Jay the Joke

First openly gay player in MLS brings drama

2013-05-08T19:49:04-06:00

For those who don’t know, Robbie Rogers, former USMNT player with 18 caps (appearances) came out of the closet then promptly “retired.” Once he realized that it was no big deal, he started getting feelers from teams wanting him to come back and play. He’s only 25 and has some mileage left. Former US Men’s coach Bruce Arena is the coach of the LA Galaxy, and Robbie’s been training with them to get back to match fitness.

There’s only one problem: The Chicago Fire hold his rights.

The Chicago Fire have been friendly towards Robbie, saying he’d be welcome and wanting to make sure he comes “home.” Fans have been supportive. However, Rogers dropped a comment saying he doesn’t want to play in Chicago - “If it comes down to you can only play in Chicago, then I probably won’t go back.”

As you know, Chicago sports fans don’t take that sort of guff from anyone.

He’s got family in LA, and naturally, that makes a lot of sense. I mean, coming out of the closet in a major sports league has got to take an emotional toll, and family helps with that. I’m not unsympathetic towards his plight. However, there’s no quicker way to poison a fanbase than to pull that crap.

Naturally, Rogers is backtracking his comments, and now praising the Fire organization.

Since this is MLS, and things in MLS only make sense if you realize that every team east of the Rockies and west of Appalachia is just there for more visible teams to play against. Rogers will probably get his wish and play in LA (LA has two soccer teams, the LA Galaxy and Chivas USA.) The Fire will get something decent in a trade.

MLS never ceases to be of entertainment.

grumble grumble Fire grumble grumble

2013-05-03T18:20:53-06:00

Since we last talked…

The Fire lost to Houston and Montreal, and beat Columbus in between those two games. Ugh. Houston was not a surprise, as they’ve gone unbeaten in 35(?) games ever since opening their new stadium.

Wells Thompson, the most religious person on the team, has the most red cards for hard tackles. I like this.

Arne Friedrich is still nursing an injury and will be back “any day now” it seems.

The new guys: Jeff Larentowicz (aka “ginger douche") hasn’t been that helpful. Joel Linpere has been about the same.

Now I know how Cubs fans feel.

Guys the Fire won!

2013-04-08T23:58:02-06:00

They beat New York, 3-1. NYRB scored first and Chris Rolfe missed a game-tying penalty kick, but fan favorite Daniel Paladini tied it up and Santos scored goals 2 and 3. 3 points helps the Fire out of the cellar.

And who is without a win thus far in the season? The hated-by-everyone Seattle Sounders. muhahahaha.

Fire score a goal, lose. I cry.

2013-03-25T22:32:43-06:00

The Fire lost 4-1 against Chivas USA (aka Fake Chivas or Fake Goats). The team… well, yes, there are injuries BUT WTF. Anyway, it was shit. Absolutely shit. And cold out.

Next game is in two weeks at Toyota Park vs the NY Red Bulls.

Sean Johnson goes to the USMNT, Fire score a point, Fire don’t score goals

2013-03-19T17:49:49-06:00

So the Fire tied Sporting Kansas City (who used to play in Livestrong Park, now it’s just “Sporting Park"). It was a piss-poor game. No offense… just a mess. Anyway, 0-0 tie means the Fire earn their first point of the season, without a single goal scored. It’s about time this is addressed.

Sean Johnson, the Fire’s goalkeeper, got called up for National duty, which means he’ll be riding the bench but getting quality practice time in. Paolo Tornaghi will be starting for SeanJohn.

Fire players to know:
Daniel Paladini. He’s a reserve midfielder who I compare to the late Bob Probert. He’s a guy who won’t hesitate to knock you on your ass if you need it.

KANNNNNNN

2013-03-19T13:47:11-06:00

The fire have signed Alec Kann to be their goalie.

Kann spent the 2012 season with the Charleston Battery. He played four years at Furman University, where he was 37-16-10 with 18 shutouts.

“We’re pleased to add Alec to our roster,” Fire President of Soccer Operations Javier Leon said in a statement. “We had the opportunity to observe Alec’s game for the past two seasons and he is a solid addition to our goalkeeping corps.”

In Which Nick Barks At The Moon

2013-03-13T13:28:59-06:00

Be there.

Fire lose opener vs LA Galaxy

2013-03-05T22:39:23-06:00

I flew out to LA to watch the Fire play. First time at the Home Depot Center (to be renamed to the Stubhub Center over the summer). The Fire lost 4-0. I don’t even know what the hell happened. Seriously. :(

Match Fixing in Soccer

2013-02-07T10:15:13-06:00

Link

Gamblers own every sport.

We are the suckers.

A good reason why I could care less about Peter Rose.

Or those fucking Black Sox.

Best decisions ever by baseball commissioners.

What’s up with the Fire, January edition

2013-01-23T15:35:58-06:00

It’s less than 45 days until the MLS season kicks off, and the Fire is down in Florida doing training.

Who’s movin’ on?
Pavel Pardo, the poor man’s Blanco, is retiring, paving the way for the Fire to hire another famous Mexican National player in the twilight of their career in the near future. Don’t be surprised if F Dominic Oduro, fan favorite and Ghanan national, is going to another team.

And Julian Posada, the team’s President, is leaving for greener pastures.

New players:
The Fire picked up Brazilian Maicon Santos in the reentry draft, but the big international signing is Joel Lindpere from the evil NY Red Bulls. The Estonian is pumped to come to Chicago, where he can see how badly NY sucks compared to us. Also, the Fire picked up Jeff Larentowicz, who was considered a dirty sonofabitch in his time with New England and Colorado. That will be interesting to see how fans react to him.

Other news:
Sean Johnson, the young GK (hard to believe he’s only 24), has done time with a few EPL teams and training in order to get ready for the season. In a way, you don’t know how to take this because Johnson has the physical skills to become a killer GK in Europe but his mental lapses drive you nuts.

Also, Fire’s rookie Austin Berry won Rookie of the Year in 2012. His second season should be pretty epic.