Hot Time In Old Town - MLS Coverage: Chicago Fire vs. Los Angeles FCTRADITION - HONOR - PASSIONhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50655/htiot-fav.png2018-09-29T17:24:28-05:00http://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/rss/stream/176771652018-09-29T17:24:28-05:002018-09-29T17:24:28-05:00Own Worst Enemy: Chicago Fire 3, Los Angeles FC 1, MLS Game Recap
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<img alt="MLS: Los Angeles FC at Chicago Fire" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cYRvG6e36M_E0g4Q8AoJTKlonPk=/0x0:3982x2655/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61591937/usa_today_11344846.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Fire defy the odds and get one over on LAFC</p> <blockquote>
<p id="QGAGkb"><a href="https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/"><strong>Chicago Fire</strong></a><strong> 3</strong> Mihailovic 20’, Nikolic (PK) 29’, Katai 66’</p>
<p id="qCmX5J"><strong>Los Angeles FC 1 </strong>Rossi 73’</p>
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<p id="vtrDkz">What the hell, Fire.</p>
<p id="mNvvX2">What the actual hell. </p>
<p id="NvgNgZ">You went up against one of the best teams in the league, at a point in this dismal underperforming season when <em>nothing matters anymore</em>, and you straight-up mugged them. Where did this come from? I think we all deserve to know how it is you managed to dig this deep to get this result.</p>
<p id="7u67FS">And then we’d like to know why you’ve been holding back all season.’</p>
<div id="fiLVD8"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/R9R_J91I11c?rel=0" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="cZP6TG">On the one hand, I was glad to see Cleveland in goal again. Giving him a real look ahead of the offseason is one of the best things Pauno can do right now. On the other hand, none of the other fringe players in the squad are really getting that chance. Most of the outfield is just Pauno’s preferred starters. He’s trying to have it both ways and it’s hurting the team right now. (She said, not for the first time this season.)</p>
<p id="BifHQz">Side note: I really wish the Twitter streams gave the option to switch to the Spanish language broadcast. Univision’s English commentary is... bad.</p>
<p id="6J6dCA">At one point early in the first half one of the commentators said that the Fire are in a good position because they’re already out of playoff contention; no pressure means they’re free to play how they want. I wondered if he has watched this team at all this season. Or, indeed, in this game.</p>
<p id="ERhbsC">Because this Fire team did not look unburdened or ready to grab this game by the reins. They looked tired and sad. Like they have for much of this season. Like we all do at this point.</p>
<p id="KtvGCH">So much so that <span>Djordje Mihailovic</span>’s banger— stunning though it was— felt like too much of a fluke to really savor.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">WHAT. A. STRIKE. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CHIvLAFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CHIvLAFC</a> <a href="https://t.co/Clfwfnmpe4">https://t.co/Clfwfnmpe4</a></p>— Major League Soccer (@MLS) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLS/status/1046132499775012864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2018</a>
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<p id="MI3BUn">But a lead is a lead. </p>
<p id="LOfe3R">LAFC came roaring back after that. The pressure was dialed up to 11 since the restart. You expected the visitors to get that goal back any second.</p>
<p id="piGcAb">So when Chris Penso— of all people!— awarded a penalty to Chicago just seven minutes later. Nikolic converted and the Fire were up 2-0. Somehow.</p>
<p id="rtfrW4">What was even <em>happening</em>?</p>
<p id="3iFIfA">LAFC were clearly the better side here but the Fire were winning. Sure, the visitors were a bit slow in transition, but there’s no natural reason why the Fire should have a two-goal lead here. Eldritch machinations must have been at work.</p>
<p id="ZCtdqZ">LA kept pressing to get back into the game but, thanks in no small part to Cleveland’s best Superman impression, the Fire somehow, <em>somehow</em>, managed to hang on to this lead through 45 minutes.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/stef_cleveland?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@stef_cleveland</a> is having himself a day! Take another look at his saves from the first half of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CHIvLAFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CHIvLAFC</a> <a href="https://t.co/Orlvi5xBCZ">pic.twitter.com/Orlvi5xBCZ</a></p>— Major League Soccer (@MLS) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLS/status/1046144111818899456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2018</a>
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<p id="5EkB2w">And they continued hanging in there through the start of the second half. The Fire even managed to <em>almost</em> make it 3-0 through Michael de Leeuw soon before the hour mark, whose goal was ruled offside.</p>
<p id="KT5mcj">Cleveland continued to play well. The backline held pat. <span>Raheem Edwards</span> was having himself a game. The team was <em>clicking</em>. </p>
<p id="nyqbUz">And then! Having just come on moments earlier, <span>Aleksandar Katai</span> hit LAFC on the counterattack and put the Fire ahead 3-0.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">That's 3️⃣! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CHIvLAFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CHIvLAFC</a> <a href="https://t.co/Xq7kC59TKz">https://t.co/Xq7kC59TKz</a></p>— Major League Soccer (@MLS) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLS/status/1046148097183629312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2018</a>
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<p id="K0XoxC">Maybe... maybe I was wrong earlier. Maybe the Fire were indeed feeling a burden lifted.</p>
<p id="Iraxrd">Of course, nothing comes easy for this team, even when things are going well. <span>Diego Rossi</span> hit an amazing off-angle shot in the box that Cleveland could do nothing about. 3-1 with 17 minutes in regulation.</p>
<p id="wpEbmL">The proceedings became much more tense, as one might expect. If the Fire had to scramble at various moments earlier in the game, the last 15-20 minutes were real mf’n’ hanging-on-by-fingertips hours. Subbing in Jonathan Campbell certainly helped, as did LA running low on gas once stoppage time kicked in, but it was still nervy.</p>
<p id="i8vsbF">Wouldn’t you know it, though. The Fire held on and won.</p>
<p id="5uzGxB">You could dismiss the Orlando win a few weeks ago on the weakness of the opposition. Today, though? The Fire <em>earned</em> today.</p>
<p id="ncW6Bz">It’s just too bad they couldn’t play like this in April and May.</p>
<p id="ykIu34">The Chicago Fire (8W 7D 16L, 31pts, 9th in the Eastern Conference) are on the road next Sunday when they take on DC United.</p>
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https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2018/9/29/17916426/chicago-fire-3-los-angeles-fc-1-mls-2018-week-31-match-recap-mihailovic-nikolic-katai-clevelandBridget Gordon2018-09-29T16:52:03-05:002018-09-29T16:52:03-05:00Chicago Fire 3, Los Angeles FC 1: Man Of The Match
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<img alt="MLS: Los Angeles FC at Chicago Fire" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kTdMN0NwKTwB7R6j5zMW3KXuYEQ=/0x0:4566x3044/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61591755/usa_today_11344848.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Daaaaaaaaaaaaaang</p> <p id="9Wor3e">What the heck was that?! No, seriously, how did this even happen??? I... have no words right now.</p>
<p id="juxUgk">Anyway we’re going with <span>Stefan Cleveland</span> as our MOTM this week for putting on an amazing performance against one of the strongest attacking teams in the league. Bravo, young man. Bravo.</p>
<p id="Ve9RoU"><em>Now let us know how you saw it. Vote for your choice for MOTM in the poll below. The poll will be open for two days, after which we’ll publicize the results. (Note: if you’re viewing this post from AMP or Apple News, you won’t see the poll below. Feel free to tell us your pick in the comments.)</em></p>
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https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2018/9/29/17916470/best-worst-performances-vote-motm-chicago-fire-3-los-angeles-fc-1-mls-2018-week-31Bridget Gordon2018-09-29T16:47:03-05:002018-09-29T16:47:03-05:00Chicago Fire 3, Los Angeles FC 1: Quick & Dirty Recap
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<img alt="MLS: Los Angeles FC at Chicago Fire" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cqUF0iOcfVkmuvfgAd6vNigwqr4=/0x0:4160x2773/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61591701/usa_today_11344646.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Fire grab an upset win over LAFC</p> <blockquote>
<p id="QGAGkb"><a href="https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/"><strong>Chicago Fire</strong></a><strong> 3</strong> Mihailovic 20’, Nikolic (PK) 29’, Katai 66’</p>
<p id="XnXDVg"><strong>Los Angeles FC 1 </strong>Rossi 73’</p>
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<p id="RbV9IA">Here is your quick & dirty editorial-free recap of the Chicago Fire home match against LAFC. The Fire won 3-1, with goals from <span>Djordje Mihailovic</span>, <span>Nemanja Nikolic</span> (penalty), <span>Aleksandar Katai</span>, and <span>Diego Rossi</span>.</p>
<h1 id="f9ofwf">20’ 1-0 Mihailovic</h1>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">WHAT. A. STRIKE. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CHIvLAFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CHIvLAFC</a> <a href="https://t.co/Clfwfnmpe4">https://t.co/Clfwfnmpe4</a></p>— Major League Soccer (@MLS) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLS/status/1046132499775012864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2018</a>
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<h1 id="tLiO2I">29’ 2-0 Nikolic (PK)</h1>
<div id="wnvR0A"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.mlssoccer.com/iframe-video?brightcove_player_id=default&brightcove_id=5842210745001&brightcove_account_id=5530036774001" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div></div>
<h1 id="gVX9M3">66’ 3-0 Katai</h1>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">That's 3️⃣! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CHIvLAFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CHIvLAFC</a> <a href="https://t.co/Xq7kC59TKz">https://t.co/Xq7kC59TKz</a></p>— Major League Soccer (@MLS) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLS/status/1046148097183629312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2018</a>
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<h1 id="cDZSNe">73’ 3-1 Rossi</h1>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Rossi gets one back for <a href="https://twitter.com/LAFC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LAFC</a>! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CHIvLAFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CHIvLAFC</a> <a href="https://t.co/8OxWtCU9Li">https://t.co/8OxWtCU9Li</a></p>— Major League Soccer (@MLS) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLS/status/1046149849924558848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2018</a>
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<p id="xl7U2N">Stay tuned for more postgame coverage here on Hot Time In Old Town. In the meantime, join the conversation in the comments or on social media.</p>
https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2018/9/29/17916464/chicago-fire-3-los-angeles-fc-1-match-recap-report-mls-2018-week-31Bridget Gordon2018-09-29T00:04:48-05:002018-09-29T00:04:48-05:00Chicago Fire vs Los Angeles FC: Gameday Primer, How To Watch, & Open Thread
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<img alt="MLS: Chicago Fire at New England Revolution" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/oAGh52UpAMrZ-Tbky24IXujX42U=/0x0:3179x2119/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61587321/usa_today_11303656.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Lineups, streaming info, and live MLS coverage as the Fire face off against LAFC </p> <hr class="p-entry-hr" id="MtXvPk">
<h2 id="n8guy1">
<a href="https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/"><strong>Chicago Fire</strong></a><strong> vs Los Angeles FC</strong>
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<p id="CFA9Ef">Saturday, September 29th, 2018</p>
<p id="ScFyCz">MLS Week 31 | Toyota Park, Bridgeview IL</p>
<p id="cigD8Q">Kickoff: 2:30pm CT</p>
<p id="1W1d4z">Referee: Christopher Penso</p>
<p id="8OqxJO">Assistant Referees: CJ Morgante, Craig Lowry</p>
<p id="B1qwFB">4th Official: Marcos DeOliveira</p>
<p id="QmO6um">VAR: Ricardo Salazar</p>
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<p id="RQCl10">LAFC are good. The Fire are bad. Chris Penso is the ref. Don’t know what else to say here. Good luck, everyone.</p>
<h2 id="WUVAZ3"><strong>PREVIEW & VIEWING OPTIONS</strong></h2>
<p id="p5cIkI"><strong>Full Preview: </strong><a href="https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2018/9/28/17912270/chicago-fire-los-angeles-fc-mls-2018-week-31-preview-news-projected-lineups-how-to-watch">Fire vs. LAFC</a></p>
<p id="rpVnHV"><strong>Television</strong>: Univision</p>
<p id="TfNbAb"><strong>Online Streaming:</strong> <a href="https://www.chicago-fire.com/post/2018/09/28/watch-fire-vs-lafc-live-univision-or-twitter-saturday">Twitter</a></p>
<p id="ivo8Jz"><strong>Live Updates: </strong><a href="https://twitter.com/hottimeoldtown">@HotTimeOldTown</a> (livetweets by <a href="https://twitter.com/rubentisch">Ruben</a>) | <a href="https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2018-09-29-chicago-fire-vs-los-angeles-football-club/preview">MLS Matchcenter</a></p>
<h2 id="rfnE1M"><strong>CHICAGO FIRE</strong></h2>
<p id="gzS6Wj">Starting XI: Cleveland; Vincent, Schweinsteiger, Kappelhof, Corrales; Bronico, McCarty (c); Edwards, Mihailovic, De Leeuw; Nikolic</p>
<p id="ChGfd0">Bench: Sanchez, Campbell, Conner, Johnson, Hasler, Katai, Movsisyan</p>
<h2 id="33OpGL"><strong>LOS ANGELES FC</strong></h2>
<p id="Dr6x3s">Starting XI: Miller, Beitashour, Jakovic, Zimmerman, Harvey, Atuesta, Feilhaber, Horta, Dio, Rossi, Vela (c)</p>
<p id="jFcMii">Bench: Lopez, Moutinho, Mallace, Nguyen, Perez, Urena, Ramirez</p>
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<h2 id="HzGJ8G"><strong>JOIN THE CONVERSATION</strong></h2>
<p id="TSCd4i">Be sure to follow our full coverage of every Chicago Fire game this season, along with breaking news, tactical analysis, and opinion. Join the conversation in the comments below or on social media.</p>
https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2018/9/29/17916432/chicago-fire-los-angeles-fc-mls-2018-week-31-info-lineups-streaming-kickoff-timeBridget Gordon2018-09-28T01:36:39-05:002018-09-28T01:36:39-05:00Ghosts Of Summers Past: Chicago Fire vs Los Angeles FC, MLS Week 31 Preview
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<img alt="MLS: Chicago Fire at New England Revolution" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/UvrKUFk0sPhp6ab-GiWn-_-K14E=/0x0:2323x1549/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61574527/usa_today_11303494.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Fire welcome club legend Bob Bradley back to Toyota Park</p> <p id="vb7mOz">The <a href="https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/">Chicago Fire</a> may be terrible, but you have to give them credit: they’re finding new and exciting ways to be terrible.</p>
<p id="mADF2z">The Men In Red will get another chance to explore new frontiers in suckitude when they host Los Angeles FC, a team that didn’t exist this year. We know they’re good, and they have a Ring Of Fire inductee on the sidelines. </p>
<p id="Qcq01B">Brace yourselves. This is probably going to hurt.</p>
<h1 id="smUULx">Previously On...</h1>
<div id="jOWKrY"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4KPreGv6yI0?rel=0" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no"></iframe></div></div>
<div id="QwbLdM"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nqmKAo1__VA?rel=0" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no"></iframe></div></div>
<div id="mk1TiF"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZljZivAJM64?rel=0" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="nxYqua">Two wins and a draw from their last three games. Unbeaten in six games. This is going to suck.</p>
<h1 id="9A3hcG">Suggested Lineup</h1>
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<p id="ruxlCO"><em>Sanchez; Vincent, Schweinsteiger, Kappelhof, Hasler; Bronico, McCarty; De Leeuw, Mihailovic, Katai; Nikolic</em></p>
<p id="4GFGjU">I’m letting Saturday’s team ride again. Pauno made a handful of changes on Wednesday, mostly for rotation’s sake, but I think tomorrow we should go back to this. I’d be down for swapping out Cleveland for Sanchez, though, but I don’t think it’ll happen.</p>
<h1 id="1mCPc0">Keys To The Match</h1>
<p id="JAXR9m"><strong>Score First</strong>: The Fire didn’t score first (or at all) on Wednesday. They lost. They scored first in the previous two games. A win and a draw. Come on, guys, not hard to figure out.</p>
<p id="kZrTtG"><strong>Twirling Towards Fredom</strong>: On Wednesday the Fire seemed to do well for a while against NYCFC by rotating their backline. Kept the opposition attackers off-balance. Maybe that could work for a while here too?</p>
<p id="wwMb0G"><strong>Pray</strong>: Yeah, I don’t know guys. This has all the makings of a bloodbath. If you believe in a Higher Power, now’s the time to give them a ring.</p>
<h1 id="PU8QsL">How To Watch</h1>
<p id="Pcw72R"><strong>Television</strong>: Univision</p>
<p id="idlQTu"><strong>Streaming</strong>: Twitter</p>
<h1 id="ewrFcM">Final Thoughts</h1>
<p id="LUTcwl">Can the Fire hold out and get something out of this game? Let us know in the comments below!</p>
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https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2018/9/28/17912270/chicago-fire-los-angeles-fc-mls-2018-week-31-preview-news-projected-lineups-how-to-watchBridget Gordon