Feed the Fire: A Chicago Fire Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Hey, soccer fans! MLS is back at it again, this time with the MLS Disciplinary Committee issuing a fine to Leo Messi and Luis Suarez for their actions against NYCFC - grabbing the neck of an opposing player and coach - but suspending the Chicago Fire's Brian Gutierrez for a match after a hard foul and contact to an opponent's head. Are we seeing The Messi Rules finally coming into plain view? Or do you think these two instances can be reconciled?

In the second half of the show, Nick previews the Men in Red's home opener against DC United. Stay tuned to hear the transfers in and out for DC and how the match is expected to go. The Fire squandered opportunities to take points against bad Eastern Conference teams last season, and if they want to make the playoffs, can't do it again.

Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show.

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Hey, soccer fans! MLS IS BACK! And it feels like the Chicago Fire never left, after an opening weekend loss where they let a 2-1 lead spiral into a 4-2 defeat. The Men in Red quickly showed what the new lineup is capable of, with Jonathan Bamba assisting two Brian Gutierrez goals. But the defense showed they need work and the roster is still not complete as the Columbus Crew were able to score three straight to seal the victory.

Tune in as our host breaks down the stats, analyzes the film, and gives you his perspective on the Chicago Fire's opening match of 2025. Nick also recaps the other matches from around Major League Soccer, noting the wild results from the opening weekend.

Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show.

Follow the Fire on SportSpyder.

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Hey, soccer fans! New year, new Chicago Fire! The club has been extremely busy in 2025 in building out the attack. Our host Nick provides an update on the transfer fee for new winger Philip Zinckernagel, and how it has allowed Berhalter & Co. to pursue another high level winger, Frenchman Gaetan Perrin. Perrin is a star for French club Auxerre, helping them win promotion to Ligue 1 this season, and continuing his fine form with 5 goals and 4 assists so far. If the deal goes well for the Fire, they'll acquire another TAM-level winger ... and still have two Designated Player (DP) spots available!

In the second half of the show, Nick looks at all the new additions to the Chicago Fire's coaching staff, including four new assistant coaches and a Director of Methodology and Talent Manager. These coaches have experience from all levels of American and international soccer and there will be no lack of ideas on how to get the most out the Men in Red.

Tune in and join the conversation! Make sure you like & subscribe, rate & review, and keep growing the show.

Follow the Fire on SportSpyder.

Connect on social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube

Hey, Fire fans and MLS fans! Are you sick of Leagues Cup yet? I know you aren't, but many Liga MX fans are - even their coaches have heavily criticized the tournament due to travel, scheduling, refereeing and Messi favoritism. Tune in for our rebuttal and to hear where they actually may have some merit.

Our host also looks at the Chicago Fire players entering free agency at the end of the season: Kamara, Herbers, Omsberg, and Richey. Would you keep them or let them walk if you were the Fire? Nick lets you know just how he feels about the players and their position and value on the team.

In the second half, we preview the Fire's next regular season match (it's finally back!), an August 20 matchup vs. Orlando City. Their last meting saw Facundo Torres run wild, in a 3-1 route. Tune in to hear about Orlando City's stats, formations, players to watch, and how the Fire can gain ground in the playoff race.

Remember to rate, review, and share the show. Let's go, Fire!

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Hey, Fire fans! What a way to go out in Leagues Cup! Przybylko misses a sitter and moments later Gimenez scores an own goal. The Fire were once again victims of their old habits - playing desperate defense and failing to create anything on offense. While Club America looked frustrated at times during the second half, they were soundly in control of the match. Tune in as we discuss the lineup choices, the stats, and the overall impressions of the match.

In the second half of the show, join our host Nick as he recaps all the big transfers from around Major League Soccer. Several playoff-bound teams have signed players who will help shore up their defense or keep their offense rolling. We cover the latest moves from LAFC, LA Galaxy, San Jose, Dallas, Minnesota, and the Crew.

Remember to rate, review, and share the show. Let's go, Fire!

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Hey, Fire fans and MLS fans! What a way for the Chicago Fire to open up their history in Leagues Cup! Their improbably victory at Minnesota United marks a real turning point in the club this season. Through a combination of better team play, coaching, and catching some lucky breaks, the Men in Red look poised for a successful Leagues Cup run and a positive second half of the Major League Soccer regular season.

And for the second half of our show, our host breaks down all the biggest transfers of the Eastern Conference during the summer transfer window. Inter Miami added two Under 22 Initiative signings to compliment Messi, Busquets, and Alba. New York City finalize the transfer of Taty Castellanos to Lazio and obtain Perea on loan from Philadelphia. Columbus Crew make headlines by transferring star Lucas Zelarayan to Saudi Arabia club Al Fateh. There is some consolation for Crew fans as they also add Julian Gressel. Tune in for so much more from the transfer window.

Nick concludes the show with a quick word on the United States Women's National Team. He still has confidence in the team to win the World Cup ... again. But he cautions you to make sure you're getting you news and opinions from those "in the know." That is, not from self-educated internet accounts.

Enjoy Leagues Cup! Enjoy the Women's World Cup!

And be sure to share the podcast, rate and review.

Hey, Fire fans, are we enjoying the Leagues Cup!? Messi nets his first goal in MLS, American clubs dominate their Mexican counterparts in Liga MX, and we haven't even seen all the clubs play yet! Tune in and listen to our host break down Messi's play, the Fire's chances of advancing, and why he thinks Leagues Cup will start a cycle of new investment and development in American soccer.

Nick also takes a closer look at the Chicago Fire's latest acquisition, defensive midfielder Ousmane Doumbia. The 31 year old Ivorian has spent his career in the Swiss Super League, making a name for himself as a reliable starter and solid defender. How will this translate to MLS? Nick let's us know the stats and how he anticipates his role with the Men in Red.

Don't forget to follow the show and share the link!

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Hey, Fire and MLS fans! Welcome back as we Feed the Fire talking about the player ratings and the Fotmob/Sofascore effect on the sport. Our host rants about how it's hurting the game - just like fantasy football did to the NFL - but he also takes a deep dive into how it can be useful for certain evaluations, comparisons, and conversations.

Nick also recaps the Chicago Fire's win vs. a reeling Toronto FC squad. Your Men in Red did just enough to take three points - and it took them 90 minutes and a shocking Przybylko header to do it - from the Reds north of the border. Tune in for a stats recap and commentary by our special guest, John Donovan.

After the break, Nick admits the Fire have turned a corner, but doubles down on the fact the team still isn't that good. Favorable matchups are helping them more than they're helping themselves, and the franchise still sits in 8th place (of 15 teams).

Finally, Leagues Cup is upon us! Get your primer on the newest tournament and find out exactly why it's so important for teams to take the event seriously. This ain't the opening rounds of the US Open Cup.

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Hey, soccer fans! It was a bizarro Wednesday on the American soccer landscape. In Major League Soccer, we saw the Chicago Fire jump out to a quick 3-0 lead vs. conference rival CF Montreal and hold on for the victory. Not to be outdone by young stars Georgios Koutsias and Brian Gutierrez, Xerdan Shaqiri found his finishing touch. Tune in as our host breaks down the team play and goals (including Shaqiri's stunner), and analyzes whether the Chicago Fire - your Men in Red - have turned a corner.

In the second half of the show, Nick previews the Fire's next matchup: a beleaguered and battered Toronto FC. The reds to the north are without Italian star Bernardeschi, and plenty of other players are sidelined with injuries. The Fire's hot streak of catching opponent's at their weakest continues, but can they convert it to another three points? Stay tuned.

To wrap the show, Nick also comments on the play of the USMNT in the Gold Cup, after an upsetting loss to Panama in the semi-finals. Even though the USA brought their "C Team," the expectation was still to win the tournament. Listen in as we discuss the player pool depth and where US Soccer Federation (USSF) needs to continue to build the program.

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Hey, soccer fans! Don't say it too loudly, but the Fire are on the verge of being above the playoff line. After an uninspiring win over Nashville SC, the Men in Red sit level with 9th place CF Montreal on points. And would you look at that - who is the next opponent on the schedule: CF Montreal. It's fate! The Fire face off against one of the only teams in Major League Soccer that are worse than they are (at least statistically). Don't expect beautiful soccer, but do expect a hard fought match to try to keep a rival out of a playoff spot.

Do the Fire pull off another victory? Any little bit of offense will go a long way against this Montreal team.

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