then my original statement was addressed you and others if not then don't post a half assed whiney it wasn't me response. I don't give a Rat's Ass. Want attention, go elsewhere.
I say if Wilt would've bugged AEG enough they could've got a stadium through. When you have a lot of money, people will listen. Why is LA, NY and Colorado getting deals and we're not? Maybe the GM.... I thought people went there to watch soccer?[/QUOTE] Yeah, and sit on your hands like nice N'villers. It had to happen eventually. [/QUOTE] No it didn't. Who says we have to lose? Just look at other clubs such as Bayern Munich and Man Utd. Walsh and Vaud are likely gone if it makes you happy. [/QUOTE] Why were they there in the first place? We used to get quality players like T-Bone, Bocanegra, and Wynalda. More like being the sacrifical lamb of AEG in order to get the LA Stadium/NT complex flying and a successful franchise in New York. MLS has stacked LA/NY player wise from the beginning of this league and what has it produced? 1 MLS Cup, 1 CONCACAF Cup and 1 US Open Cup. You can blame PW and local politics for alot of things with regard to the collapse of the Arlington Stadium and subsequent season in Naperville, but you also have to blame AEG for not putting all the resources behind it like they did for LA's stadium project, the strongarming/holdout for a better deal for the cRapids at Invesco and what they will most likely do for a MetroStadium. You wont see the legal and financial resources that were put behind LA's stadium until the Metro are a semi successful market with stadium. [/QUOTE] Look, I used to love Wilt. He brought in quality players, set-up good International friendlys and stood by the hardcore fans. This year, I saw a complete 180 degree turn. All I saw were weak players, no Int friendlys (until Nov), and the selling out of Sect 8 to appease the N'ville soccer moms. Now you tell me what he has done lately to improve the Fire.
Why were they there in the first place? We used to get quality players like T-Bone, Bocanegra, and Wynalda. Something called a salary cap. You can blame PW and local politics for alot of things with regard to the collapse of the Arlington Stadium and subsequent season in Naperville, but you also have to blame AEG for not putting all the resources behind it like they did for LA's stadium project, the strongarming/holdout for a better deal for the cRapids at Invesco and what they will most likely do for a MetroStadium. This I agree with except the blaming of peter, it was daley and AEG.
Did you follow the stadium situation? Bayern Munich and Man United? Good Lord, you are a moron. We actually had a season in 2002. That was not a given, and we can all thank Peter Wilt that we didn't see our players divvied out in a dispersal draft.
Put down the crack pipe and slowly back away. You're high. The blame for the stadium situation lies in the mayor's office, not with Peter Wilt. Daley will NEVER approve a Firehouse within city limits because: 1) He wants to have the Fire in Soldier Field to help pay for the cost of turning it into an ugly shambles. 2) Any land the Fire would want is FAR too valuable as potential yuppie condos for the real estate barons who pull Daley's strings. As opposed to al of us driving up to Milwaukee to see Rampage games because the Fire went on a two year "hiatus" or got folded because we had NOWHERE ELSE TO PLAY thanks to Daley. Those clubs will lose eventually. European football history is littered with the bleached bones of formerly dominant clubs. If you want a better comparison, look at DCU. They won three Cups but do you want to trade places with them now? Also, now that LA has their MLS Cup, look for the league to start screwing with them too. Because: a) We used up lots of chits to GET guys like Carlos and DMB. Also, the Fire have this kid named Kelly Grey. You should see him play some time. Not bad for a rookie. b) The league didn't want a Fire dynasty ala DCU and decided to selectively impose it "salary cap" and deny us equivalent replacement players starting with Kosecki and Podbrozny, the exception being Hristo who we folishly as it turned out signed to a long term guaranteed contract. c) We had so many injuries that even our relpacement players were getting hurt. There are only so many decent players left without teams in midseason. Also, thank God we didn't sign Wynalda or we'd have been in even greater injury trouble as it turns out. He kept us from being contracted. Also, in case you hadn't noticed, the Fire suffered by far the greatest number of player minutes lost due to call-ups and injuries in MLS history and STILL managed to make the play-offs AND take the eventual runner-up to three games. You think DCU or Mutts fans (especially Mutts fans) would love to have even made the play-offs despite not having our excuses for not going to the Cup final? Any other team ni MLs would have been out of play-off contention by mid-August if they'd been what we went through. What the Fire achieved despite the problems is fu]/u]cking impressive in my book.
Yes, I did and Wilt hedged all his bets playing in Arl. Heights. Bayern Munich and Man United? Good Lord, you are a moron.[/QUOTE] I could've well said the Galaxy who consistantly challenge for the title eventhough they lose quality players but you guys are so blinded by your hate my point would've been lost. Especially coming from a Man U fan such as yourself. We actually had a season in 2002. That was not a given, and we can all thank Peter Wilt that we didn't see our players divvied out in a dispersal draft. [/QUOTE] Actually, it was a given. I didn't hear anything about the Fire disbanding last year, did you? We could've played in Milwaukee if N'ville would've fell through. Teams don't just disband because they don't have their own stadium to play in.
As if Arlington Hts. would've been any less "suburban " than Naperville. Besides, they and Naperiville were the only ones willign to talk seriously until Daley scotched the Arl. Hts. deal. Dude, you're still high. Give the crack pipe a rest. The Gals got a steady stream of high profile Mexican goal scorers while we got one Bulgarian. They were also undeniably smart with their other player picks. And before you can howl "MATHIS!", when LA was forced to give up Mathis to get El Bitchador, Clint was SITTING ON LA'S BENCH not even playing. You throw out the idea of moving to Milwaukee while you criticize the Naperville situation.
Re: Re: Wilt for President! Jesus, man. Relax. I was just throwing my 2 cents in. It had nothing to do with your accusations. I admitted that I took a shot at Wilt, but that overall the man has done a spectacular job and cannot see why anyone would want to be rid of him. I wasn't whining, and I could care less about any attention. Hell, I was agreeing with you. Take a deep breath, and realize it isn't about you.
With the Arl Hts deal, we would've had more control and more revenues than kowtowing to N'ville crowd. Plus, there's no neighborhood there to deal with. The Gals got a steady stream of high profile Mexican goal scorers while we got one Bulgarian. They were also undeniably smart with their other player picks. [/QUOTE] You just proved my point. They were smart, we were not. So, you are saying our GM (and coach if you believe Bradley pulls the strings) weren't so smart. You throw out the idea of moving to Milwaukee while you criticize the Naperville situation. [/QUOTE] At least in Milwaukee, they wouldn't have the morality police after us. And they hosted 1860 Munich this year. Who'd we host?
Gee, with fans like you, I can't see why anyone would want to leave. Now, I would invite you to go back and look at our draft picks, and look at players who we have picked up through trades and who have been solid to great here, after being unwanted elsewhere. Wilt/Bradley have probably done the best job in the league identifying good, cheap talent.
It still would have been more like Naperville than like Soldier Field. Daley was able to scotch the Arl. Hts. deal where he couldn't touch Naperville so it's a moot point anyway. No I didn't. Unlike the Fire, LA got help from the league for years and they still didn't win a title until now. If LA had had the Fire's level of call-ups and freak injuries this year, the Revs would have been playing the Rapids in the Final, because LA would have been out of play-off contention in August. Given the hands they were dealt, both the Fire and LA did very well. We just got dealt a worse hand. That's life. We'll see how well the Gals do now that the league will doubtless be screwing them over to build someone else up now that they've won the Cup. At least in Naperville, we have more than 2,000 fans show up for a game. Look, I don't particularly like Naperville but it was the Fire's only realistic option. The Bears can go downstate and still get fans. Soccer isn't in that position yet. No MLS team could survive moving hundreds of miles away from its fan base. Look what happened to the "Miami" Fusion... And 1860 only brought their B/C team and still kicked the Rampage's ass. As much as I like the 'Page, I know that they hosted 1860 only because Milwaukee has a huge German population. The Fire have hosted the EPL's Derby County, Mexico's Chivas, Toluca, and Morelia and the Bundesliga's Hamburg. We had a double header with the Ireland v. Mexico match and with the USWNT. How many international friendlies have the Rampage hosted over the past five ears?
PWilt is a fine GM Peter Wilt is a fine GM. He should not go anywhere. I have no beef with him. I am just pissed at MLS and AEG.
When i said this #1 i was incredibly pissed off and #2 it is dripping in internet sarcasm and cynicism Im sorry if anyone missed the whole point. I dont think for one second that Peter Wilt should leave. But having Bob leave is in my mind like having PW leave. It would be like changing our colors to teal and pink. It's absurd. It would be loosing an integrally important part of the fire. I dont have any doubts about Peter Wilt's dedication to the Fire. But then again i never thought Bob would just up and leave like this either. It F's with your mind.
The top team in Guatemala. One of the top teams in Mexico. The LA Galaxy, who (gulp, this makes me nauseous to say, can't be that far behind 1860, if not ahead) And we're about to host another team from Mexico. In the Fire's history, they've hosted a myriad of Mexican teams, plus an English Premier League team (Derby) and a Bundesliga team (Hamburger SV). So, your point is pointless. I am pro-Peter. Remember this...of all the injuries, which I still insist was the factor that hurt us the most this year, only one can be DIRECTLY attributed to the Naperville turf...Wolff. We had more injuries on DC's pitch (Whitfield and Armas) than others. If it wasn't for DC's evil pitch, Vaud and Walsh would have never been in the lineup. I don't think Wynalda would have been an advisable replacement for Whitfield or Armas.