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Tim Hotze

Tim is MenInRed97's Managing Editor and a co-host of The Bonfire podcast. He has been with MIR97 since launch in 2023 and is a MLS roster rule nerd and has tasted all 31 flavors of allocation money.

𝕏 Bluesky Chicago, IL
Chicago Fire players celebrate after a game against Real Salt Lake

Fire vs Real Salt Lake: Tactics and Starting XI

Update: It has been confirmed that Maren Haile-Selassie is out for the match with an injury. The post has been updated to reflect this. The Fire host Real Salt Lake in the first test of a three game homestand that – not to be dramatic – is crucial if they want to

Quest Over: Fire II 0-1 Indy Eleven

Quest Over: Fire II 0-1 Indy Eleven

The Fire II faced off against Indy Eleven in one of the first competitive matches in history between MLS Next Pro, technically a third division league, and the second division USL Championship in SeatGeek stadium and came up short, falling 0-1 and ending the team’s Quest for the Cup.

Indy Eleven players celebrate a goal during a soccer game.

Opposition Report: Indy Eleven

The Fire II’s Quest for the Cup continues tomorrow when they host Indy Eleven, in one of the first ever competitive matches between an MLS Next Pro team and a side from the second-division USL Championship. To help us understand Indy Eleven, we spoke with David Ziemba, the President

Chicago Fire players celebrate a goal against the New York Red Bulls.

Fire vs New York Red Bulls: Tactics and Starting XI

No MLS match is easy. Away matches are harder. And so naturally after facing six of the top 10 teams based on the 2023 season’s overall table in their first seven matches of the season, the Fire face the current 2024 Supporters Shield-leading New York Red Bulls in their

Soccer player Xherdan Shaqiri celebrates after scoring a goal

Holding Strong: Chicago Fire 2, Houston Dynamo 1

CHICAGO, Ill. — The Fire came home following a two-game road swing, hoping to find a return to the winning form they found in their last match at Soldier Field when the team had a wild 4-3 win over CF Montréal. They got it, and this time, the assist came from

Chicago Fire player Brian Gutiérrez runs during a soccer game

Fire vs Houston: Tactics and Starting XI

The Fire return home to host a Houston Dynamo squad that bested them the last time they met at SeatGeek, though several key players from that match are out for the Dynamo that could change the tone and tenor of the game. Houston Dynamo Overview 2023 Results: 14W-9D-11L, 51 pts,

Quest Continues: Chicago Fire II 2-0 Forward Madison

Quest Continues: Chicago Fire II 2-0 Forward Madison

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. — For the first time in the Fire II’s short history, they prevailed over a professional team in a knockout game, defeating Forward Madison in a chilly, rainy match at SeatGeek Stadium, winning 2-0 in a game where weather played a role the longer the match wore on.

Opposition Report: Forward Madison

Opposition Report: Forward Madison

The Chicago Fire II’s second U.S. Open Cup match in team history – and first against a professional opponent – is tomorrow when they host Forward Madison at SeatGeek Stadium. To preview the match, we spoke with Mitchell Meerman, who covers the USL League One side. (Responses have been edited

Chicago Fire player Fabian herbers advances the ball during a soccer game against Atlanta United

Fire at Atlanta: Tactics and Starting XI

The Fire conclude their two-game tour of NFL stadiums with turf playing surfaces on Easter Sunday, in their third afternoon performance in a row. They'll face a talented Atlanta squad with a perfect record at home (2W-0D-0L). Atlanta United Overview 2023 Results: 13W-12D-9L, 51 pts, 6th in the

Chicago Fire players Koutsias, Haile-Selassie and Miguel Navarro celebrate a goal against the New England Revolution

Fire at New England: Tactics and Starting XI

On the wings of victory – and perhaps an errant wind gust – the Fire head to New England to take on an old opponent: This is the 88th regular season meeting between the Fire and the Revolution. Recent editions of this fixture have been high scoring affairs, and both teams have