Words about Shapes: Results, Motherf#*ker!
In which Sean ponders whether end-stage capitalism is the wrong environment in which to expect much sympathy. Highlights include a visit to the doctor and a phone call from a front-office apparatchik.
Editorial
Real Fans Show Up Even When Times Are Tough
There's an argument for being there in bad times as well as good
Grilling With Fire Part 1: Daniel Paladini
A fun interview series with your favorite Fire Players. We sit down and "grill" them with 26 questions that are supposed to be light-hearted and fun.
Forwards, Midfielders, Defenders: Who Scores?
Spreadsheets, tables, and numbers are back in this second part of Hot Time in Old Town's series on goal scoring in MLS. Today we look at where teams get their goals from -- forwards, midfielders, or defenders -- and if there is a hidden formula for s
Seeing Red: A look at Red Cards
The results of Saturday, April 27th’s away match against the Montreal Impact left many Fire fans, myself included, red faced in frustration. The red card violation handed out to "Big Red" Jeff Larentowicz in the 63rd seemed unjust to say the least.
Red Star Report: Mental Lapses Cause Stars Loss
Despite excellent defense for the first hour and change, metal lapses and the quality of Christine Sinclair and Alex Morgan drove the Portland Thorns past the Chicago Red Stars
Big Money Up Front: An Established Striker Needed
Throughout the history of MLS, championship squads have found a balance between the draft and free agent signings. Often times each team had one signing (more often at striker) that put them over the top. It's time that our Fire followed suit
Trophies = Full Seats
While a cup win obviously helps any fan base, it would especially be true for a Fire team in a crowded Chicago sports landscape. The team must start winning trophies again to spur fans to head out to Toyota Park and fill those blue seats. Winning is
Support the groups that give fuel to the Fire
Nearly a quarter of MLS teams' revenues come from sponsors. Do you support the organizations that support the Fire?
Who Do You Love (to Hate)? - Chicago Fire Rivals
Great rivalries make for great theatre
U.S. Open Cup makes changes, but we deserve more
The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is in its centennial year, and the U.S. Soccer Federation announced some changes to the tournament format. But this should only be a starting point for what the tournament could one day become.
Rogers has opportunity to be Chicago sports hero
Robbie Rogers announced on Friday that he's stepping away from soccer. But if he one day decides to play again, would Chicago be one of his top choices?
Book Review - The Ball Is Round
The Ball Is Round - A comprehensive, entertainingly written book. History through the lens of soccer.
Klopas v. Kinnear
The concensus from Wednesday night is that Frank Klopas was out coached by Dominic Kinnear. Unfortunately for Klopas, it was not a level playing.
On The Media: Last Night in New England or A Thousand Words of Indignation
By now it is widely acknowledged that the Revolution broadcast last night was awful. Check out this story for some of the nonsense.
Book review - Brilliant Orange: The neurotic genius of Dutch football
Sometimes, superlatives aren't necessary. When a book is so fascinating that you go through nearly all of it in a single day and then spend the entire evening searching for YouTube clips related to...
The Importance of Saturday's Game on Local Broadcast TV
How can the Fire cut through the enormous tide of Chicago sports coverage and capture the attention of the sporting public? A solid television rating from Saturday's NBC 5 broadcast.
Book review: Bloody Confused! - or - An American romp through the PL
Bloody Confused! by Chuck Culpepper is the type of book that all sports fanatics wish we could be paid to write. Imagine being paid to travel overseas and live in London for six months with the...
Book Review: How Soccer Explains the World
What I enjoy about following soccer is not limited to the actual, physical sport. I find the social, political, and emotional facets of the sport fascinating as well. Franklin Foer covers those...
Chicago Fire: Now over 100% more disrespected than any other MLS team
Chicago Fire: Now over proof they are 100% more disrespected than any other MLS team at the moment
Book Review - Football Inc.: How Soccer Fans are Losing the Game
Someone is paying a price - That someone is none other than you and me; the average fan
Off Week Musings: What's On My Mind
Off Week Musings: What's On My Mind
Book Review: Fever Pitch by Nick Hornby -- or what it means to be a fan
Superficially, Fever Pitch (by Nick Hornby) is about Arsenal. Superficially, it's all about Arsenal's ups and downs, the history of the club, and how the wins and losses intertwined with the...
Chicago Fire: We Aren't the Big Drawers You Think We Are
While 18 of the 19 MLS teams have played a competitive match in the first week of MLS action, we here at Hot Time in Old Town are still waiting for our chance to see our beloved team take the...
Book Review: "Offside: Soccer and American Exceptionalism" -- Why is our 'sport space' so unique?
In the last book that I reviewed, there were a few interesting references to another book on the same subject called Offside: Soccer and American Exceptionalism by Andrei Markovits and Steven...
Book Review: Soccer in a Football World
Book Review: Soccer in a Football World
