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.
Chicago Fire mentioned!
will have video but Bryce Wargin here made the first pick of the MLS category and noted he had to as a fan of @chicagofire.bsky.social
January 22, 2026 at 1:22 AM
Chicago Fire mentioned!
Chicago Fire confirm via social media Mbokazi has arrived with the team for preseason.
(I will note that this video was taken in South Florida. Gregg Berhalter may have lived in the Midwest for decades, but he's not enough of a native to wear shorts out and about in January.)
#cf97 #VamosFire
(I will note that this video was taken in South Florida. Gregg Berhalter may have lived in the Midwest for decades, but he's not enough of a native to wear shorts out and about in January.)
#cf97 #VamosFire
January 21, 2026 at 9:42 PM
Chicago Fire confirm via social media Mbokazi has arrived with the team for preseason.
(I will note that this video was taken in South Florida. Gregg Berhalter may have lived in the Midwest for decades, but he's not enough of a native to wear shorts out and about in January.)
#cf97 #VamosFire
(I will note that this video was taken in South Florida. Gregg Berhalter may have lived in the Midwest for decades, but he's not enough of a native to wear shorts out and about in January.)
#cf97 #VamosFire
Boys II Men In Red are back!
The @chicagofire.bsky.social II's 2026 MLS Next Pro regular season begins Feb 27 against Inter Miami II in Florida.
Graphic: Chicago Fire FC
#cf97 #VamosFire
The @chicagofire.bsky.social II's 2026 MLS Next Pro regular season begins Feb 27 against Inter Miami II in Florida.
Graphic: Chicago Fire FC
#cf97 #VamosFire
January 21, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Boys II Men In Red are back!
The @chicagofire.bsky.social II's 2026 MLS Next Pro regular season begins Feb 27 against Inter Miami II in Florida.
Graphic: Chicago Fire FC
#cf97 #VamosFire
The @chicagofire.bsky.social II's 2026 MLS Next Pro regular season begins Feb 27 against Inter Miami II in Florida.
Graphic: Chicago Fire FC
#cf97 #VamosFire
Chicago Fire have kids over $5m in GAM - relatively full coffers for a full roster, even as we're seeing inflation hit the fake-money salary cap tool.
More on this later today @meninred97.com
#cf97 #VamosFire
More on this later today @meninred97.com
#cf97 #VamosFire
January 21, 2026 at 4:33 PM
Chicago Fire have kids over $5m in GAM - relatively full coffers for a full roster, even as we're seeing inflation hit the fake-money salary cap tool.
More on this later today @meninred97.com
#cf97 #VamosFire
More on this later today @meninred97.com
#cf97 #VamosFire
Absolutely stunning. And @rabbimarkasherg.bsky.social is right - @paultenorio.bsky.social put together a real must-read here
Incredible journalism. Among @paultenorio.bsky.social ‘s best. Must read.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
The extraordinary story of a soccer coach, a kidnapping and a Saudi job that didn’t exist
Adrian Heath was duped into thinking he was on the verge of a new job – only to be held at knifepoint in Morocco. Turns out he's not alone
www.nytimes.com
January 21, 2026 at 1:17 PM
Absolutely stunning. And @rabbimarkasherg.bsky.social is right - @paultenorio.bsky.social put together a real must-read here
Very much want to second all of this.
Very, very, VERY thankful for the folks at @americansocceranalysis.com today. As well as the folks that create wonderful platforms upon which to consume their data in meaningful ways like @catabush.com and @paulharvey.theoutfield.nyc
January 21, 2026 at 4:11 AM
Very much want to second all of this.
FBRef was one of the most accessible places for lay people and journalists to get access to advanced statistics, ESPECIALLY across leagues.
In North America, also comes on the heels of major retrenchment from MLS on providing data publicly.
Major loss for covering the sport.
In North America, also comes on the heels of major retrenchment from MLS on providing data publicly.
Major loss for covering the sport.
January 20, 2026 at 10:53 PM
FBRef was one of the most accessible places for lay people and journalists to get access to advanced statistics, ESPECIALLY across leagues.
In North America, also comes on the heels of major retrenchment from MLS on providing data publicly.
Major loss for covering the sport.
In North America, also comes on the heels of major retrenchment from MLS on providing data publicly.
Major loss for covering the sport.
This is such an expensive bit for Austin to be committing to.
Funny. But expensive.
Funny. But expensive.
🇺🇾 Sources: Austin FC will sign Facundo Torres from Palmeiras. Deal done pending visas.
$9.5m fee. New DP winger for Austin. Huge signing
$9.5m fee. New DP winger for Austin. Huge signing
🇺🇾🟢 BREAKING: Austin FC is nearing a deal to sign Uruguay international winger Facundo Torres from Palmeiras, per sources.
Deal around $9.5m. Not done yet but close. Would be big signing.
Torres, 25, had 10g/6a in 3,336 mins for Palmeiras this season. www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...
Deal around $9.5m. Not done yet but close. Would be big signing.
Torres, 25, had 10g/6a in 3,336 mins for Palmeiras this season. www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...
January 20, 2026 at 8:35 PM
This is such an expensive bit for Austin to be committing to.
Funny. But expensive.
Funny. But expensive.
The Chicago Fire's first game for #cf97 ends in a 3-1 win against a Nashville team that I'd probably put at second best in the East – and the team most likely to rain on any parades Miami may have planned.
Doesn't count, preseason, etc., but.... hard to take this any way but as a positive
Doesn't count, preseason, etc., but.... hard to take this any way but as a positive
Anton Salétros makes his #cf97 debut and Chris Mueller makes a welcome return to the Starting XI after a very rough 2025.
#cf97 #VamosFire
Image:
@chicagofire.bsky.social
#cf97 #VamosFire
Image:
@chicagofire.bsky.social
January 20, 2026 at 6:27 PM
The Chicago Fire's first game for #cf97 ends in a 3-1 win against a Nashville team that I'd probably put at second best in the East – and the team most likely to rain on any parades Miami may have planned.
Doesn't count, preseason, etc., but.... hard to take this any way but as a positive
Doesn't count, preseason, etc., but.... hard to take this any way but as a positive
David Poreba scores the first goal for #cf97 in 2026?
Hmm.
www.meninred97.com/5-things-wer...
#cf97 #VamosFire
Hmm.
www.meninred97.com/5-things-wer...
#cf97 #VamosFire
January 20, 2026 at 4:19 PM
David Poreba scores the first goal for #cf97 in 2026?
Hmm.
www.meninred97.com/5-things-wer...
#cf97 #VamosFire
Hmm.
www.meninred97.com/5-things-wer...
#cf97 #VamosFire
Anton Salétros makes his #cf97 debut and Chris Mueller makes a welcome return to the Starting XI after a very rough 2025.
#cf97 #VamosFire
Image:
@chicagofire.bsky.social
#cf97 #VamosFire
Image:
@chicagofire.bsky.social
January 20, 2026 at 3:51 PM
Anton Salétros makes his #cf97 debut and Chris Mueller makes a welcome return to the Starting XI after a very rough 2025.
#cf97 #VamosFire
Image:
@chicagofire.bsky.social
#cf97 #VamosFire
Image:
@chicagofire.bsky.social
Gregg agreeing to kick things off with a match against Nashville, a team coached by a friend that had #cf97 's number last season?
Yeah I don't think he's got any interest in taking 2026 on "easy" mode.
Yeah I don't think he's got any interest in taking 2026 on "easy" mode.
The Chicago Fire are back in action today as they take on Nashville SC in their first match of 2026.
Here's 5 Things we're looking for as the team gets back at it
www.meninred97.com/5-things-wer...
#cf97 #VamosFire
Here's 5 Things we're looking for as the team gets back at it
www.meninred97.com/5-things-wer...
#cf97 #VamosFire
5 Things We’re Looking for from the Fire In Preseason
The Chicago Fire's preseason is about to kick off – here's what we're looking for from the first minutes for the Men In Red in 2026.
www.meninred97.com
January 20, 2026 at 2:49 PM
Gregg agreeing to kick things off with a match against Nashville, a team coached by a friend that had #cf97 's number last season?
Yeah I don't think he's got any interest in taking 2026 on "easy" mode.
Yeah I don't think he's got any interest in taking 2026 on "easy" mode.
@alvanderp.bsky.social is an absolute fount of knowledge and it was fantastic talking not how SKC is rebuilding the club post-Peter Vermes along with division rivalries and more.
Listen (or watch!)
Listen (or watch!)
🔥NEW BONFIRE🔥
The guys talk Dithejane, Kellyn’s departure & are joined by @alvanderp.bsky.social of the Home and Away pod to talk SKC & a new era for a future division rival
Listen wherever you get pods & now watch full video on YT!
www.meninred97.com/the-bonfire-...
#cf97 #vamosfire #SportingKC
The guys talk Dithejane, Kellyn’s departure & are joined by @alvanderp.bsky.social of the Home and Away pod to talk SKC & a new era for a future division rival
Listen wherever you get pods & now watch full video on YT!
www.meninred97.com/the-bonfire-...
#cf97 #vamosfire #SportingKC
The Bonfire – Episode 402: The Men In Red Go To Florida
Tim and John talk Fire about Puso Dithejane's arrival, Kellyn Acosta's departure and SKC moves with Drew VanderPloeg from Home & Away.
www.meninred97.com
January 19, 2026 at 4:04 PM
@alvanderp.bsky.social is an absolute fount of knowledge and it was fantastic talking not how SKC is rebuilding the club post-Peter Vermes along with division rivalries and more.
Listen (or watch!)
Listen (or watch!)
There are too many things Martin Luther King Jr. said that feel more relevant today than the day he said them, but one that's sticking with me today is this:
"Never forget that everything Hitler did in Germany was legal."
"Never forget that everything Hitler did in Germany was legal."
January 19, 2026 at 3:49 PM
There are too many things Martin Luther King Jr. said that feel more relevant today than the day he said them, but one that's sticking with me today is this:
"Never forget that everything Hitler did in Germany was legal."
"Never forget that everything Hitler did in Germany was legal."
I gotta tell ya though that was one helluva sophomore slump from Caleb Williams.
Chicago Fire play at Soldier Field 48 days from now.
Chicago Fire play at Soldier Field 48 days from now.
January 19, 2026 at 3:07 AM
I gotta tell ya though that was one helluva sophomore slump from Caleb Williams.
Chicago Fire play at Soldier Field 48 days from now.
Chicago Fire play at Soldier Field 48 days from now.
C'mon Pope don't stop working now
January 19, 2026 at 3:00 AM
C'mon Pope don't stop working now
Reposted by Tim Hotze
Caleb Williams is a DAMN WIZARD
You can't script this
You can't script this
January 19, 2026 at 2:37 AM
Caleb Williams is a DAMN WIZARD
You can't script this
You can't script this
Mallouk is now one of the wealthiest owners in MLS and is a generation younger than almost all of those with more money than him.
Has the real potential to make #SportingKC one of the forces pushing #mls forward again.
Has the real potential to make #SportingKC one of the forces pushing #mls forward again.
OnGoal — Neal Patterson, Cliff Illig, Pat Curran, Greg Maday and Robb Heineman — bought the then-Wizards from Lamar Hunt in 2006.
Sporting Kansas City owners sell majority stake in team. Here are the details
OnGoal — Neal Patterson, Cliff Illig, Pat Curran, Greg Maday and Robb Heineman — bought the then-Wizards from Lamar Hunt in 2006.
bit.ly
January 17, 2026 at 4:07 AM
Mallouk is now one of the wealthiest owners in MLS and is a generation younger than almost all of those with more money than him.
Has the real potential to make #SportingKC one of the forces pushing #mls forward again.
Has the real potential to make #SportingKC one of the forces pushing #mls forward again.
Wow, hard against the cap and Bush still isn't addressed an obvious need at "dinner plans"
Really wonder what the front office is cooking up over there.
Really wonder what the front office is cooking up over there.
PRESS RELEASE:
SALEM, OR. - Catalina Bush today announced that she has acquired a 16oz peppermint white chocolate mocha from the café in exchange for $5.74 in 2026 GAM. Also included in the trade was an extra shot of espresso.
The transaction leaves her with no remaining allocation funds.
SALEM, OR. - Catalina Bush today announced that she has acquired a 16oz peppermint white chocolate mocha from the café in exchange for $5.74 in 2026 GAM. Also included in the trade was an extra shot of espresso.
The transaction leaves her with no remaining allocation funds.
January 16, 2026 at 10:47 PM
Wow, hard against the cap and Bush still isn't addressed an obvious need at "dinner plans"
Really wonder what the front office is cooking up over there.
Really wonder what the front office is cooking up over there.
TS Galaxy, the origin club for new Chicago Fire player Puso Dithejane is on the FIFA banned list for payment disputes.
Doesn't prevent Dithejane from joining #cf97 but prevents his fmr 🇿🇦 club from registering new players
#VamosFire
knowledge.fifa.com/registration...
Doesn't prevent Dithejane from joining #cf97 but prevents his fmr 🇿🇦 club from registering new players
#VamosFire
knowledge.fifa.com/registration...
January 15, 2026 at 9:21 PM
TS Galaxy, the origin club for new Chicago Fire player Puso Dithejane is on the FIFA banned list for payment disputes.
Doesn't prevent Dithejane from joining #cf97 but prevents his fmr 🇿🇦 club from registering new players
#VamosFire
knowledge.fifa.com/registration...
Doesn't prevent Dithejane from joining #cf97 but prevents his fmr 🇿🇦 club from registering new players
#VamosFire
knowledge.fifa.com/registration...
What. a. world.
A woke golf influencer has hit the Reels feed. I repeat, a woke golf influencer has hit the Reels feed!
January 15, 2026 at 8:10 PM
What. a. world.
I'm tempted to mark any posts that feature the roster tracker as "graphic content" because in a technical, broad sense it's true and anything that goes that deep into #mls roster rules could really harm young, impressionable minds.
The Chicago Fire have continued to make moves
We break it all down for you with our updated depth chart and roster tracker as we take a look at the status of the squad
www.meninred97.com/recent-moves...
#cf97 #VamosFire
We break it all down for you with our updated depth chart and roster tracker as we take a look at the status of the squad
www.meninred97.com/recent-moves...
#cf97 #VamosFire
Updates to Fire Roster, Depth Chart – and What's To Come
Updated depth chart and roster tracker for the Chicago Fire as they prepare for the 2026 season
www.meninred97.com
January 15, 2026 at 6:38 PM
I'm tempted to mark any posts that feature the roster tracker as "graphic content" because in a technical, broad sense it's true and anything that goes that deep into #mls roster rules could really harm young, impressionable minds.