Tim Hotze
@thotze.bsky.social
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.
This more or less sums it up.
DEFEND THE HOMELAND
January 2, 2026 at 11:36 PM
This more or less sums it up.
This is terrible. For Riqui, for the Galaxy and honestly for the league.
Really feel for the guy.
Really feel for the guy.
BREAKING: LA Galaxy star Riqui Puig will undergo knee surgery and his status for 2026 is in question, per sources.
Same knee from torn ACL at end of 2024 which kept him out all of 2025.
Brutal, brutal news for one of the league's best players. www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...
Same knee from torn ACL at end of 2024 which kept him out all of 2025.
Brutal, brutal news for one of the league's best players. www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...
LA Galaxy's Puig set for knee surgery
www.nytimes.com
January 2, 2026 at 8:22 PM
This is terrible. For Riqui, for the Galaxy and honestly for the league.
Really feel for the guy.
Really feel for the guy.
🚨🚨THERE IS ONCE AGAIN A LITERARY, MARXIST-INFLUENCED COACH IN #mls !🚨🚨
Please, Henrik Rydström, just give us fun quotes like Vanni Sartini did. PLEASE.
Please, Henrik Rydström, just give us fun quotes like Vanni Sartini did. PLEASE.
January 2, 2026 at 6:02 PM
🚨🚨THERE IS ONCE AGAIN A LITERARY, MARXIST-INFLUENCED COACH IN #mls !🚨🚨
Please, Henrik Rydström, just give us fun quotes like Vanni Sartini did. PLEASE.
Please, Henrik Rydström, just give us fun quotes like Vanni Sartini did. PLEASE.
January 2, 2026 at 3:52 PM
The Bears maybe finding a location for a stadium makes the list..... But the Chicago Fire about to get shovels in the ground on their new, privately financed stadium in the city doesn't?
#cf97 #VamosFire
#cf97 #VamosFire
A number of big projects are expected to wrap up this year with others kicking off — and maybe the Bears will find a stadium site?
From the Obama Center to Google's Chicago headquarters, here's what's happening architecturally in 2026
chicago.suntimes.com
January 1, 2026 at 4:48 PM
The Bears maybe finding a location for a stadium makes the list..... But the Chicago Fire about to get shovels in the ground on their new, privately financed stadium in the city doesn't?
#cf97 #VamosFire
#cf97 #VamosFire
From a time zone away, this step actually looks like it may have been one of the trickiest hurdles the Revs needed to clear for a home of their own
The Revolution are a step closer to having a stadium of their own
The Kraft Group Reaches Agreement With Everett and Boston for Potential Soccer-Specific Stadium in Everett
The Revs could finally have a home of their own
open.substack.com
December 31, 2025 at 7:26 PM
From a time zone away, this step actually looks like it may have been one of the trickiest hurdles the Revs needed to clear for a home of their own
Amazing.
December 31, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Amazing.
And there goes the #cf97 homegrown whose game-winning goal against Inter Miami sent the Fire into the playoffs for the first time since 2017.
(Also departed: Fellow homegrown Brian Gutiérrez who added some insurance 3 min later, capping the 5-3 victory)
(Also departed: Fellow homegrown Brian Gutiérrez who added some insurance 3 min later, capping the 5-3 victory)
🔥🚨 The Chicago Fire have traded Justin Reynolds to Sporting Kansas City.
Reynolds was the first homegrown player born in the city of Chicago to score for the Fire.
meninred97.com/justin-reyno...
#cf97 #vamosfire
Reynolds was the first homegrown player born in the city of Chicago to score for the Fire.
meninred97.com/justin-reyno...
#cf97 #vamosfire
Justin Reynolds Traded to SKC - MIR97 Media
Chicago Fire homegrown defender Justin Reynolds has been traded to Sporting Kansas City, the clubs announced this afternoon. In exchange, the Fire received a third round SuperDraft pick in 2028 and up...
meninred97.com
December 31, 2025 at 12:51 AM
And there goes the #cf97 homegrown whose game-winning goal against Inter Miami sent the Fire into the playoffs for the first time since 2017.
(Also departed: Fellow homegrown Brian Gutiérrez who added some insurance 3 min later, capping the 5-3 victory)
(Also departed: Fellow homegrown Brian Gutiérrez who added some insurance 3 min later, capping the 5-3 victory)
Per ESPN, #BafanaBafana coach Hugo Broos once again said "Chicago is not the right place" for Mbekezeli Mbokazi, comparing the young CB to Vincent Kompany, who he also coached.
He says Mbokazi belongs in Europe, not MLS.
africa.espn.com/espn/story/_...
#cf97 #VamosFire
He says Mbokazi belongs in Europe, not MLS.
africa.espn.com/espn/story/_...
#cf97 #VamosFire
Broos reiterates dislike of MLS for Kompany-esque Mbokazi
Hugo Broos has again criticised Mbekezeli Mbokazi's move to Chicago Fire, urging him to move to Europe and follow in the footsteps of Vincent Kompany, another player he coached at a young age.
africa.espn.com
December 30, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Per ESPN, #BafanaBafana coach Hugo Broos once again said "Chicago is not the right place" for Mbekezeli Mbokazi, comparing the young CB to Vincent Kompany, who he also coached.
He says Mbokazi belongs in Europe, not MLS.
africa.espn.com/espn/story/_...
#cf97 #VamosFire
He says Mbokazi belongs in Europe, not MLS.
africa.espn.com/espn/story/_...
#cf97 #VamosFire
Mbokazi, the new Chicago Fire U22 center back goes the distance as #BafanaBafana win their final group game for the first time in the 20-year-old's lifetime.
Round of 16 is next.
#cf97 #VamosFire
Round of 16 is next.
#cf97 #VamosFire
December 29, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Mbokazi, the new Chicago Fire U22 center back goes the distance as #BafanaBafana win their final group game for the first time in the 20-year-old's lifetime.
Round of 16 is next.
#cf97 #VamosFire
Round of 16 is next.
#cf97 #VamosFire
This Wilfred Nancy meme actually had me LOLing
Well played, whoever this person is.
Well played, whoever this person is.
December 28, 2025 at 12:01 AM
This Wilfred Nancy meme actually had me LOLing
Well played, whoever this person is.
Well played, whoever this person is.
Immediately, what Lod brings to #cf97 is the ability to convincingly play out of a 4-3-3 while Franco is injured.
Long term, he adds a versatile, flexible midfielder who really helped Minnesota paper over the loss of Emmanuel Reynoso when.... that all happened.
Long term, he adds a versatile, flexible midfielder who really helped Minnesota paper over the loss of Emmanuel Reynoso when.... that all happened.
December 27, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Immediately, what Lod brings to #cf97 is the ability to convincingly play out of a 4-3-3 while Franco is injured.
Long term, he adds a versatile, flexible midfielder who really helped Minnesota paper over the loss of Emmanuel Reynoso when.... that all happened.
Long term, he adds a versatile, flexible midfielder who really helped Minnesota paper over the loss of Emmanuel Reynoso when.... that all happened.
Looking forward to seeing commentary about how this is a disaster for Nancy because Celtic let Livingston go ahead twice
December 27, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Looking forward to seeing commentary about how this is a disaster for Nancy because Celtic let Livingston go ahead twice
This is deliciously petty art from the Chicago Fire
🗣️ Because maybeeeeeee
Robin is in Chicago babyyyyyyy
And after alllllll
We signed Robin Lodddddddd 🗣️
We have acquired Finland National Team midfielder Robin Lod as a free agent. #cf97
Robin is in Chicago babyyyyyyy
And after alllllll
We signed Robin Lodddddddd 🗣️
We have acquired Finland National Team midfielder Robin Lod as a free agent. #cf97
December 26, 2025 at 8:45 PM
This is deliciously petty art from the Chicago Fire
Lod was one of the top free agents on the board in #MLS.
Gives #cf97 a versatile midfielder – and a totally full roster.
Any more adds will need to be balanced by departures.
#cf97 #VamosFire
Gives #cf97 a versatile midfielder – and a totally full roster.
Any more adds will need to be balanced by departures.
#cf97 #VamosFire
December 26, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Lod was one of the top free agents on the board in #MLS.
Gives #cf97 a versatile midfielder – and a totally full roster.
Any more adds will need to be balanced by departures.
#cf97 #VamosFire
Gives #cf97 a versatile midfielder – and a totally full roster.
Any more adds will need to be balanced by departures.
#cf97 #VamosFire
December 23, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Actions speak louder than words, #WithTheStars
December 22, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Actions speak louder than words, #WithTheStars
MBOKAZI WITH AN ABSOLUTE RIFLE SHOT FROM DISTANCE.
The cross bar is all that kept the new #cf97 center back from opening his tally with Bafana Bafana
The cross bar is all that kept the new #cf97 center back from opening his tally with Bafana Bafana
December 22, 2025 at 6:44 PM
MBOKAZI WITH AN ABSOLUTE RIFLE SHOT FROM DISTANCE.
The cross bar is all that kept the new #cf97 center back from opening his tally with Bafana Bafana
The cross bar is all that kept the new #cf97 center back from opening his tally with Bafana Bafana
December 22, 2025 at 6:27 PM
MBOKAZI WITH AN ABSOLUTE RIFLE SHOT FROM DISTANCE.
The cross bar is all that kept the new #cf97 center back from opening his tally with Bafana Bafana
The cross bar is all that kept the new #cf97 center back from opening his tally with Bafana Bafana
Anyone in 🇺🇸 wanting to see #cf97's Mbekezeli Mbokazi start for South Africa in AFCON:
BeIn Sports has it on PPV for $6.99 — Arabic commentary only for this one
watch.beinsports-apps.com/packages/wat...
BeIn Sports has it on PPV for $6.99 — Arabic commentary only for this one
watch.beinsports-apps.com/packages/wat...
South Africa vs Angola - Africa Cup Nations 2025 in Arabic (PPV) - beIN SPORTS CONNECT
12/22 | 11:50 AM ET
Pay-Per-View - Africa Cup Nations (AFCON) 2025
South Africa vs Angola (Match 4)
(Arabic Audio)
watch.beinsports-apps.com
December 22, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Anyone in 🇺🇸 wanting to see #cf97's Mbekezeli Mbokazi start for South Africa in AFCON:
BeIn Sports has it on PPV for $6.99 — Arabic commentary only for this one
watch.beinsports-apps.com/packages/wat...
BeIn Sports has it on PPV for $6.99 — Arabic commentary only for this one
watch.beinsports-apps.com/packages/wat...
Country with a vibrant media landscape during totally normal political times, I'm sure.
December 22, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Country with a vibrant media landscape during totally normal political times, I'm sure.
Nancyball shows up for 90 minutes.
But try explaining xG to the people that've been calling for his head for 2 weeks now.
But try explaining xG to the people that've been calling for his head for 2 weeks now.
As someone who wants Wilfried Nancy back in MLS, I am extremely disappointed.
December 21, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Nancyball shows up for 90 minutes.
But try explaining xG to the people that've been calling for his head for 2 weeks now.
But try explaining xG to the people that've been calling for his head for 2 weeks now.
Reposted by Tim Hotze
We know that World Cup ticket prices are way up on past years. But a new @us.theguardian.com analysis of current prices + past World Cups shows exactly where and how those increases are being felt most. Via @jeffrueter.bsky.social + Andrew Witherspoon: www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Analysis: how prices for the cheapest World Cup tickets have rocketed
A Guardian study of past ticket prices for the men’s World Cup, compared with current 2026 figures, shows how the barrier for entry has been raised for most fans
www.theguardian.com
December 18, 2025 at 2:33 PM
We know that World Cup ticket prices are way up on past years. But a new @us.theguardian.com analysis of current prices + past World Cups shows exactly where and how those increases are being felt most. Via @jeffrueter.bsky.social + Andrew Witherspoon: www.theguardian.com/football/202...
This is just so MLS.
City named a street after him less than a month ago LMFAO.
December 17, 2025 at 11:14 PM
This is just so MLS.