Pan Pacific Tourney Kicks Off Tomorrow

The Pan Pacific Tournament, which features the LA Galaxy vs. Asia (the continent) starts Wednesday, February 18, at 7:30 CST. Two games will be played the first night (the second game starts at 10:00) and two games will be played Saturday (same times).

I'm actually interested to see the Galaxy without Donovan and Beckham. What will Lewis do? Who will they put in goal? Will there be anything remotely resembling a defense on the field?

All games will be televised on Fox Soccer Channel.

The Prodigal Son Returns...

At the border they don't take American Express...but that's ok, cuz Conde's got a Visa!

Our beloved unfrozen caveman fullback has cleared customs and immigration and it back for another season of "Conde CRUSH Little Man" and "Conde SMASH Bouncy Ball" and "Conde no like man with tweety whistle"

Let's hope this is a smooth year for Conde. On the bright side, he's only missed half of the pre-season. His agent is a known factor. And, since he gave his phone away (see earlier posts), JCO can't call him and sow dissent ("Tricksy Words Make Conde Brain Hurt").

All I know is - It's a good season for me when Conde is in the back!! GO FIRE!!

Conde Watch

The Word from Diego....Conde is resolving Visa issues and will be reporting to camp as soon as those matters are...um...resolved.

A negotiating tactic? I have no idea. You would, however, think that by now US immigration would realize he's a soccer player (and not the Progressive Insurance spokesman) and wave him through.

Regardless, the Fire dropped a pre-season game today to the Wizards, 3-2. Nyarko scored 2 (John will be happy), but then gave up three (one on PK). Busch, Rolfe, and Thorrington are in USMNT camp, so Nobel had the GK duties. Defense was same as last year, except no Conde and no Diego.

Hurry Conde! Baky misses you!

The Fans Formerly Known as...

It's official. We are no longer Fans from Section 108 at Toyota Park. Our relocated seats are now in Section 107.

As such, our supporter group needs a new name.

Ok all you suppressed marketing types, lets have your best ideas. And not just a name; this time I want a NAME and A LOGO IDEA. Because this time, we are going to have our own Supporter Group Flag to fly at the tailgates!

Start posting your suggestions to the comments! Time is short cuz I sew slow!

Oh, and don't duplicate any other supporter group names/logos...we're not ready to rumble!

Conde Watch

Update on Senor Conde:

You may have heard that Diego Gutierrez has become a sports talent agent. But you probably didn't hear that the ever mercurial Wilman Conde has signed with Diego.

I'm guessing this is good news; since Diego doesn't get paid unless Wilman is playing, I'm hoping he won't be counseling him to sit out the season in the Colombian jungle!

Jealous Much?

The following post has no purpose other than to flash a picture of the Red Bull Stadium currently under construction.

I kind of like the transparent roof thingy (seeing as we got drenched twice this year).

On the other hand. Leave it to New Yorkers to hide from the elements. Typical.

Regardless, the point is probably moot; the stadium is being built in New Jersey and, as you might expect, political interference has already delayed construction completion from summer 2006 (not a typo) until summer 2010, at the earliest (still not a typo).

I intend to write a letter tonight to the NJ EPA asking if they're certain Red Bull Stadium will not endanger the fragile New Jersey swamp skrewt. That'll get 'em two more years! Take that JCO!

Got Schedule?

The league is dropping hints that next week will be the week. The week when the rest of the regular season schedule is released, that is.

Guess we better pick our seats!!

Meet Richard Jata

Starting at about 3:55 into this clip from the "Lalas Show" (sorry for anyone who doesn't think there might be two too many Lalases in Major League Soccer) is a clip of an acceptance speech given by Richard Jata, the fourth round pick of the Fire.



He's listed as a Midfielder (he looks like a midfielder). Apparently, he sat in the audience the whole time until he was picked. That's like all day. Bodes well for his work ethic.

Anyway, I thought you might be interested to see a little preview of a new player.

If you really want to see a preview, here's a highlight reel, created by a family member of Richards and posted to YouTube.

North Meets South - Cross Border Competition Announced

The Fire and Club America have agreed to hold an annual home-and-home competition between the two clubs for a-yet-to-be-named cup. The games would be at Toyota Park (obviously) and Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. No rules yet on tie breakers, etc.

Bonus Game Anyone!

I think this is a fantastic idea! Certainly, for us it is. Will it be as popular in Mexico once Temo retires or leaves Chicago, um, probably not. But, who knows how long Temo will stay and who will replace him.

Now the only questions is, what will we name the Cup? We already compete for the Brimstone Cup with FC Dallas (made more sense when they were called the Dallas Burn). What's a good name for a cup between Club America and the Chicago Fire? (ps - Club America are "The Eagles" or "Las Aguilas")

Copa America
Copa del Norte
The Green Card Cup
Two Eagles Cup
Copa de las Aguilas
The New World Cup

Got any ideas? Post them in the comments section...

There goes another day!

Nobody likes Monday. Sunday's out because, well, the next day is Monday. Tuesday? No good - still recovering from Monday. Friday, Saturday - OK. That leaves Wednesday and Thursday. Until today, Thursday was my favorite because, of course, MLS Primetime Thursday in glorious HD was on (at least for 31 Thursdays per year).

But as of today, that appears to have changed. ESPN announced that they will no longer be doing the Thursday Night Prime Time thing. Not good enough ratings!

Nobody called me! I was watching every Thursday! Ask my wife!

Great. Now Thursday sucks.

Of course, this might mean fewer Thursday games on the home schedule, which is a plus.

Regardless, apparently ESPN will still continue to broadcast the same number of MLS games, they'll just do weekend games instead.

To bad. I liked the Thursday thing. Beats watching "The Biggest Looser Dances with Super Nanny's Mamma's Boy" (I can't keep track anymore).

Second Round Pick better than First

The Fire might have pulled a rabbit out of their hat with a crafty trade and second round pick Thursday at the Super Draft in St. Louis. Here a story from the Trib concerning the Fire's maneuver.

Baggio Husidic is a local player and a Generation Addidas player, like Sumare, so his contract will not count against the team's salary cap. And that is probably the best part of this deal.

Armas Moves On

Did you know Chris Armas was from New York? Why am I always the last to know?

Well, the original Fire fixture, Chris Armas is moving on after 10 years in the red and 1 on the bench as assistant coach. And how many years as captain?

Too bad for us. I liked to see Chris on the side with his headset getting signals from God.

So long Chris. Good Luck.

(And it goes without saying that here we have yet another New York connection - JC Moriarty at work again)

New Year Resolutions - For the Section 108 Fan

John sent an email today that reminded me we should be making resolutions for the upcoming Fan Year. Here's a start. Please join in and add to the list as you think of things...

The Fans of Section 108 Hear by Resolve...

1. To flash yellow and red cards any time the opposing team nicks Blanco, Rolfe, McBride, Mapp or Thorington;
2. To enjoy a Heineken mini keg at at least one game this season (and sing the UEFA Champions League Anthem);
3. To paint our faces, or otherwise dress embarrassingly, in manic support of our team (once or twice);
4. To come up with a Section One Oh! Eight Emblem and Banner which we will fly proudly at each and every game;
5. To invent ridiculous nicknames for each other;
6. To get better (much better) at washers;
7. To bring better mix tapes (or IPOD play lists) to the games;
8. To win Season Ticket Holders of the Game like 8 times.

Your turn.

Wilman Conde Bucking for a Discharge??? Again??

Yes, this is the second time I've used this head line.

Yes, he's at it again.

Apparently, Wilman has moved out of his apartment and sold or given away all of his possessions. This according to a "friend". His cell phone is disconnected. He's left the country.

Klopas says, predictably, "He's still under contract for the next 2 years. We fully expect him to be at camp and playing for the Fire come February. We have no current plans to trade or loan Wilman." (I'm paraphrasing, but you get the picture)

Word is Wilman wants to play in Europe or South America, not New York. Yet, I can't help feeling the tingle of web strands being pulled by that master of intrigue, Juan Carlos Moriarty.

Paranoid? We'll see...

Later Lider

Lider Marmol has left the building.

Remember Lider? We first encountered him as part of a devious conspiracy, hatched by Juan Carlos Osario (the Moriarty of the MLS), to thwart the Fire.

Well, after a less than satisfying season with the Fire, the club granted his request to be release from his contract to play for a team in his native Paraguay.

Don't be surprised, however, if he shows up on the Red Bull roster as Joe Smith, or something.

Juan Carlos is devious.....oh so devious.......

Draft Preview

Jason asked if there were any major talents waiting to be picked in the MLS Superdraft Thursday.

"Ummm, Idohno", said I.

But this guy knows...so here are some links to a blogger who thinks he knows.

Combine News

I would post speculation on who will be drafted in the first round, but the Fire don't have a pick until, like, number 24 or 27. Virtually the third round, so I think we'll be focusing on deals outside of the draft!!

2009 Season Kickoff Luncheon

The Fire have announced the date for the Kickoff Lunch Program they do every year. Players will appear (at least twenty of them (more on that later) and there is a silent auction for stuff (balls, sweated on jerseys, etc.).

This year the program will be Tuesday, March 24th, at 11:00am - ?? and will be held at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, 301 East North Water Street (East North??).

Tickets cost $65, or $60 if you buy ten. Also, if you are among the first twenty tables of ten, a Fire player (hopefully one with good manners) will eat with you.

I have blown this off every year. But it occurred to me that I really should be offering this to everyone. I have some interest. I'm sure Tania would have some interest (since the kids will be in school - unless we take them out to attend). Maybe, we have enough interest to get a table of 10 and eat with Blanco. Kris could translate. Or better yet, the Jamrowski's could translate!

Anyway, just throwing it out there. Comment back if you have any interest and, if so, we can look into it further.

Blaaaancoooo! G'oooooal!

Whew!
The Fire have signed Temo! And we are guaranteed that the rest of the league will despise us for at least one more season!

Here's the Blanco promo Video. Enjoy!

The Year in Review

The beginning of the new year is always a good time to take some time to organize your thoughts and review the year past. In that spirit, I sat down to review the year as recorded by the Section (one oh!) Eight Fan Blog...

The "fan year" started off distressingly; First, our newly minted (and, we thought, beloved coach), Juan Carlos Osario (hereafter JCO), defected to the NY Red Bull siting "family reasons" (his son needed an XBox AND a Play Station 3 for each room in the house). Fan Ire followed. Soon after, the truly beloved Wilman Conde wrote an open letter asking to be transferred to NYRB and a wide ranging conspiracy, worthy of an Illinois Governor, became apparent to the Fire faithful.

Eventually, Dennis Hamlet was named coach (at the time, it was quite the let down from JCO). Wilman and Lider DID NOT transfer. We bled off some defensive players on waiver and picked up Brandon Prideax (soon to become our most solid defender, with the exception of Gonzo - but at the time, I remember saying "who?"). We also signed Andy Herron and Tomas Frankowski to the offensive ranks. Suddenly, just as season tickets were arriving, we looked like we might be an offensive powerhouse with Barret, Rolfe, Herron, Frankowski, Mapp, Blanco, first-round draftee Nyarko, Thorrington, and Calen Carr all with striker potential.

The season opener came, and then another game, and we were waiting for the offense to develop, although the defense looked fairly solid considering we had a rookie in the middle and Diego playing Center Back (remember how short Diego Gutierrez looked lined up next to Sumare?), an unusual position for the veteran. Then, the home opener arrived on a cold and wet day in April. A grudge match if ever there was a grudge match. I need say no more, but after this game we all came away believing that we might really be an offensive power house and hoping that we were in for a special season. And for the next few games, the offense was ever-present, even racking up a couple Sierra Mist GOTW.

But then things settled down and we came to understand we would be a great defensive team with a competent possession game and sometimes spotty offensive finishing. Never the less, except for the fact that we seemed to do all the winning away from home, the season continued to be a blast.

Detour now to the Fantasy League. By now, our experimental foray into Fantasy Football (EU Football) was underway and we all had a shot at the title. Looking back, I realize that I should have had an award for best team name (O'Leary's Cow would have taken it). However, it was a good overall competition. You can review the final results here.

Back to the season - Second place overall - WOW! A fantastic showing by the Fire. But even better, the final home game of the season turns out to be against the Hated Revs!! The symmetry was preternatural, as you'll see in the posting for that game...

Alas, that would be our last win, as the Crew came back to beat us in the Conference Final. A great season. The one blemish - JCO and RBNY won the Western Conference (nobody has yet managed to explain to me how NEW YORK could be WESTERN Conference Champion?!!). But, I just remind myself that we beat the NYRB 5-0 and 5-1 this season...

It's also worth mentioning that the Fire roster picked up a huge amount of International Experience this year. Rolfe, Thorrington, Blanco, Marco Pappa, Gonzo, Mapp, Conde, Busch, and don't forget McBride. We look strong and stable.

I'll part with a link to a highlight reel, just for reminiscence and all.

Season ticket planning starts February - First home game April 5th! Oh yes, and don't forget, that home opener is against JCO and RBNY (can we go for 6-0 this time?!!).

HAPPY NEW YEAR SECTION ONE OH EIGHT!!

New Year Resolutions

Do people still make New Year resolutions?

I admit that my life has become so busy that I hardly notice the passing of the new year; work, work, work, pop cork, work... Am I alone? I doubt it. Maybe its the kids, etc., but I bet we've all become desensitised to big calendar moments as we become more and more driven by the little calendar events that crop up every week.

Well, I'm bucking the trend (on behalf of the Chicago Fire) and making up my New Year's Resolution list for the Fire. Here are the things that, I think, the Fire should resolve to change in the coming year.

1. Keep Chris Rolfe under Contract. This guy is an amazing professional. We need him. Others will want him. Don't let him go. Keep him happy and productive.
2. Get Marco Pappa into the lineup. I'm very premature in saying this, but I have the feeling that Marco could, just maybe, be the understudy we need to take over for Blanco when he leaves.
3. Re-up Blanco for one more year. He's still exciting to watch and he's good for the team and the league. He gets more cheers and more boos than any other player in the MLS. He was the All Star MVP for a reason and we need him in the lineup.
4. Figure out how to use Mapp in the system or trade him. I've been watching Mapp for 3 years and he's always on the verge of a break out. If Justin can't break out with us, trade him to another team and give him a chance in another system.
5. Find some ridiculous speed - somewhere. Maybe Africa. Every other team seams to be finding speedy African talent. Maybe Nyarko (if that knee injury hasn't hobbled him). Maybe Carr. Whatever, we have McBride and Blanco. Great, but these guys are not going to win any races.

Well, that's five. More than I made for myself. How about you guys? Got some resolutions for the fire (or Section 108) for the New Year? Let's here 'em - post away!