The Lantern: A Chicago Soccer Newsletter
@lanternsoccer.bsky.social
Run by former Hot Time editor
@rubentisch. Your home for Chicago Fire previews analysis and the Hot Cast
Profile Photo by Photo by William Luiz on Unsplash
@rubentisch. Your home for Chicago Fire previews analysis and the Hot Cast
Profile Photo by Photo by William Luiz on Unsplash
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Here's an updated depth chart for the start of the season. Call it a preview of the season preview. #cf97
Okay everyone. Today's the day. I'm shutting down the Patreon and planning to go dormant on this account for a while. You can follow me over at @rubentisch.bsky.social for more nonsense.
November 11, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Okay everyone. Today's the day. I'm shutting down the Patreon and planning to go dormant on this account for a while. You can follow me over at @rubentisch.bsky.social for more nonsense.
This tells me 2 things about the 2026 #cf97 roster
1) They're not using the purchise option on Rominigue Kouame
2)Kellyn Acosta's days as an impact player are doneski.
1) They're not using the purchise option on Rominigue Kouame
2)Kellyn Acosta's days as an impact player are doneski.
Sources: Chicago Fire finalizing deal to sign central midfielder Anton Salétros from AIK. Deal would be for January.
Salétros, 29, has made 229 apps for AIK.
Salétros, 29, has made 229 apps for AIK.
November 4, 2025 at 4:18 AM
This tells me 2 things about the 2026 #cf97 roster
1) They're not using the purchise option on Rominigue Kouame
2)Kellyn Acosta's days as an impact player are doneski.
1) They're not using the purchise option on Rominigue Kouame
2)Kellyn Acosta's days as an impact player are doneski.
Reposted by The Lantern: A Chicago Soccer Newsletter
This was my first 🔥 match, got tickets close to the supporters to be near what looked to be a great energy at the ORL game. That was the most hateful, negative supporters section I’ve ever seen in person & can’t say I’d look to make the 6+ hour investment coming from MKE to do it again. Just gross.
November 2, 2025 at 2:15 AM
This was my first 🔥 match, got tickets close to the supporters to be near what looked to be a great energy at the ORL game. That was the most hateful, negative supporters section I’ve ever seen in person & can’t say I’d look to make the 6+ hour investment coming from MKE to do it again. Just gross.
The toxic portion of the Fire fanbase has been coasting under the surface for so long because the team has been so bad. But it's beyond time for a reckoning.
November 2, 2025 at 1:10 AM
The toxic portion of the Fire fanbase has been coasting under the surface for so long because the team has been so bad. But it's beyond time for a reckoning.
Reposted by The Lantern: A Chicago Soccer Newsletter
A salute to the Fire fan I just walked by wearing a proper Peter Nowak kit.
November 2, 2025 at 12:50 AM
A salute to the Fire fan I just walked by wearing a proper Peter Nowak kit.
As for on the field, The Fire had a clear ceiling this season. They were not a top team in MLS in 2025 while also being both good and entertaining.
They were always going to lose this series, be it in two games or, three. To think otherwise is delusional.
They were always going to lose this series, be it in two games or, three. To think otherwise is delusional.
November 2, 2025 at 12:47 AM
As for on the field, The Fire had a clear ceiling this season. They were not a top team in MLS in 2025 while also being both good and entertaining.
They were always going to lose this series, be it in two games or, three. To think otherwise is delusional.
They were always going to lose this series, be it in two games or, three. To think otherwise is delusional.
I am truly disgusted with some of the things I'm seeing on the Fire reddit. Section 8 needs to take a hard look at themselves.
November 2, 2025 at 12:35 AM
I am truly disgusted with some of the things I'm seeing on the Fire reddit. Section 8 needs to take a hard look at themselves.
Good response from thr club imo.
November 2, 2025 at 12:14 AM
Good response from thr club imo.
Reposted by The Lantern: A Chicago Soccer Newsletter
Reposted by The Lantern: A Chicago Soccer Newsletter
And this also put event staff in a horrible spot too...as they are usually way understaffed and poorly trained by Monterrey
November 2, 2025 at 12:05 AM
And this also put event staff in a horrible spot too...as they are usually way understaffed and poorly trained by Monterrey
Reposted by The Lantern: A Chicago Soccer Newsletter
This is on the event staff. You can't and don't want other attendees having to police other's actions.
November 1, 2025 at 11:41 PM
This is on the event staff. You can't and don't want other attendees having to police other's actions.
Reposted by The Lantern: A Chicago Soccer Newsletter
Most embarrassed I have been of #cf97 fan base in my life. Booing our goalie every time he touched the ball. Perpetuating the chant after warnings, game stoppages, etc.
November 1, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Most embarrassed I have been of #cf97 fan base in my life. Booing our goalie every time he touched the ball. Perpetuating the chant after warnings, game stoppages, etc.
That was a fucking disgrace. And I dont mean the performance. The Fire were outclassed and were always outclassed.
The behavior by the fan base was the disgrace. Shut the fuxk up. Seriously. #cf97
The behavior by the fan base was the disgrace. Shut the fuxk up. Seriously. #cf97
November 1, 2025 at 11:41 PM
That was a fucking disgrace. And I dont mean the performance. The Fire were outclassed and were always outclassed.
The behavior by the fan base was the disgrace. Shut the fuxk up. Seriously. #cf97
The behavior by the fan base was the disgrace. Shut the fuxk up. Seriously. #cf97
Reposted by The Lantern: A Chicago Soccer Newsletter
We have had, including stoppages, 5 warnings about the 'chant' tonight and it's continued only louder
Either you have a policy or you don't, @mls.bsky.social #cf97 #vamosfire #mls
Either you have a policy or you don't, @mls.bsky.social #cf97 #vamosfire #mls
November 1, 2025 at 11:37 PM
We have had, including stoppages, 5 warnings about the 'chant' tonight and it's continued only louder
Either you have a policy or you don't, @mls.bsky.social #cf97 #vamosfire #mls
Either you have a policy or you don't, @mls.bsky.social #cf97 #vamosfire #mls
You can say its not Section 8 or Sector Latino all you want. But they need to police it better and start iding people close to or are not regulars. And MLS needs to do something too. Though its above my paygrade as to what.
November 1, 2025 at 11:34 PM
You can say its not Section 8 or Sector Latino all you want. But they need to police it better and start iding people close to or are not regulars. And MLS needs to do something too. Though its above my paygrade as to what.
Reposted by The Lantern: A Chicago Soccer Newsletter
And the game has been suspended in Bridgeview with Gregg Berhalter personally going over to talk to fans.
Just shameful behavior from fans behind Andre Blake's goal.
#cf97 #VamosFire
Just shameful behavior from fans behind Andre Blake's goal.
#cf97 #VamosFire
November 1, 2025 at 11:26 PM
And the game has been suspended in Bridgeview with Gregg Berhalter personally going over to talk to fans.
Just shameful behavior from fans behind Andre Blake's goal.
#cf97 #VamosFire
Just shameful behavior from fans behind Andre Blake's goal.
#cf97 #VamosFire
Reposted by The Lantern: A Chicago Soccer Newsletter
78' The Referee has stopped the game due to the 'chant' persisting, after 3 previous warning
Gregg Berhalter is now walking over to the fans himself #cf97 #vamosfire #mls-live
Gregg Berhalter is now walking over to the fans himself #cf97 #vamosfire #mls-live
November 1, 2025 at 11:24 PM
78' The Referee has stopped the game due to the 'chant' persisting, after 3 previous warning
Gregg Berhalter is now walking over to the fans himself #cf97 #vamosfire #mls-live
Gregg Berhalter is now walking over to the fans himself #cf97 #vamosfire #mls-live
Stop with the PA announcements and just suspend the match. This is disgraceful.
November 1, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Stop with the PA announcements and just suspend the match. This is disgraceful.
One of the best things about having a shit ass soccer team is that we didn't have to deal with this bullshit.
November 1, 2025 at 11:16 PM
One of the best things about having a shit ass soccer team is that we didn't have to deal with this bullshit.
I am begging for a matxh suspension.
November 1, 2025 at 11:15 PM
I am begging for a matxh suspension.
Reposted by The Lantern: A Chicago Soccer Newsletter
The slurs do be ruining this more then the Fire's performance, imo
November 1, 2025 at 11:03 PM
The slurs do be ruining this more then the Fire's performance, imo
Reposted by The Lantern: A Chicago Soccer Newsletter
Get to front of long concession line where they sell hot dogs, tenders, popcorn and French fries.
“We are out of hot dogs, tenders and popcorn!”
My wife: What *is* this place?!
What an experience at SeatGeek. Won’t be bringing family back to a game until 2028 🤣
“We are out of hot dogs, tenders and popcorn!”
My wife: What *is* this place?!
What an experience at SeatGeek. Won’t be bringing family back to a game until 2028 🤣
Once again unacceptable operations by Bridgeview for the Fire playoff game. Parking a disaster — my family and I are boxed into a lot now with only one exit — and lines to get intl stadium at kickoff are a mess.
November 1, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Get to front of long concession line where they sell hot dogs, tenders, popcorn and French fries.
“We are out of hot dogs, tenders and popcorn!”
My wife: What *is* this place?!
What an experience at SeatGeek. Won’t be bringing family back to a game until 2028 🤣
“We are out of hot dogs, tenders and popcorn!”
My wife: What *is* this place?!
What an experience at SeatGeek. Won’t be bringing family back to a game until 2028 🤣
Im blaming this performance on the multiple cybertrucks in the parking lot.
November 1, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Im blaming this performance on the multiple cybertrucks in the parking lot.