Tim Hotze
@timhotze.com
Managing Editor @meninred97.com
Chicago Fire (& other) soccer
Member @soccerreporters.bsky.social
MLS Roster Rule nerd. GAM aficionado.
Chicago Fire (& other) soccer
Member @soccerreporters.bsky.social
MLS Roster Rule nerd. GAM aficionado.
So Robinhood made a social network for some reason and yeah, it's going about like you'd expect.
September 18, 2026 at 11:09 PM
So Robinhood made a social network for some reason and yeah, it's going about like you'd expect.
Was great talking about the Fire with @sixonefivesoccer.com
We checked in with @meninred97.com for the latest on the Chicago Fire before Saturday's match.
Zoomed N: Chicago Fire with Men In Red 97
Tim Hotze stops by to catch us up on the Fire before Saturday's match.
www.sixonefivesoccer.com
September 18, 2026 at 4:21 PM
Was great talking about the Fire with @sixonefivesoccer.com
For everyone keeping score at home, wondering if the Stars could act like a competent organization for a full 24 hours after hiring Vlatko....
Turns out the answer is no! (Who gives a 15 MINUTE HEADS UP for a press conference?)
Turns out the answer is no! (Who gives a 15 MINUTE HEADS UP for a press conference?)
The Stars just announced an introductory press conference for Vlatko Andonovski
It’s in 15 minutes #nwsl
It’s in 15 minutes #nwsl
September 17, 2026 at 10:30 PM
For everyone keeping score at home, wondering if the Stars could act like a competent organization for a full 24 hours after hiring Vlatko....
Turns out the answer is no! (Who gives a 15 MINUTE HEADS UP for a press conference?)
Turns out the answer is no! (Who gives a 15 MINUTE HEADS UP for a press conference?)
Robert Lewandowski in an interview w/Mateusz Skwierawski:
"This summer, the offer from Chicago Fire wasn't the highest I've received. I can put that to rest."
Confirms he will be w/🇵🇱 for all 4 of their matches this fall. Would mean missing two games for #cf97
"This summer, the offer from Chicago Fire wasn't the highest I've received. I can put that to rest."
Confirms he will be w/🇵🇱 for all 4 of their matches this fall. Would mean missing two games for #cf97
September 17, 2026 at 3:25 PM
Robert Lewandowski in an interview w/Mateusz Skwierawski:
"This summer, the offer from Chicago Fire wasn't the highest I've received. I can put that to rest."
Confirms he will be w/🇵🇱 for all 4 of their matches this fall. Would mean missing two games for #cf97
"This summer, the offer from Chicago Fire wasn't the highest I've received. I can put that to rest."
Confirms he will be w/🇵🇱 for all 4 of their matches this fall. Would mean missing two games for #cf97
Chicago Fire's updated roster and cap info - Fire have $1.1m in GAM which they can use for signing bonuses in 2026 or to add to cap in the sprint season or beyond.
#cf97 #VamosFire
#cf97 #VamosFire
September 17, 2026 at 2:18 PM
Chicago Fire's updated roster and cap info - Fire have $1.1m in GAM which they can use for signing bonuses in 2026 or to add to cap in the sprint season or beyond.
#cf97 #VamosFire
#cf97 #VamosFire
Reposted by Tim Hotze
Not a single American on the field in the Campeones' Cup, and Inter Miami getting ole'd in their own house. This is soccer heritage.
September 17, 2026 at 12:09 AM
Not a single American on the field in the Campeones' Cup, and Inter Miami getting ole'd in their own house. This is soccer heritage.
Four keepers, with Freese, Kochen, and Schwake listed.
Means if #cf97's Chris Brady is in the group as expected, he likely wouldn't be the 1st choice GK (though in friendlies, that doesn't necessarily mean much).
Fire play Charlotte and Vancouver on USMNT matchdays this window.
Means if #cf97's Chris Brady is in the group as expected, he likely wouldn't be the 1st choice GK (though in friendlies, that doesn't necessarily mean much).
Fire play Charlotte and Vancouver on USMNT matchdays this window.
Among the expected USMNT call-ups, per sources:
Diego Kochen
Brian Schwake
Matt Freese
Cavan Sullivan (per ESPN’s Jeff Carlisle)
Zavier Gozo
Neil Pierre
Mathis Albert
Frankie Westfield
Justin Ellis
Likely 26 players, including four keepers
Nothing official til Thursday
Diego Kochen
Brian Schwake
Matt Freese
Cavan Sullivan (per ESPN’s Jeff Carlisle)
Zavier Gozo
Neil Pierre
Mathis Albert
Frankie Westfield
Justin Ellis
Likely 26 players, including four keepers
Nothing official til Thursday
September 16, 2026 at 9:13 PM
Four keepers, with Freese, Kochen, and Schwake listed.
Means if #cf97's Chris Brady is in the group as expected, he likely wouldn't be the 1st choice GK (though in friendlies, that doesn't necessarily mean much).
Fire play Charlotte and Vancouver on USMNT matchdays this window.
Means if #cf97's Chris Brady is in the group as expected, he likely wouldn't be the 1st choice GK (though in friendlies, that doesn't necessarily mean much).
Fire play Charlotte and Vancouver on USMNT matchdays this window.
Marko Mitrović read the Fire like a book to hand he team their 1st loss since July 25th
Here's what we learned about #cf97 against the Revs
www.meninred97.com/streak-over-...
Here's what we learned about #cf97 against the Revs
www.meninred97.com/streak-over-...
Streak over: What We Learned Against the Revs
Marko Mitrović's Revs exploited the FIre's weaknesses to hand the team their 1st loss since July
www.meninred97.com
September 15, 2026 at 12:54 AM
Marko Mitrović read the Fire like a book to hand he team their 1st loss since July 25th
Here's what we learned about #cf97 against the Revs
www.meninred97.com/streak-over-...
Here's what we learned about #cf97 against the Revs
www.meninred97.com/streak-over-...
FWIW this also coincides with Mbokazi's injury: He hasn't played a single minute for the Fire since the World Cup break.
Both of the Fire's goals tonight would likely have been prevented by having a highly a mobile center back out there
Both of the Fire's goals tonight would likely have been prevented by having a highly a mobile center back out there
Hard to criticize the Fire's decision to sign Robert Lewandowski, but they're pressing a lot less and struggling a lot more defensively without Hugo Cuypers.
With Cuypers: 0.75 GA/game (6th), 0.97 xGA/game (5th)
With Lewandowski: 1.40 GA/game (21st), 1.15 xGA/game (11th)
With Cuypers: 0.75 GA/game (6th), 0.97 xGA/game (5th)
With Lewandowski: 1.40 GA/game (21st), 1.15 xGA/game (11th)
September 14, 2026 at 2:09 AM
FWIW this also coincides with Mbokazi's injury: He hasn't played a single minute for the Fire since the World Cup break.
Both of the Fire's goals tonight would likely have been prevented by having a highly a mobile center back out there
Both of the Fire's goals tonight would likely have been prevented by having a highly a mobile center back out there
Attendance at this one was 26,324 - lowest at Soldier field for the #cf97's Lewandowski era, but a good crowd NFL kickoff weekend, right after the Bears played.
Soldier Field empty stadium picture ahead of #cf97 vs New England Revs
Pitch certainly looks like about 50 guys we're playing college football on it less than 24 hrs ago
Pitch certainly looks like about 50 guys we're playing college football on it less than 24 hrs ago
September 14, 2026 at 12:16 AM
Attendance at this one was 26,324 - lowest at Soldier field for the #cf97's Lewandowski era, but a good crowd NFL kickoff weekend, right after the Bears played.
And final at Soldier Field. Fire's undefeated streak comes to an end at home against the Revs with a 2-1 loss.
6 games and 25 days now since the Fire's last win
#cf97
6 games and 25 days now since the Fire's last win
#cf97
September 13, 2026 at 11:36 PM
And final at Soldier Field. Fire's undefeated streak comes to an end at home against the Revs with a 2-1 loss.
6 games and 25 days now since the Fire's last win
#cf97
6 games and 25 days now since the Fire's last win
#cf97
September 13, 2026 at 11:01 PM
And it's a 47th minute goal by Peyton Miller putting the Revs up 2-0. Fire getting killed by long balls
September 13, 2026 at 10:47 PM
And it's a 47th minute goal by Peyton Miller putting the Revs up 2-0. Fire getting killed by long balls
And that's where we are at half.
Good end-to-end action but not a ton of chances from either side - difference is Revs capitalized on their one best chance on goal; #cf97 didn't
Good end-to-end action but not a ton of chances from either side - difference is Revs capitalized on their one best chance on goal; #cf97 didn't
Dor Turgeman puts the Revs up 1-0 when he's left all alone in goal after Sam Rogers can't get enough on his tackle to get it out of range.
#cf97 #VamosFire
#cf97 #VamosFire
September 13, 2026 at 10:29 PM
And that's where we are at half.
Good end-to-end action but not a ton of chances from either side - difference is Revs capitalized on their one best chance on goal; #cf97 didn't
Good end-to-end action but not a ton of chances from either side - difference is Revs capitalized on their one best chance on goal; #cf97 didn't
Dor Turgeman puts the Revs up 1-0 when he's left all alone in goal after Sam Rogers can't get enough on his tackle to get it out of range.
#cf97 #VamosFire
#cf97 #VamosFire
September 13, 2026 at 10:20 PM
Dor Turgeman puts the Revs up 1-0 when he's left all alone in goal after Sam Rogers can't get enough on his tackle to get it out of range.
#cf97 #VamosFire
#cf97 #VamosFire
How #cf97 line up against against the Revs
1st MLS start for Johan Gómez with Anton Salétros unavailable, and 1st MLS start for Sergio Oregel Jr. this season
Lewy and Zinck lead the attack alongside Puso, with Bamba available on the bench
1st MLS start for Johan Gómez with Anton Salétros unavailable, and 1st MLS start for Sergio Oregel Jr. this season
Lewy and Zinck lead the attack alongside Puso, with Bamba available on the bench
September 13, 2026 at 8:38 PM
How #cf97 line up against against the Revs
1st MLS start for Johan Gómez with Anton Salétros unavailable, and 1st MLS start for Sergio Oregel Jr. this season
Lewy and Zinck lead the attack alongside Puso, with Bamba available on the bench
1st MLS start for Johan Gómez with Anton Salétros unavailable, and 1st MLS start for Sergio Oregel Jr. this season
Lewy and Zinck lead the attack alongside Puso, with Bamba available on the bench
Soldier Field empty stadium picture ahead of #cf97 vs New England Revs
Pitch certainly looks like about 50 guys we're playing college football on it less than 24 hrs ago
Pitch certainly looks like about 50 guys we're playing college football on it less than 24 hrs ago
September 13, 2026 at 7:53 PM
Soldier Field empty stadium picture ahead of #cf97 vs New England Revs
Pitch certainly looks like about 50 guys we're playing college football on it less than 24 hrs ago
Pitch certainly looks like about 50 guys we're playing college football on it less than 24 hrs ago
Anywhoo, checking in on Seb Berhalter.
Really glad Caleb Porter set him straight and told him he had no future in the sport.
Really glad Caleb Porter set him straight and told him he had no future in the sport.
September 12, 2026 at 4:22 PM
Anywhoo, checking in on Seb Berhalter.
Really glad Caleb Porter set him straight and told him he had no future in the sport.
Really glad Caleb Porter set him straight and told him he had no future in the sport.
The Fire's slide is real, but Noah Allen plays CB "like an animal" according to Chris Brady, who has now faced the most Messi shots out of anyone who hasn't let him score.
Here's what we learned at a packed Soldier Field last night:
www.meninred97.com/what-we-lear...
Here's what we learned at a packed Soldier Field last night:
www.meninred97.com/what-we-lear...
What We Learned: Record crowd sees Fire draw Inter Miami
The Fire sat back and let Messi & co hold them to a single point
www.meninred97.com
September 10, 2026 at 10:10 PM
The Fire's slide is real, but Noah Allen plays CB "like an animal" according to Chris Brady, who has now faced the most Messi shots out of anyone who hasn't let him score.
Here's what we learned at a packed Soldier Field last night:
www.meninred97.com/what-we-lear...
Here's what we learned at a packed Soldier Field last night:
www.meninred97.com/what-we-lear...
Alright, Jeff, then explain whatever the hell it is that the Chicago Stars are playing.
September 10, 2026 at 8:38 PM
Alright, Jeff, then explain whatever the hell it is that the Chicago Stars are playing.
The Chicago Fire's Chris Brady and Andrew Gutman - 2 local guys who came up through the #cf97 academy - named to the MLS Team of the Matchday for their performances against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami
September 10, 2026 at 6:35 PM
The Chicago Fire's Chris Brady and Andrew Gutman - 2 local guys who came up through the #cf97 academy - named to the MLS Team of the Matchday for their performances against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami
Gregg Berhalter says he hopes the strong Polish contingent comes back on Sunday for Fire's game against the Revs.
"It's free pierogi night," he says.
"Is it?" a Polish reporter asked.
"It is now," he said in response.
"It's free pierogi night," he says.
"Is it?" a Polish reporter asked.
"It is now," he said in response.
September 10, 2026 at 3:08 AM
Gregg Berhalter says he hopes the strong Polish contingent comes back on Sunday for Fire's game against the Revs.
"It's free pierogi night," he says.
"Is it?" a Polish reporter asked.
"It is now," he said in response.
"It's free pierogi night," he says.
"Is it?" a Polish reporter asked.
"It is now," he said in response.
September 10, 2026 at 2:14 AM