I’m glad I baited you into clicking on this one. I might go as far as saying this is my hottest take of them all. I believe in the Chicago Fire FC, no matter how stupid their new logo is.
I can admit, this is 100% a bias take for my dearly beloved Fire. I don’t know if any MLS team has had a more controversial offseason. Where do I begin? In 2018, Joe Mansueto gained majority ownership of the Fire. He was gonna use that MorningStar money to make the Fire relevant again. The move the Soldier Field was announced and the Fire were on a path to relevancy.
So where does that leave us now? A new logo, designed by seemingly a 10-year-old. A new, and dare I say, THE BEST LOOKING, COACH IN THE MLS, sorry Bruce. A swing and a miss on Rodolfo Pizarro. And surprisingly, some brand new DP’s. All of this whirlwind will place the Fire on a path for the playoffs, there I said it when no one will.
auf Wiedersehen Basti…
The Good: The end of an era at Toyota Park. Where the men in red wore red. That saw the retirement of Bastian Schweinsteiger. That dawned legends like Blanco, Brown, Armas, and almost Chicharito.
The Bad: May 18 through August 3rd. All of it.
Chicago’s Spongebob Gif:
Mansueto took all the measures to make sure the 2020 season return to Soldier Field was gonna be spotless. The letting go of players and coaches, bringing in new suits and coaches, a new logo, and new players. And what a turn around it has been. Sporting Director George Heitz was hired in late December. DECEMBER.
Offseason Moves
Oh boy! Look at all those chickens. The first piece was the bringing in of Alvaro Medran. Unfortunately for Alvaro, it was Nelson Rodriguez that brought him in. And with allegedly his party lifestyle, he might lose what seemed to be his starting spot. Beric is in to replace Nikolic. Gaston to replace Dax. Aliseda to battle Sapong. Pineda to grow. I love what Heitz did to this team.
Just, it would have been awesome if they got a more talented defenseman, and maybe a less good looking, but more accomplished coach. But that’s okay. I don’t mind a J.Crew model as a coach, and some MLS experienced CB’s manning the back.
Starting Lineup
As much as it killed me to make this model in dark blue and mustard, I’m much fonder on this lineup than the rest of MLS media. I’m not sure that there is a team in the MLS to have just as good of an offseason in terms of bringing in DPs. Gaston Gimenez is gonna be in the running for Newcomer of the year.
If youngsters Aliseda, Mihailovic, and Frankowski can play near their potential, they’ll be MAJOR contributors. If Beric can stay healthy, him and Sappong interchanging this season at striker can probably pile up 20-25 goals between the two. And if they can get even an ounce of a good season from the center backs, were looking at an MLS Cup run this season.
Betting Odds
If you believe in this team as much as I do, you’d be smashing this +4000, like me. Look, it’s not surprising that the East is gonna run through Atlanta and NYCFC. But really after them, seedings are WIDE OPEN. DC, Philly, and Toronto could take a step back this season. And obviously, those last two spots are up for grabs.
Best Watches
Apart from moving back to the city, the Fire’s most clutch move this season was striking a deal with WGN. With the Chicago Cubs moving to their own TV Network, I think the Fire now legally owns, “You Can Catch It All On WGNnnnnn!!!!”
It’s a big move, but so is 10 nationally broadcast games. Particularly opening day vs Seattle, vs Miami, vs both Los Angeles teams, and vs DC and Atlanta United. Those are some damn good watches. Pair that with decision day vs Philadelphia, and you got a fucking Rolex if you ask me.
Predictions
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFOracFClBg?start=19]
The reason I have Chicago Fire finishing 5th in the East is solely off potential. Potential, and also, halfway through these blogs I kinda forgot about them so they couldn’t possibly finish in the bottom 10.
Like I said, if Beric is healthy, and Brad Pitt on the bench doesn’t make some bonehead decisions, the Fire can go far. How far you may ask, as your eyes have painfully made it to the end of the blog? I’m moron enough to say, Eastern Conference Final is this team’s upside. While I may be wrong and this team finishes bottom 5 in the east, if this play hits I’ll look like a goddamn genius.
Hey! If you hated this blog! You’re gonna hate the other 25 blogs! Be sure to check them out as I count down each MLS team from worst to first for 2020.