After a one week hiatus, the Fireside Chat has returned!

It's time to dust things off after another bye week and see if I still remember how to do this Fireside chat thing

The Fire will face off with a hot Impact team to start the season. After a good past 3 weeks for an improving Chicago team, a result would be an added bonus heading into an off week

As the saying goes, "better late than never". For those of you that look forward to the weekly Fireside Chat, I apologize for the delay. But, it's here now and that is what matters

The Fire are coming off a confidence building (and relief inspiring) win over New York. Their next opponent is always a tough customer, but that is even more true in the impenetrable fortress that is BBVA Compass Stadium

After an off week that saw mixed results in terms of players getting fit for the game Sunday, the Fire will try to put their fresh legs to use against a very good New York team.

The Fire notched their first point of the season last week at KC. The Men in Red will now look for their first win and goal(s) of 2013. The forecast calls for chilly temps and a chance of snow. Hopefully this will help the fire get going

The struggling Fire offense won't get any favors this week as they travel to KC to face a tough defense. The midfield is going to need to step it up big time, and we will need to spring some counters as well to get the offense going

I am so happy to be typing that tagline again. It means that a Fire game is near and this isn't just any game. It's the opening game of the season. Hopes for the upcoming season are fresh and this will be a tough early test for this team.

The 2012 MLS Playoffs have arrived. Although Fire fans are disappointed that we now have a play-in game, the silver lining is that we are back in the playoffs after a 2 year absence.