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I watched Once in a Lifetime over the weekend. It's a great documentary on the New York Cosmos and somewhat the North American Soccer League. I highly recommend it.
In today's Smolderings, we feature a podcast interview with Eric Wynalda, Lindsay Tarpley injures her knee again, FMF might be abusing water breaks for TV monetary gains, Tom Soehn talks to Orrin Schwarz and much more after the break.
Lead Stories
Podcast with Eric Wynalda - Beyond The Pitch
Eric Wynalda talks about the Chicago Fire... and coaching. You listen between the lines.
Americans lose Tarpley with knee injury 05/15/201 - SoccerAmerica
Former Chicago Red Stars player Lindsay Tarpley suffered an ACL tear in her right knee and will miss the Women's World Cup. There's a quote inside from Tarpley.
Televisa Says FMF Ratings Dipping; Will Water Breaks Boost Revenues? - FMF State Of Mind
FMF State of Mind has an interesting story on water breaks being used despite the fact that it hasn't been all that hot in Mexico.
Soehn enjoys expansion club challenge in MLS - DailyHerald.com
Orrin Schwarz caught up with former Fire player, former Fire assistant coach and Arlington Heights native Tom Soehn. Soehn was in town in his role as Director of Soccer Operations for the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Why Fire should give coach more time - DailyHerald.com
Schwarz also had a piece on giving Carlos de los Cobos more time as coach of the Chicago Fire. I agree... for now.
Con hambre de gol | Chicago Fire Soccer Club
Raquel Ortiz of FutbolMLS.com profiled Cristian Nazarit.
Section 8 Chicago Watch Parties
Section 8 Chicago has updated their official Watch Party list through July 9th.
Chicago Fire Academy
The U-15/16 Fire Academy team is 2-1-1 in their last four games but have been outscored 2 goals to 3. Call them the Philadelphia Union of their league. The U-17/18 Fire Academy team has really stepped it up going 3-0-1 in their last four games after starting out 1-3-2. The Great Lakes Division is wide open at their level.
Fire U-15/16 blanks Vardar to record seventh shutout in nine matches - Chicagoland Soccer
Fire U-15/16 can't find net again, falls to Crew following questionable PK - Chicagoland Soccer
Late score by Salmeron lifts Fire U-15/16 to 1-0 win over Internationals - Chicagoland Soccer
Medina scores late as Fire U-17/18 avenge earlier defeat to Vardar - Chicagoland Soccer
Last-second penalty kick gives Fire U-17/18 a draw against Crew- Chicagoland Soccer
Fire U-17/18 blank Internationals to capture first home victory - Chicagoland Soccer
Prep Soccer
Jeff Ward has a highly editorial piece in here. You would think that taunts at a girls' high school soccer game would be non-existent and you would think that racist taunts would somehow be even rarer. Apparently not and kudos to Ward for writing about it.
Larkin coach takes high road after lowdown taunts - Courier News
In brighter news, the IHSA Girls' Soccer regular season has wrapped up. There are a couple of prep related links below. Congratulations to Loyola on their undefeated season. The married soccer refs story is high on cute factor.
Kelly Holbert more than just a soccer player - West Suburban Sports
Loyola Sports Roundup: Soccer Completes Undefeated Regular Season - Wilmette-Kenilworth, IL Patch
Naperville North defeats Geneva - DailyHerald.com
Chicago Fire PDL
The Chicago Fire PDL team kicked off this season in Akron on Saturday night. Josey Portillo had a goal and an assist as the Fire PDL defeated the Akron Summitt Assault 2-0. Chris Estridge also had a goal and Kenney Walker had an assist. The PDL team's home opener is this Saturday, May 21 at Evanston Township High School at 6:30 PM CST against the Cincinnati Kings.
Fire PDL Playin' in the Rain - Chicago Fire Premier
Chicago Fire PDL to Plan Home Games in Evanston - Evanston Roundtable
2011 Camps & Clinics - Chicago Fire Premier
Chicago vs. Toronto Recaps
In case you want to relive Saturday's game against Toronto FC, here are several ways to read about it.
Fire overcome two-goal deficit, tie Toronto - Chicago Fire Blog - ESPN Chicago
Fire 2 Toronto FC 2 - Recap and Ratings - Fire Confidential
Toronto FC Vs. Chicago Fire: Fire Overcome Conway Howler - SBNation.com
MLS wrap: Beckham sparks Galaxy, Fire come from dead - Soccerway
Recap: Chicago come back from 2-0 down to tie TFC | MLSsoccer.com
Chicago Fire rally to tie Toronto FC 2-2 with second-half surge in the rain - The Canadian Press
Fire rallies to tie Toronto FC - NW Times
Toronto FC 2:2 Chicago Fire. TFC wither without Joao. - Waking The Red