Alex Calabrese
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amcalabrese.bsky.social
Alex Calabrese
@amcalabrese.bsky.social
🇺🇸🇩🇪🇮🇹 / Newhouse ‘26 / Editor-in-Chief, @meninred97.com
🔥🚨 Excl: Jason Nemo signs with Chicago Fire II.

Talented goalkeeper (b. 2010) was the starter for the U.S. at the Concacaf U-15 Championship. He has trained with the second team throughout the year.

meninred97.com/sources-jaso...

#cf97 #vamosfire
Sources: Jason Nemo Signs Chicago Fire II Deal - MIR97 Media
The Chicago Fire have signed 15-year-old goalkeeper Jason Nemo to an MLS Next Pro contract, sources told MIR97 Media. Nemo will begin with Fire II next season.
meninred97.com
November 3, 2025 at 1:31 PM
The Chicago Fire's 2,919-day wait for postseason soccer finally comes to an end tomorrow.

A look at the XI that lost 4-0 to the New York Red Bulls in 2017... just two players who saw the field for the Fire that night are still active.

meninred97.com/chicago-fire...

#cf97 #vamosfire
Chicago Fire’s Last Playoff XI: Where are they now? - MIR97 Media
In October of 2017, the Chicago Fire kicked off the MLS postseason with ambitions of claiming MLS Cup. It was a short-lived dream as the New York Red Bulls promptly ended it in 90 minutes with a 4-0 t...
meninred97.com
October 21, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Justin Reynolds wrote his name into Chicago Fire folklore with his playoff-clinching goal last night against Inter Miami.

The 21-year-old defender became the first homegrown player born in the City of Chicago to ever score for the team in MLS.

meninred97.com/justin-reyno...

#cf97 #vamosfire
Reynolds Becomes Fire's Unlikely Playoff Hero - MIR97 Media
The Chicago Fire needed a win in Miami to clinch a playoff spot last night. With 10 minutes to play and the score at 3-3, it seemed like that just wasn't going to happen. But quite possibly the single...
meninred97.com
October 1, 2025 at 12:18 PM
The Chicago Fire’s eight-year wait for playoff soccer comes to an end in the craziest way possible.

#cf97 #vamosfire
October 1, 2025 at 2:05 AM
🔥🚨 The Chicago Fire clinch a playoff berth for the first time since 2017!

meninred97.com/chicago-fire...

#cf97 #vamosfire
Chicago Fire Clinch Playoff Berth - MIR97 Media
For the first time since 2017, the Chicago Fire will play in the MLS Cup Playoffs. Tuesday's 5-3 win at Inter Miami officially secures that outcome, guaranteeing that the Fire will finish no lower tha...
meninred97.com
October 1, 2025 at 2:05 AM
Three points for the Chicago Fire over the Columbus Crew!

The magic number for playoffs is now 2... they can clinch with a win in Miami on Tuesday, and are still in the race to host the wildcard game.

A huge step closer to a first postseason berth since 2017.

#cf97 #vamosfire
September 28, 2025 at 2:49 AM
Christopher Cupps went from a 16-year-old prospect to an MLS starter almost overnight earlier this season.

Now, despite a year full of setbacks, he's emerging as Major League Soccer’s most exciting young center back. 🔥✨

meninred97.com/christopher-...

#cf97 #vamosfire #usmnt
Christopher Cupps: Chicago Fire's Present and Future - MIR97
In many ways, Christopher Cupps is like a normal 17-year-old. He walks his dog, rides his bike, goes to club soccer practice and plays his games on the weekend.
meninred97.com
September 25, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Reposted by Alex Calabrese
📰 - per @meninred97.com / @amcalabrese.bsky.social, Ventura County GK Owen Pratt is headed to Chicago Fire II.

Pratt, 17, is one of the top prospects in the LAG system but has struggled to breakthrough for VCFC.

Pratt’s new deal will upgrade to a HG deal in 2027.

meninred97.com/sources-owen...
Sources: Owen Pratt Signs with Chicago Fire - MIR97 Media
L.A. Galaxy goalkeeping prospect Owen Pratt is signing with the Chicago Fire, sources told MIR97 Media. Pratt will begin as a Chicago Fire II player and become a first team Homegrown player in 2027. P...
meninred97.com
August 27, 2025 at 11:29 PM
🔥🚨 Viktor Radojević to Chicago is a DONE DEAL. ✅

Just awaiting final clearance, but this is happening. As of right now, this will be it for Fire incomings. 🇷🇸

meninred97.com/sources-fire...

#cf97 #vamosfire
Sources: Fire Signing TSC’s Viktor Radojević - MIR97 Media
The Chicago Fire are closing in on the signing of TSC Bačka Topola left back Viktor Radojević, sources confirmed to MIR97 Media. Radojević is signing an Under-22 Initiative contract with the Fire and ...
meninred97.com
August 21, 2025 at 6:02 PM
🔥🚨 The Chicago Fire are committed to the “2+4+2” roster construction model for the rest of 2025.

Here are the latest updates on the Fire's roster with two days left in the transfer window, and what the Terán and Waterman moves mean.

meninred97.com/what-waterma...

#cf97 #vamosfire
What Waterman, Terán Deals Mean for the Fire - MIR97 Media
The Chicago Fire had their most consequential 24 hours of the transfer window so far... Here's how they played out for the Fire, and what both deals mean.
meninred97.com
August 19, 2025 at 11:19 PM
🔥🚨 Joel Waterman is on his way to the Chicago Fire, everything is agreed.

Fire trading a base of $500,000 of General Allocation Money to Montréal. They acquired an international slot from St. Louis this afternoon. 🇨🇦

meninred97.com/sources-joel...

#cf97 #vamosfire #cfmtl
Sources: Joel Waterman Traded to Chicago Fire - MIR97 Media
CF Montréal’s Joel Waterman has been traded to the Chicago Fire, sources confirmed to MIR97 Media. Maxime Truman also reported the trade earlier this morning. The Fire will part with a base of $500,00...
meninred97.com
August 19, 2025 at 11:18 PM
🔥🚨 Carlos Terán’s move to Athletico Paranaense is a done deal and was agreed last night.

Terán is on the way to Brazil. Total package in excess of $2 million US. 🇨🇴✈️

meninred97.com/sources-carl...

#cf97 #vamosfire
Sources: Carlos Terán Sold to Athletico Paranaense - MIR97 Media
Carlos Terán is on the way to Athletico Paranaense in a permanent move, sources told MIR97 Media. The Colombian's departure was heavily rumored in the Brazilian media in the last 24 hours and was comp...
meninred97.com
August 19, 2025 at 11:17 PM
🔥🚨 Carlos Terán is leaving the Chicago Fire.

Colombian center back, reportedly on the way to Athletico Paranaense, said goodbye to staff on the way out.

#cf97 #vamosfire
August 19, 2025 at 3:33 PM
🔥🚨 Excl: Diego Konincks joins Valour FC of the Canadian Premier League until the end of the season.

Fire II’s captain will also not return to Chicago when his MLS Next Pro contract expires after 2025. 🇳🇱🇨🇦

meninred97.com/sources-dieg...

#cf97 #vamosfire
Diego Konincks Leaves Chicago Fire II for CPL - MIR97 Media
Chicago Fire II captain Diego Konincks has left the club on loan for the remainder of the 2025 season. Konincks is not expected to return to Chicago....
meninred97.com
August 16, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Gregg Berhalter discussed new signing André Franco's arrival with the Chicago Fire today and says the midfielder reached out to the club earlier this summer to make the move happen. 🇵🇹👇🏻

meninred97.com/berhalter-fr...

#cf97 #vamosfire
Berhalter: Franco Initiated Fire Move - MIR97 Media
The Chicago Fire finally made the loan move for FC Porto’s André Franco, marking the biggest moment of the summer transfer window so far. The Portuguese attacking midfielder adds another dimension to ...
meninred97.com
August 15, 2025 at 12:42 AM
🔥🚨 The Chicago Fire officially announce the signing of André Franco.

Loan with option to buy, Fire are taking his full salary and he fills Chris Mueller’s roster slot/cap hit. P-1 visa is fully approved so he’s eligible to play this weekend. ✅

meninred97.com/fire-confirm...

#cf97 #vamosfire
Fire Confirm André Franco Loan Arrival - MIR97 Media
The Chicago Fire confirmed the arrival of 27-year-old midfielder André Franco on a short-term loan from FC Porto until the end of the MLS season this morning. The deal was completed in recent days but...
meninred97.com
August 13, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Son Heung-min gave fans a glimpse of what he’ll bring to Major League Soccer in his #LAFC debut tonight. 🇰🇷⚡️

www.mlssoccer.com/news/electri...
Electric debut! Son Heung-Min makes instant impact for LAFC  | MLSSoccer.com
BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – The Son Heung-Min era in Major League Soccer is officially underway.
www.mlssoccer.com
August 10, 2025 at 5:02 AM
Reposted by Alex Calabrese
Trip Fleming’s call-up to the Fire first team for tonight is now official.

The 21-year-old’s decision to leave Wisconsin early for Fire II appears to be paying off so far as he hopes to make his MLS debut against LAFC.

meninred97.com/trip-fleming...

#cf97 #VamosFire
Trip Fleming earns maiden Fire first team call-up - MIR97 Media
Trip Fleming shocked many when he left the University of Wisconsin early to sign an MLS Next Pro contract with Chicago Fire II. Now, he is set for his first-ever first team call-up, and could be poise...
meninred97.com
August 9, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Reposted by Alex Calabrese
Chicago Fire in talks to sign 27-year old midfielder André Franco from FC Porto on loan.

Deal will be a loan and Franco will not occupy a DP slot.

Interest 1st reported by @tombogert.bsky.social and Ben Jacobs

meninred97.com/sources-fire...
Sources: Fire In Talks For André Franco Loan - MIR97 Media
The Chicago Fire are in negotiations to sign André Franco on loan from FC Porto, sources told MIR97 Media. The interest was reported earlier this morning by GiveMeSport. Franco, a 27-year-old Portugue...
meninred97.com
August 2, 2025 at 6:34 PM
🔥🚨 The Chicago Fire are in advanced talks with FC Porto to add Portuguese midfielder André Franco on loan.

He will not be a Designated Player. The Fire will also have an option to make the move permanent. 🇵🇹

meninred97.com/sources-fire...

#cf97 #vamosfire
https://meninred97.com/sources-fire-i…
August 2, 2025 at 11:27 PM
🔥🚨 Excl: Omari Glasgow leaves the Chicago Fire on loan, joining Loudoun United of the USL Championship.

Move opens up an international slot for the Fire. 🇬🇾

meninred97.com/source-omari...

#cf97 #vamosfire
Source: Omari Glasgow Joining Loudoun on Loan - MIR97 Media
Chicago Fire winger Omari Glasgow is joining USL club Loudoun United on loan, sources told MIR97 Media. Glasgow has played just seven minutes in MLS since May.
meninred97.com
August 2, 2025 at 4:48 PM
🔥🚨 Latest on Patrick Berg from Bodø/Glimt… the Chicago Fire are very interested and Gregg Berhalter is captivated by him.

Big difference in evaluation between the clubs so that’s a major hurdle; he’s valued by Transfermarkt at €6 million ($7m US), Bodø want 120m kr ($12m US).

#cf97 #vamosfire
July 25, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Bryan Dowd is on the bench for the fourth straight Chicago Fire game.

Despite being loaned to Fire II, he hasn't needed ANY short-term call-ups... the Fire were granted an extreme hardship exemption for the whole Gold Cup with Chris Brady away.

#cf97 #vamosfire
June 28, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Reposted by Alex Calabrese
“I’m in Germany, I live with my German mom. So it wasn’t really a topic in my life to be honest.”

Malik Tillman’s path has taken him from Bavaria to America -- now he's firmly in the USMNT spotlight a year from the World Cup 🇺🇸

From @amcalabrese.bsky.social ⤵️
www.backheeled.com/malik-tillma...
“It’s now or never”: How Malik Tillman’s winding USMNT road took him from Bavaria to America
In the spotlight for Mauricio Pochettino’s team this summer, Tillman has the chance to cement himself as a key player ahead of the World Cup.
www.backheeled.com
June 17, 2025 at 1:42 PM
The Chicago Fire are on the way to Central Florida for a rematch against Orlando.

It could be a big opportunity for Kellyn Acosta, who hasn't played in MLS since April 26th...

Plus, the latest on Chris Brady amid his #USMNT call-up.
#cf97 #vamosfire

meninred97.com/fire-noteboo...
Fire Notebook: Opportunities for Acosta, Brady - MIR97 Media
The Fire's central midfield has seen a rotation of five players. Notably absent has been Kellyn Acosta, who has not featured in MLS since April 26th...
meninred97.com
May 30, 2025 at 7:38 PM