Tim Hotze
@timhotze.com
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.
Jason Shokalook getting a start up top in front of Jo Bamba and a lot of Nordic guys.
Omari Glasgow starts at wingback for #cf97 against SKC.
Graphic from @chicagofire.bsky.social
Omari Glasgow starts at wingback for #cf97 against SKC.
Graphic from @chicagofire.bsky.social
January 24, 2026 at 2:42 PM
Jason Shokalook getting a start up top in front of Jo Bamba and a lot of Nordic guys.
Omari Glasgow starts at wingback for #cf97 against SKC.
Graphic from @chicagofire.bsky.social
Omari Glasgow starts at wingback for #cf97 against SKC.
Graphic from @chicagofire.bsky.social
2 MLS rule changes may impact Chicago Fire more than most:
International slots can be traded for just the 1st half of a year, and players can move off int'l slot later in year based on GC interview.
Could be significant for #cf97, who currently have 13 int'l players & 8 slots
International slots can be traded for just the 1st half of a year, and players can move off int'l slot later in year based on GC interview.
Could be significant for #cf97, who currently have 13 int'l players & 8 slots
January 22, 2026 at 4:59 PM
2 MLS rule changes may impact Chicago Fire more than most:
International slots can be traded for just the 1st half of a year, and players can move off int'l slot later in year based on GC interview.
Could be significant for #cf97, who currently have 13 int'l players & 8 slots
International slots can be traded for just the 1st half of a year, and players can move off int'l slot later in year based on GC interview.
Could be significant for #cf97, who currently have 13 int'l players & 8 slots
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
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.
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
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."
May be a different URL but one's still available!
Just click the RSS link at the bottom of any given page to access.
Just click the RSS link at the bottom of any given page to access.
January 18, 2026 at 11:23 PM
May be a different URL but one's still available!
Just click the RSS link at the bottom of any given page to access.
Just click the RSS link at the bottom of any given page to access.
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...
As some bonus content, here's Gregg Berhalter on the chance to face Liga MX opponents in the #LeaguesCup:
"You guys know I love playing against Mexican teams!"
But do read the whole thing below – a ton of Chicago Fire updates and news
#cf97 #VamosFire
"You guys know I love playing against Mexican teams!"
But do read the whole thing below – a ton of Chicago Fire updates and news
#cf97 #VamosFire
January 14, 2026 at 2:58 PM
As some bonus content, here's Gregg Berhalter on the chance to face Liga MX opponents in the #LeaguesCup:
"You guys know I love playing against Mexican teams!"
But do read the whole thing below – a ton of Chicago Fire updates and news
#cf97 #VamosFire
"You guys know I love playing against Mexican teams!"
But do read the whole thing below – a ton of Chicago Fire updates and news
#cf97 #VamosFire
Gregg Berhalter confirms Chicago Fire "working on an exit strategy" for Kellyn Acosta.
Fire coach days not to expect modfielder André Franco's return from ACL injury until "after the World Cup"
#cf97 #VamosFire
Fire coach days not to expect modfielder André Franco's return from ACL injury until "after the World Cup"
#cf97 #VamosFire
January 13, 2026 at 6:53 PM
Gregg Berhalter confirms Chicago Fire "working on an exit strategy" for Kellyn Acosta.
Fire coach days not to expect modfielder André Franco's return from ACL injury until "after the World Cup"
#cf97 #VamosFire
Fire coach days not to expect modfielder André Franco's return from ACL injury until "after the World Cup"
#cf97 #VamosFire
At Chicago Fire training
Salétros is here but no south African arrivals yet.
Radojević in full training with the team
#cf97 #VamosFire
Salétros is here but no south African arrivals yet.
Radojević in full training with the team
#cf97 #VamosFire
January 13, 2026 at 4:56 PM
At Chicago Fire training
Salétros is here but no south African arrivals yet.
Radojević in full training with the team
#cf97 #VamosFire
Salétros is here but no south African arrivals yet.
Radojević in full training with the team
#cf97 #VamosFire
To answer the question: Yes, that means the Chicago Fire aren't roster compliant right now.
That's ok preseason & they have till Feb 20 to sort things out.
I expect Radojević is getting moved off the U22 slot as a roster/cap move.
More on this later today.
#cf97 #VamosFire
That's ok preseason & they have till Feb 20 to sort things out.
I expect Radojević is getting moved off the U22 slot as a roster/cap move.
More on this later today.
#cf97 #VamosFire
January 13, 2026 at 1:42 PM
To answer the question: Yes, that means the Chicago Fire aren't roster compliant right now.
That's ok preseason & they have till Feb 20 to sort things out.
I expect Radojević is getting moved off the U22 slot as a roster/cap move.
More on this later today.
#cf97 #VamosFire
That's ok preseason & they have till Feb 20 to sort things out.
I expect Radojević is getting moved off the U22 slot as a roster/cap move.
More on this later today.
#cf97 #VamosFire
And he gets the assist on the opener with Chivas up 2-0 at half
January 11, 2026 at 12:17 AM
And he gets the assist on the opener with Chivas up 2-0 at half
Former Chicago Fire homegrown Brian Gutiérrez STARTS in his first game for Chivas as they start Clausura 2026 against Pachuca
#cf97 #VamosFire
#cf97 #VamosFire
January 10, 2026 at 10:21 PM
Former Chicago Fire homegrown Brian Gutiérrez STARTS in his first game for Chivas as they start Clausura 2026 against Pachuca
#cf97 #VamosFire
#cf97 #VamosFire
Inbox: Chicago Fire's preseason begins Tuesday, Jan 13 at the year-old Endeavor Health Performance Center before the team heads to West Palm Beach ahead of the Coachella Valley Invitational in February
#cf97 #VamosFire
#cf97 #VamosFire
January 10, 2026 at 12:27 AM
Inbox: Chicago Fire's preseason begins Tuesday, Jan 13 at the year-old Endeavor Health Performance Center before the team heads to West Palm Beach ahead of the Coachella Valley Invitational in February
#cf97 #VamosFire
#cf97 #VamosFire
🚨🚨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.
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
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