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Welcome to this week’s Friday Mailbag! Remember, you can have your questions answered by Tweeting at us using the hashtag #AskHotTime,
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The MLS All-Star roster came out earlier today and... well...
Big names. Big stage.
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 29, 2018
⭐ Introducing the 2018 #MLSAllStar Team! ⭐ pic.twitter.com/mL9FrNzIVD
As you can see, there are no Fire players on this roster. Which, I mean, fair enough. I’ll save my Schweinsteiger thoughts for later, as there’s another question about him. I hate the All-Star Game. The best ASGs in sports, NBA and MLB, recognize the the most important parts of All Star Weekend are the things surrounding it— the Skills Competitions.
MLS does’t have a Home Run Derby, or an All-Star Saturday Night. In fact, it’s not really even a special event. Teams don’t get a week off. There’s no All-Star Break. It’s just a game sandwiched between weekend matchdays. There’s nothing special or remarkable about it, other then the team staring across the field from the MLS team. Forza Juve.
Who would be a good replacement for Katai?
— RJ (@rga_02) June 29, 2018
If Katai leaves, you’re plugging in and playing Michael DeLeeuw. I don’t know if he qualifies as a Good Replacement. MDL is a different player to Katai. He’s less flash and less production. More steak then sizzle, if you will.
I can’t really conceive of the Fire going out during the transfer window and getting anything. The transfer record of Nelson Rodriguez is so bad at the moment. He managed to turn a net win in the Accam deal into one of the worst losses in MLS history (especially if they let Katai walk). And got absolutely pantsed by Quintero. It’s getting to be an embarrassment. I don’t know.
One year ago, Chicago Fire soccer were in 1st place in #MLS and Toyota Park was festooned with Germany banners. He's been all over the field with team of many moving parts. Is Bastian Schweinsteiger playing to his potential? #askhottime #cf97
— Andrew Oleksiuk (@Andrew_Oleksiuk) June 28, 2018
I believe that yes, Bastian Schweinsteiger is playing to his fullest potential in the position he’s being put in. Essentially, he’s being asked to be the cork in the sinking boat that is the 2018 MLS season. He plays where there are holes in the shape, attacking and defending when he sees the need to.
Something to remember: he’s 36 and has a lot of miles on his body. He’s tonearwards the end of his career. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Fire is his last stop on his long illustrious career, and the Fire are completely wasting his time here. The better question to ask, I think, is “Are the Fire wasting Bastian Schweinsteiger’s potential?” And the answer is a resounding Yes.