While records are meant to be broken in sports, the most expensive footballer benchmark has stood for eight years and counting. When Paris Saint-Germain acquired Neymar from FC Barcelona for $262 million in 2017, this record was falling every 2-4 years, with Paul Pogba eclipsing Gareth Bale in 2013, which surpassed Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009. And given how transfer spending … [Read more...] about Neymar Would Not Have Been a Good Fit with Chicago Fire FC
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Chicago Fire Sack Ezra Hendrickson, Georg Heitz on Hot Seat
Chicago Fire FC are looking for a new manager, yet again, as Ezra Hendrickson has just been sacked. Sporting Director Georg Heitz released an official statement, minutes ago, announcing the dismissal. The Fire, currently the penultimate side in Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference, got off to a 2-5-3 start this season. Picked to finish dead last, or very close to it by … [Read more...] about Chicago Fire Sack Ezra Hendrickson, Georg Heitz on Hot Seat
Nicolas Gaitan to Join Bastian Schweinsteiger, Dax McCarty in Chicago Fire Midfield
When the Chicago Fire open their season on Sunday against Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the L.A. Galaxy they will do so with a new player added to the roster. Thursday saw Chinese Super League club Dalian Yifang announce the transfer of Nicolas Gaitan to the Major League Soccer side. “Nicholas Gaitan joined the US Fireworks Chicago Fire Team. The club expressed its heartfelt … [Read more...] about Nicolas Gaitan to Join Bastian Schweinsteiger, Dax McCarty in Chicago Fire Midfield
Bastian Schweinsteiger to Fill Positional Holes for Chicago Fire in 2019
Bastian Schweinsteiger is back for a third season with the Chicago Fire in 2019, and the position he'll play this year is...wherever he's needed. Obviously, he's a natural and preferred #6, and thus his best place is in the defensive midfield, but last season he played as a central defender on many occasions, filling the team's talent and depth gap at the position. According … [Read more...] about Bastian Schweinsteiger to Fill Positional Holes for Chicago Fire in 2019
Where Will David Beckham Play Next Season? France? England?
The Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer are embattled in a playoff race. These games could be the end of David Beckham’s tenure in the United States. Beckham is certainly in the twilight of his career, but he's still an effective player, and best in the world at set pieces.. The Galaxy take on Real Salt Lake in the conference final as the cloud of Beckham’s … [Read more...] about Where Will David Beckham Play Next Season? France? England?
Catching up with the Fire’s Gonzalo Segares, our favorite Costa Rican athlete in Chicago
Since we interviewed Gonzalo Segares just one year ago, much has changed for both parties. The Sports Bank has seen vast changes in its readership- so far in August, the site has already accumulated three times as many views as it received in all of August 2009, and there are still ten days left in the month. Segares' life changed dramatically as well. At this point last … [Read more...] about Catching up with the Fire’s Gonzalo Segares, our favorite Costa Rican athlete in Chicago
Fire earns three crucial points in 2-1 comeback win over New England
More than a third of the MLS season remains for the Chicago Fire, but last night may very well have been a turning point for the team as the Men in Red rallied for a 2-1 victory over the New England Revolution. The win puts them three points ahead of the Revs, in sole possession of fourth place in the Eastern Conference and right into the thick of a crowded playoff hunt. The … [Read more...] about Fire earns three crucial points in 2-1 comeback win over New England
When reporters meet their heroes (aka my experience with Freddie Ljungberg and Thierry Henry) Part 2
Journalists aren't supposed to have biases, I get that. Makes a good amount of sense in theory. In practice, however, it's safe to say that most people who cover sports were sports fans before they became sports reporters, and true sports fandom is not something that can just be tossed aside- thus, while it is noble to try to be completely objective, we all have biases … [Read more...] about When reporters meet their heroes (aka my experience with Freddie Ljungberg and Thierry Henry) Part 2
When reporters meet their heroes (aka my experience with Thierry Henry and Freddie Ljungberg) Part 1
Journalists aren't supposed to have biases, I get that. Makes a good amount of sense in theory. In practice, however, it's safe to say that most people who cover sports were sports fans before they became sports reporters, and true sports fandom is not something that can just be tossed aside- thus, while it is noble to try to be completely objective, we all have biases … [Read more...] about When reporters meet their heroes (aka my experience with Thierry Henry and Freddie Ljungberg) Part 1
New stars collide as Fire host Red Bulls
Given the current standings and the rivalry between the cities, a Fire-RedBulls match was always going to be a big one for supporters of the two teams. However, when the two teams play on Sunday at Toyota Park, there will be soccer fans from across the country- and beyond- tuning in. These people won't be watching just because the Fire can make up some crucial ground in … [Read more...] about New stars collide as Fire host Red Bulls