No More Postage Stamp

KC is on its way to becoming the next MLS team with a soccer specific stadium. Local government in KC has cleared way to begin construction of the Wizard's new home.

(Child) Artist's Rendering of the New Stadium

Couldn't come soon enough, IMO. I'm done watching pro-soccer played on astroturf and youth size fields.

Road Trip!

Going Street

We need to seriously pick up our pre-game parking lot pass around...



I'll be expecting everyone to be practicing thier signiture moves this spring. John, you go with the round about kick. Kris, you do the back flip kick. I'll be the human ball tee.

Can you Shoot? LA may need YOU!

Rumor from England is that, with Landon Donovan playing solid soccer for Everton, his 10 week loan may be extended past the start of the MLS season.

Will LA really consider this, given they just signed a 9 million dollar multi-year deal with Donovan? And, Beckham will probably be unavailable until after the World Cup, what with his loan to Milan?

It looks like LA may be looking for strikers this year. At least they should have the cash to pay! Oh, forgot, salary cap.

While we are talking about rumors, here's the scariest rumor / headline I read during the Christmas season when I wasn't posting to the blog....

Eric Wynalda to Coach Chicago?

Boy, am I glad that one was a rumor...

Are the Fire Shopping?

Word in the press.....the Fire are out shopping around for the Designated Player slot openned by Blanco's departure.

That's pretty exciting news. The report is that Klopas is looking for an attacking midfielder at the DP salary range. No names yet.

Also in the press - it seems to be generally agreed that, of all playoff teams, the Fire had the best draft - no contest. Pretty exciting again.

One last item. Good "vibes" comming out of the owner/player meeting today. Agreement in the offing? Fingers crossed.

Oh nelly! 68 days and counting!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Do you FIFA?

No reason for this post, other than I like the fact Chicago Fire made the cover of a video game box. If that banner was just a little bit higher, I could pretend Wayne Rooney was actually Chad Barret. And Lampard looks kind of like McBride. My God, its the All Fire FIFA! i'm ok now... Hey, this is for the IPhone....gotta go now.....

Se' Habla Espanol?

Ok Kris - we need some translation here....



Looks like Landon is a star in Mexico! How come nobody you meet on the street knows his name? Maybe if he brought a .45 into the Galaxy locker room...

Labor Disputes and Lock-Outs

Following up on our disscussion at the bar, here is some information on the ongoing labor negotiation between the MLS Players Union and the MLS Owners.

Gleened from the soccer blogosphere:
"According to two veteran members of the MLS players union, Major League Soccer is playing hardball with the union and hasn't come close to considering some of the demands being made by the players. Guaranteed contracts, allowing teams to negotiate contacts rather than the league office, and free agency are issues the players union appear ready to fight for, but are three issues MLS is apparently not ready to budge on."

As we discussed, players want the right to free agency with other MLS teams, if their contract lapses. Right now, that is not the case. Players like Rolfe and Segares who are no longer under contract can transfer for $0 to other leagues, but they are not free to negotiate with other teams inside the MLS. This, of course, is anathama to the league right now. The last thing they want to see is a bidding war for any player.

Unfortunately, I agree with this, as unfair as it may seem (or be). I've watched one professional soccer league die in my lifetime - I don't want to watch a second.

The players would also like a boost in the salary cap. Somthing can be negotiated here, I would hope. Especially given the cartel nature of the league. Move some money from market to market and make this happen.

Finally, the players would like guaranteed contracts. I admit I'm not an expert at this.

Here's a statement from Commissioner Garber dated yesterday:

We are working hard, collectively, both the MLSPU and the league, to try to reach an agreement that’s going to be good for both players and management. We are working very hard to do that. We are meeting regularly…we met several times last week and we’re meeting again next week. But we are going to get to a point where both players and management are going to have to make some tough decisions.

We’ve been doing very well over the last ten years making this league very stable. We need to ensure we have the right kind of deal to continue to develop the game the way we have and clearly the players are going to have to try to decide what kind of deal they will accept to get the type of things they are looking for.

At the end of the day, this is still a very young sport. For 50 years, soccer has failed in this country. And here we are, about to have 18 teams, nearly 10 soccer stadiums, all because we’ve had a system that albeit different, is one that allows us to have this ability to continue to operate and grow for another day.
Don Garber

The international organization, FIFPRO came out condeming the practices of the MLS and in support of the players. However, it's not clear if the players solicited this intervention or not. Right now, it seems the union is fractured with power players like Keller and Twellman talking strike and the vast majority of lesser paid players hoping for a negotiated deal.

January 31st is right around the corner...

MORTAL KOMBAT!

The much awaited next posting in the "Why Don't We Have Soccer Commercials Like These?" series is here. (It was "much awaited", wasn't it?)

Project Runway, 2010

Behold, the new kits for 2010. Do these look like MLS Cup Championship Ready Kits? Yes, I do believe so....

Funny thing about the stars on the jersey - they are not visible if the jersey is tucked into the shorts.

The away kit definitely looks better than last year. They finally integrated the "Best Buy" on the away Jersey. With this improvement, maybe we'll even win a game in our Whites this year!

Time for me to go buy a Jersey...

An Ohio Yankee in Prince Hamlet's Court

Chris Rolfe has arrived in Aalborg, Denmark and had his first practice with his new club, AaB. AaB TV has posted an interview with Rolfe on thier web site. Here's the link.

Aalborg's coach is on the record as expecting Rolfe to compete immediately for a starting spot. GO ROLFE! GOOD LUCK!

The Starting Eleven - 2010

Ok, so a little self endulgence. I've decided to sit down and imagine the starting eleven for the upcomming season. Who will de Los Cabos put in the line up? Here are my picks. Post your picks too.

GOALKEEPER: Ok, I didn't really spend a lot of time thinking about this one. Bushy has been solid and reliable when he's not being brilliant. He had a handful of mistakes last year. I'm sure he's spent the off season watching them over and over again on film. This guy will be ready for another "Goal Tender of the Year" award in 2010.

DEFENSE: Jees - rough year for defense in 2009. We've had several significant departures. First and formost, Gonzalo Segares, Gonzo, has headed to Apallon FC in Cypress after his contract expired this year. A huge loss. Brandon Prideaux, always reliable if not beloved, having never suffered a significant injury, retired before his luck ran out. And, of course, Sumare left for France during the regular season. However, the Fire still have talent to put on the field in the defense. Here are my choices:

Center Back: C. J. Brown, does he have one more season in his old legs? CJ has the smarts, but he's been prone to injury. If he can keep healthy, he's sure to be on the defensive starter list for Cabos.

Center Back: Wilman "Conde the Barbarian" still has two years on this contract. The Fire are still unlikely to release Wilman, no matter how much he squirms, so I expect to see Wilman anchoring the Defence at Center Back again this year. Although, he would be a formidable holding midfielder if we pick-up a center back in a trade somewhere.

Left Back: Tim Ward? Danny Woolard? Danny's the natural lefty, but I'm going with Timmy, because I think Tim will earn a spot on the lineup, and I also think Woolard will be edged by the superior height of Dasan.





Right Back: Dasan Robinson. If Dasan can't stay healthy or fails to show up, Woolard is ready to step into the role of left back and Timmy will take the right. But I have a feeling Robinson is going to show and be ready to start. Of course, Dasan would prefer to take C.J.'s spot in the middle - we'll see.

MIDFIELD: Here's where the talent for the fire is perhaps the deepest, and also the most uncertain. Who will emerge as the starters for 2010? Here are my picks.

Defensive Mid: It must be Logan Pause yes? Conde, no doubt wants this position. Can he convince Cabos to move him there? I don't think so. Cabos will want the consistency at this position, given the experimentation he's going to have to do at the other spots around the field.

Wing Mids: Marco Papa and Justin Mapp. Baggio wants Justin's spot, and there is no player on the roster who is more inconsistant than Mapp. But Mapp is still very young but very experienced. He needs to show early, capture the starter spot and hold on to it. Besides, Papa is a lock and Mapp has shown that he is the perfect foil for Papa.

Maestro: Who else, John Thorington. With Rolfe's engine out of the line-up there is only one player who can bring comparable pace and endurance and that's Thor. He's proven he can score from outside the box. He only needs to show that he can pull the trigger quick. This could be a massive year for Thorington.

FORWARDS: Scoring, scoring, scoring. It was the biggest disappointment from 2009. Plus, we had scoring from virtually every quarter of the field. Minus, not very much scoring. We need McBride to get immediately back on the wagon and we need someone to step up as a second target. Dimitrov? Nyarko? Banner? Carr? Here's my pick.

Striker: Brian McBride remains the craftiest forward on the team. He's lethal with his head in the box and he can get open and muscle off centerbacks. He will be Cabos' choice for striker and I think he'll immediately start to produce.

Forward: I'm going with Nyarko. Without Blanco play making, we are going to need to stretch the field and make space for play. Nyarko has the speed to turn defenders and cause havoc. Havoc and space that can be exploited by Mapp, Papa and McBride. What about Carr? Yes, his speed is comparable to Nyarko's, or used to be. He just didn't show after his return from injury last year. But if he prepared well during the off season, his longer pro experience might just give him the edge over Nyarko.

SUPERSUBS: Who will be the super sub for the Fire this year? Here are a few ideas:

Dimitrov: With his height and quick shot, this guy looks like he's ready to do something. He is the only player with a chance of commanding the air in the box like McBride. Look for Dimitrov to enter the game for McBride on occasion.

Peter Lowery: I expect Lowery to get a fair amount of starting time this year, but look for him as a frequent 60 minute sub for Mapp or Papa. I think his superior outside shot and carnivore attitude will give him the edge over Banner and Carr as the choice for midfield sub.

Calen Carr: If Nyarko is being made to run, run, run, Carr is going to need to sub for him by 70. Expect Carr's speed to make an impact against a tired defense.

Well, that's my starting 11. Only 70 days until we see the real thing.

Canada Sucks!

Yep, Toronto FC at 730.
Playin' washers, eatin' ribs.


-- Posted from my iPhone

What next?

I just learned that Rolphe has reached terms with a Danish first division team. He will depart in January. Now I'm waiting for the next shoe to drop...Segares? Blanco? Pappa?
In the mean time I think I'll visit Rolfe's blog and post my congratulations. I hope Rolfe uses these last few matches to put on a show.


-- Posted from my iPhone

Frick!!

It's August, it's 50 degrees, and we lost. This sucks!


-- Post From My iPhone

Halftime

It's halftime and the fire are trailing 0-1. But we are totally stomping on these guys. It's only a matter of time...GO FIRE!


-- Post From My iPhone

Chicago Fire Power Ranking Dialed in at 2

The league / pseudo press has been putting out the MLS Power Rankings all year. After starting out in position 1, briefly degrading as low as 3, we have now cemented into position 2 for the last few weeks.

Of course, you can guess who's ahead of us in number 1 === Yep, Chivas. So this is the week to break the lock and take back number 1 with a decisive victory over Chivas U.S.A.

The game will be televised on ESPN2 (in HD if you've got it). John broke the news, however, that the game starts at 9:30pm central time. So, stock up on caffeinated beverages!

GO FIRE!!!

Del Gooooooooool! Del Rolfe!

¡Oh sí! Nada es más dulce que ganar a los Red Bulls, a menos que ganar a los Red Bulls de Nueva York Chris Rolfe en un objetivo en los últimos segundos de la primera mitad!

Próxima parada, California, EE.UU. y Chivas!"

(Translation: Oh my god - Jon Busche saved our butts! Big Time! (and Chris Rolfe scored))

Up, Up, and Away!

Some will already be aware of the catastrophe at the Revs game; one of our flagpoles fractured and collapsed! Investigation has confirmed that it was a strength of materials issue. With that in mind, design on version 2 was begun. And, oh yes, we can rebuild it - better, stronger, higher than before.

Implementation of version two was all but complete today. From it, satellites can be launched into low earth orbit. The carbon nano-tube design makes it incredibly strong. And the embedded servo gyros make it self steadying and self assembling.

All that remains is for us to purchase a Fire flag of adequate size to be seen from 75,000 feet. I'll leave that to you guys. Hopefully, it doesn't cost 6 million dollars....

Update - Kris Locates Viable Flag

After an exhastive search (his reply was posted like 10 minutes after I posted the original blog), Kris has located a flag of sufficient size to be seen from low earth orbit. Hopefully, its made from silicon fiber so that it can survive the heat of re-entry...GO FIRE!

Sierra Mist [Fire] Goal of the Week

Let's just go ahead and rename this thing, since we own it. For the third week running, McBride has been nominated for Goal of the Week. And this week he's joined by Gonzolo Segares. So, pick your flavor - McGoal or Gonzo Goal - and vote here.

Revenge is a Dish Best Served Cold...

Yes, I know. I've dug this old saw out before, and I guess I'll keep doing it until we avoid getting knocked out in the playoffs and finally win the MLS Cup. I'm convinced we're going to put the Crew in a world of hurt tomorrow. Watch the game on Fox Soccer Channel. Here's the game guide for your viewing pleasure.

Grab a beer and watch the Fire crush the Crew. Or, as Khan would say, "I've done more than beat you. I've hurt you. And I wish to go on...hurting you. I shall leave you as you left me. Scoreless for all eternity in the center of a dead stadium. Buried alive... Buried alive... Buried alive..."