Watch This Before the Toronto FC Game

Proof positive that it isn't the victor who writes the history books -- rather, its the guy left owning the publishing company who writes the history books...



But what this really teaches you is that you should never get your history from a soccer fan blog.

Death to Toronto! Death to Canada! (Sorry, that was harsh, eh?)

Missing Chris?

Missing your Chris Rolfe fix? We aren't getting much of last year's Golden Boot winner this year - Hamlet has him riding lumber due to poor conditioning as a result of a stomach virus.

Well, there's no substitute for watching Chris bulge the old onion bag live - but since we'll have to wait for that, here's some retro Chris to hold you through to Rolfe's first start....Red Bull?

Download Your Game Guide Here...

The Fire go up against DC United (Die! Die! Die!) today. You can download your game guide here. (Although I'll eat my supporter scarf if this is really the starting line up!) (not to mention I'll loose fantasy points...)

GO FIRE!

The Number One Fire Fan...

In case your wondering who the #1 Fire Fan is...well, his name is Jim. Who else?

Fire Fans Wanna Win

Do they ever!

Week one has ended, and "Fire Fans Wanna Win", managed by John Britvich, has jumped out to an early lead - doubling the median score of the field!

Last year's winner, Jason, is respectably in the pack, while my team is eating everyone else's dust (*cough*)

Tania has a tenuous lock on second place at the moment and Kris is right behind in third.

Remember, the Caliphate of Turkmenistan is on the line. So get busy trading players and shoring up your starting eleven....cuz I'm commin' for ya! (from way back - but I'm commin')

Beckham and Posh on Ali G

As promised, here's that hilarious interview of Becks and Posh by Ali G during the Save Africa telethon several years ago.

Week One Under Way

Week 1 of MFLS is underway, and with it, the quest to defeat Jason. To spice up the competition this year, I've decided we'll compete for 10 FANTASTIC prizes, to be given away to the point winner over each 3 week period. Emphasis on Fantastic.

Our first Fantastic prize........drum roll..........The Caliphate of Turkmenistan!

Yes, score the most Fantasy points and you will be crowned the Caliph of Turkmenistan. What a Fantastic prize! Don't you think? True, there aren't many people in Turkmenistan - but all there are will worship you as their Divine Ruler!

But don't count your slaves yet. First you need to score the most Fantasy points between now and the end of Week 3.

Good Luck!

What's That Sound?

What's that sound? It's me sitting in front of my TV yelling "Holy Crap!".

Did we just witness the birth (or rebirth) of what will be the most storied side in MLS?

Okay, I know, calm down - its just one game. But Holy Crap! That was the soccer equivalent of "Shock and Awe". Did you see Angel at the end of the game? He was just standing in the center of the field turning in circles. And did you catch the camera pan across the Red Bull bench? Juan Carlos was sitting at the end of the bench with his trench coat pulled up over his head, his thumb in his mouth, rocking back and forth mumbling "Mio Dios, Mio Dios, Mio Dios...".

In the 73rd minute, I actually saw a kitchen sink hit Goldwaith.

I was actually considering not going to the Seattle game.

CHANGE OF PLANS!!!!!!!

Beckham Love-O-Meter on the Decline?

In the wake of the Milan/Beckham deal, lots of talking heads are proposing the end of the Beckham love fest. Maybe? Don't know. But if so, this commercial might be a glimpse into the future....

Nyarko Late Season 'Slo-Mo' Finally Explained

John made the observation last year that Nyarko looked like he had lost a step after returning from the knee injury he suffered earlier in the year. I never heard an official explanation for that, until I saw this blurb in the Trib...

Feeling better: Patrick Nyarko's knee continued to bother him even after his MCL surgery in August. According to the Fire forward, a cyst built up in the back of his knee after the surgery."At the end of last season, I was getting shots before games," said Nyarko about the pain.Nyarko had the cyst removed after the MLS season and spent about a month on crutches. The 23-year old forward since has recovered and has not missed any time during the pre-season."There's some soreness, so I ice it after practice," Nyarko said. "But the knee is getting stronger every day."

John's future as an MLS trainer or talent scout is secure. We'll know Nyarko is fully recovered when we see John add him to his Fantasy Roster!

Mapp Scores, Nyarko Continues to Show

Justin Mapp scored the Fire's only goal in a preseason freindly today vs a Mexican side in Mexico. Reports say it was a right footed effort assisted by Chris Rolfe.

Nyarko played forward, again getting valuable minutes to show his stuff pre-season. The Trib had an interview in which Nyarko reported that most of his time has been at Temo's position, and the "obviously, he would need to give it up". Nyarko sounded a bit worried about his prospects to break into the line against Rolfe, McBride, Mapp, Temo, Thorrington, and Papa. He reported that he's been working hard on his "defensive positioning". Could it be that Nyarko thinks his best chance is to move from Forward to holding mid and challenge Logan Pause for his spot? Nyarko's coming after Logan's spot from the front and Conde's coming from the back. Sucks to be Pause.

Ofcourse, Conde can only advance to mid if Brown or Robinson can step into the roll of ceterback. So far, I haven't heard anything about Brown this year and his injuries. Again this year we might have more talent than we know what to do with. Sweet.

Major League Fantasy 2009

The 2009 Fantasy Soccer League kicks off this Sunday (Feb 22)! Feel free to start your teams immediately. Remember, unlimited transfers until opening day.

I'll post more on what prizes we'll have this year.

Obviously, if you haven't been paying attention to the preseason, the time to start is now!

Find the links you need to navigate to the site on the sidebar - same as last year.

Get Jason!

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.