#2 vs #3 IN THE EAST! Inter Miami vs Chicago Fire | HUGE Match Preview

0:00You're watching The Battered Fans Network. Peace! The Herons Achamp. Yeah. Rose, I'm the Freedom Park Rockin' Pink and Black. Official tissue in the 305, bounty full of grades. The Battered Famicrys and Dan Droppin' Hot Takes. Messy in the Herons, start the season with a star on the crest. So 29 fan bases can cry, cause we the best sign homegrown. Like Noah, Frey and Ruiz replacing goats with brains. Yeah, my God, the cheese, and he called it. Freedom, the dream was the backbone from rock art to Miami. It feels good to be at home. Multiple times a week on YouTube and audio. Take the time to subscribe, like and share the show. So check and chat, grab your MLS cup and come in. No question about it. I'm ready to get a star again. No question about it. I am ready to get hurt again. Nick? The Herons are back. Welcome everybody to episode of a 5.79 of The Better Heroes Podcast. I am your host, Daniel Goodon, and alongside me, special guest Nick from the Glass-Ousucker.

1:03How are- oh, wait, feed the fire. What's going on here? You got me lost, Nick. Nick, I'm here. Nick, I'm here. Nick, I'm here. Nick, I'm here. Nick, I'm here. Nick, I'm here. Nick, I'm here. Nick, I'm here. Nick, I'm here. You got me lost, Nick. Oh, sorry. The podcast is Feed the Fire. The full YouTube channel brand future global media empire is glass-house-hacker. I love that. I haven't quite gotten around to the global media empire part. We're gay now. Yeah. Podcast is rolling, man. Great to be back. Good to see you. Yeah, man. I love having you on here talking to some Chicago. Guys have been absent from the playoffs for the better part of the last two decades and all of a sudden you guys are a title content. So, um, this should be a fun episode and you got our boy Noah Allen, which we want to touch on also you got a big name is live in Dowski the second biggest Nate. No, I guess it would be son the best second biggest name in the league, right? No, and that's probably the third. I guess depends on who you'd ask.

2:03Like I, I mean, I think in California, I think if you're going to talk about the Asian and the Korean population. Yeah, they're going to say son, but you know, the handful of games love in Dowski's travel. He has really made an impact with the local Polish community. So I don't know. He might be the second biggest one. Um, all right. I'm going to start to with a question that anyone seen the movie combiana Nick looks like the uncle. No, I have not. But I believe you might be usually on it when it comes to his analogies and comparisons. All right. All right. I'm putting this in my in my Google results results here. Hang on. All right. Okay. What's the question? I got to look that up. Are you serious, Danny? Son? It's me. I think the one Dowski just because of the size of Asia is considered the second biggest. It's because of the size of Asia, right? It's more than that than what you're talking about. I'm not saying who's a better player. Obviously when Dowski's had a better career. I'm talking about just. You know, the impact around the globe. All right. So my question to you. You had the summer transfer window. Obviously when Dowski huge signing.

3:11You have another DPS part open and they fill it with somebody I was already on the roster. How do you feel about that? Because I have been saying all season long. If anybody here watches batter soccer fans, I've been saying. Zinc Renagol is the most underrated player in Emma less that that's been my statement all season long. And when I saw that he deserves it. But I felt like it was a little underwhelming. He was already on the roster. Give it to him in the off season. Bill, that's about somebody else that can help you contend this season. That's how I felt. What was the sort of for you and just around the fan base in general with that move? Sure. And it all goes back to the the Levantowski signing. That was the big domino. The first domino to fall here with him coming on. Kipers asking for a transfer not wanting to play second fiddle even to a striker like Levantowski that kind of got things rolling Kipers was one of the other DPs. So that left us with Levantowski and Jonathan Bomba as our two designated players. Really, the Zinc Renagol DP move was at the end of the day a roster compliance kind of a move to make sure that they could fit all the new signings and the right roster slots and designations and and be compliant to be able to go from that to DP for you 22 to a 3 DP 3 you 22.

4:31And then the scenario Noah Allen still occupies a U 22 spot for the fire. And so I think they ended up moving Puso Dittasion off of his U 22 tag. So from a compliance standpoint, it makes sense from a roster standpoint, it makes sense. But from watching Zinc Renagol's play, it makes absolute sense. The guy has been a great player two time all star. He had a 30 goal contribution season last year 15 assists. He's had a dip in production this year, but I look at it as he's having to do a lot more with with a lot less. You know, he's got a worse midfield. He has embalkazi who's injured who has really filmed a lot of holes on that back line. You've been rotating right backs between Buroso and Dean. Zinc Renagol has been the guy who's had to drop deep who's had to try to progress the offense. They've had him playing centrally. They've had him playing on the wing. Even in that Seattle game, he was playing a wingback position for a stretch just trying to get the offense going. So he's been doing a lot more than just being his winger attack self.

5:35But over the last few games, he's gotten back to that and it's shown on the scoreboard four goals against Toronto to against Seattle. So I think we're seeing a resurgence of Zinc Renagol coming up. Well, I think that he used to link up with Kuiper. It was almost automatic. And I think it's going to take some time for him to build that same rapport with Lewandowski. And I think that's fair and it's understandable. I mean, I don't think it's anything alarming. And I, for people that were criticizing the way he's looked as of late. I mean, I thought he looked good so far this year, the first half of the year. He was, he contributed a lot to Kuiper's being in the lead for Golden Boot around the time that the World Cup came around. I don't know. I was surprised that some people talked negative about it. Like I said, underwhelming technically, I understand, but deserved absolutely. Yeah. And in five goals, nine assists on the season so far. And like you said, still figuring out the finer points with playing with Lewandowski. He had to go through the same thing with Kuiper's, you know, fans tend to have short memory.

6:39Right. So we forgot that it did take him a little time to build that rapport with Kuiper's. You see the body language and the communication on the field between him and Levantowski when certain players don't get executed the way they want to. So they're just working it out like any two pros do. Yeah. And then real quick, so I could add he's still on this whole sun is not bigger than Lewandowski. Nothing is a better player, but I'm sure the following he has in Asia is bigger than the following that you have the Lewandowski. And you probably talk about the Barcelona following. I don't think people link him to Barcelona as much as, you know, as you might think, right? People saying Lewandowski, he's seen that he's spending bars. He spent the bulk of his career in Germany with with Bayern and and Bruce Dortmund. That's it. And if Salah would have come, he would have been bigger than Lewandowski also. Yeah. It's been here a little longer. The shine is a little bit worn off the new toy, I guess, from a marketing standpoint. Yeah, that's fair. That's fair. So Chicago last year didn't make the playoffs.

7:40Did make the playoffs. We ended up in the ninth season. Speed or land or play. Yeah, that's right. Yes. Flamed out to Philly. Correct. Yes. So they did make the playoffs, but barely. But this season, and I predicted that they would be better this year. I thought you guys look great. Bamba has been disappointing, but I thought that they've looked great. Your thoughts on what changed from last year to this year? So there was a much bigger focus on defense and bringing in a Bocazzi, bringing in Sam Rogers, making sure that we had Jack Elliott bringing in Joel Waterman. You know, that Elliott became the leader, became the main center back. And it was who's going to fit best with him. So they really addressed the back line. They also brought in Victor Rudolfich from Red Star Belgrade on the prior summer window, but he was injured for his half season in 2025. And really started to see some minutes in 2026, but now he's on loan off to CF Montreal for the remainder of this season. So they addressed the back line. They had a much better defensive shape, emphasis on defense and the offense just was going to continue in that next progression.

8:49And yeah, we saw it with Kuiper's leading the gold and boot race comfortably, you know, up until his transfer. So it was an emphasis on defense that really helped the Chicago fire get to the point where they're at third in the east, but also there was a little bit of a mentality shift. You know, we, I like to look and I think a lot of the fire fans like to look at segments of the season. You know, how do we, how do we look that first month? Are we going for the US Open Cup? Are we going for the league's cup? Are we going to emphasize the regular season and playoff seating? You know, we kind of look at it like that, especially a fan base who loves Open Cup. Right. But recently in press conferences and Greg Berholtz has gotten me to change my mind, my mind on things. He is instilling like we're going to go out every game and play the best game we can. And we're going to go out to win. It's a winning mentality. It is not so much. We're going to emphasize this that or the other. We are going to go out and play winning soccer each and every match. And that also has changed.

9:49And we just got to get the depth for it. And I think we've accomplished that. All right. So when you look at this Chicago side, what would you say is the biggest strength of this team? Because I thought it was the attack. I know the midfield has suffered a bit. Is the attack the strength? I think so. I think it still is in the attack that has. It's funny because I want to say that's been the emphasis, but they haven't signed any attacking players this summer, other than Levantowski. And you know, you already had Kipers, so you can make the argument that that wasn't even like a massive signing in the terms of updating your roster. Right. But I do think then that is an indicator that yes, the the offense is the strength. It is getting the ball to Levantowski. It is Zinkernoggle taking on one and two defenders at a time. It's Goodman and Dean pushing up from their outside back positions, getting into dangerous areas, linking up. It is Bomba being able to run a fast break or highly salase running a fast break or detain John running a fast break and running at defenders. So when all of us is really.

10:57Say that. Halis Alassi has been hot as of late. Oh, he's been fantastic. Right when we start to look at him as potential weak spot on the roster. The guy rattles off like four goals in five games or something like that and is playing out of his mind. So. And I think honestly he's probably been the fire player that's had the most production from goals and assists since his signing was at four, maybe five years ago. From from the sister club, Lugano. So he has been very, very consistent and above average consistent for the fire. So I think the offense is the strength. And obviously then the flip side is the defense has suffered a little through injuries through some rotating players, but also because our defensive midfielders, I think, are very much underperforming this season. What I mean, I think Goopman is one of the best left backs in the league hands down. So I thought it was odd that Noah Allen was being talked about linked to Chicago. And I came on here and I said it has to be that they're considering him as a center back.

12:01And that's what Miami should have done. Now, is that what what what what what you guys looking at Noah Allen, not that he's there. Is he going to be playing against a minute to center back? I haven't heard anything directly from the club that they're saying he's going to be a center back, but they have suggested that his utility has been a reason why they wanted to sign him the fact that he can play left back and give Goodman a spell. I mean, Goodman's an iron man, but at some point you get tired and I think he played 90 against Toronto. So I could see Noah Allen starting as the left back. I can see him starting as left center back with Goodman starting as as the left back. So the fire really liked Allen's utility and it's come out that for the last three years or so they've been pursuing Noah Allen and and he's been a transfer target for them. So they're finally able to get him and I think the fire look at it as we got a guy that we have targeted who who is a great player or could be a great player in this league already.

13:05Good player and and we're going to integrate him. We're going to figure it out. We've also seen Burhalter use a three five two system before when needed like against the Miami team who likes to fly up the middle of the field likes to send guys forward in the attack. So having that utility is a huge benefit to how Greg Burhalter likes likes to coach. So and Nick himself is Greek by the way, Mr. Krabs because we've been talking about Noah Allen are our boy on the show every time Nick comes on. So so now you got him. Is there a big presence of of Greek fans that are looking forward to watching no Island. They absolutely the Greek community in Chicago they love soccer and they love supporting their own. That's for sure. So the fact that we have now a Greek American on the team the Greek community is behind him. It's it's fun to be able to talk about that. You know it's we had to push this as the backup striker and we had a Greek night game and we turned out there were Greeks all over the place for that match.

14:16They did a meet and greet with Klopas and Kuzias after that match. Everyone broke out singing the Greek national anthem and Greek songs. It was I mean it turned into a party in this little meet and greet afterward. So it's awesome. The Greek fans will turn out that's for sure. It's it's just a matter of how are we going to get tickets from all the Polish fans who have been buying them since the beginning of the summer. That's going to be the trick. But no, we're we're thrilled to have no Alan. I think he's going to be a great player for the fire. I mean the one thing I wanted to ask you about him. There's there's a rumor that started that the fire are going to purchase him at the end of the season. We were pretty much assured of that. Right. But then they're just going to turn around and flip him to like Olympiacos or some other club in Europe that he's been linked to going to play in Greece for the last few years. I heard the whole Chicago thing for the last few years, but I had heard him going to play in Greece for the last few years for Olympiacos or that's only club. I know in Greece, but I've been hearing that that's been the rumor and that's what I my understanding was that he didn't want to go to another MLS team.

15:23If he was going to get moved from Miami, he's like I want to stay in Miami. And if I don't. I've got in Miami. I kind of want to go to Europe. Now, I don't know if he wants to go play in Greece or a bigger league. I don't know, but that's my understanding. He wanted to either stay in Miami or go to Europe. But this is American sports and for those that are not aware, you just get sent somewhere and you just got to go. So that's the way it kind of works here, which I'm sure people don't like. Yeah, and he's doing the right thing, saying the right things this far in Chicago, you know, I had a good outing against Toronto for the most part and, you know, we'll see where he ends up because a lot of fire fans are thinking, hey, this is a really good move. But for a reported $3 million purchase fee, like that seems like a lot, like you said, to get a backup left back, yeah, or to kind of get a third second or third center back. So that seems to lend itself to the rumor of the fire are going to turn around and sell him for profit. Do you believe in Sam Rogers? No, me either.

16:24I don't. I mean, that's why I thought that he would be filling that spot. But then you have two left footed center backs. So I wasn't sure how that would work either. Could Jack Elias left footed? No, I think I think so. I mean, the guy can be can play with both feet, especially at this level. I guess, you know, if you're going to have two left footed center backs, you can also have two right footed center backs. So you're still unbalanced to one side or the other side of the deal that is unless you want to press a certain side if you're the opposing team. But as far as Sam Rogers, when he first came over, he was on the fringes of the US men's national team. I think he had one call up and maybe one appearance with the senior team. So he knew Burrhalter. And I think Burrhalter brought him in said, OK, here's a guy. I know him. He can play decently enough at the MLS level to help kind of be a stop. Yeah. To help fix a few things on the defense, give us a little depth. That was my analysis of this move. And he has become a much more integral player for the team than I would have liked to see.

17:32He gets caught out of position. He gets caught making bad fouls. He gets caught behind the play. He does have his positive moments, but I. I'm not sure if I've got to go on as your Rogers. There you go. I would have preferred us to bring Christopher Cups and give him more minutes rather than see him loaned out to a second of vision Scottish team, which is better than MLS next pro. But I'd rather have him in MLS. Yeah. All right. So first anybody watching the game for the first time. By the way, this is a big game. Second team in the East, third team in the East, right? Second and third seeds. And Miami is ahead of Chicago by five points, but Chicago has a game in hand. So Chicago wins this game all of a sudden. They're only behind by two points with one game in hand, which basically almost puts them like if you want to give them those three points in the lead. So this is a huge game for both teams as far as positioning goes in the Eastern Conference. Chris and I were talking on our members only show this morning about how. And we were asking the people are watching live in the morning. I guess we said we would ask tonight.

18:37If people would be interested in a watch along because I don't know if people actually like those. But then Chris said people love those. So we were considering it. So I don't know if people would actually be up for a watch along for tomorrow's game because tomorrow's a big game. And it's on the road. So we won't be at stadium. Well, I know how much people love the Apple TV broadcast teams. So I think that's why the watch along. They're so popular as well. But yeah, man, maybe I'll have to join you from the stadium for a couple of minutes. So you're, yes, of course you're going. You're going to be over there. Is the stadium sold out? That's what I'm hearing. It's a Wednesday night. So you know those games. You play a 10 night. Levantowski V Messi. The two greatest ever to you know all that marketing. That's why I'm really glad that you said like this is a big game from a standings perspective from an Eastern Conference perspective. So that's what I think is getting lost in all of the league marketing of Levantowski versus Messi is that no, this is a huge game from a league perspective. So I appreciate your time.

19:40Absolutely. It's huge marketing wise. Playoff implication wise. Like there's so many things going into tomorrow night's game that we're like, man, we should do watch along just because we're going to be watching it at home anyway. So let us know in the comments after the fact that if you're watching live now, if you'll be up for it because if you are, then maybe we'll go ahead and do it. So for anybody doing the watch. There is no curse, Rick, there is no curse. We were talking about that on the membership only this morning also because we've done watch long where they've won. But of course, we've also lost some. So people don't remember the losses. They forget that we've actually watched some wins also. Yeah, for anybody watching the game. Okay, from Chicago. For anybody watching the game tomorrow. Could you give us a name of somebody we should look out for that maybe isn't a household name. Let's see, non household name guy to watch out for. So we we've had some. We brought in four new players not counting Levantowski. We brought in four new players at the end of the transfer window.

20:45And so I think one of the guys you got to look out for that might not be the household name is one of those transfers. Johann Gomez. So he's he's an American player, which great move from a roster compliance standpoint, bringing a domestic guy who's been playing in the second Bundesliga. So he's he's a guy that burr halters had his eye on for a while. So I think he can help unlock some of that offense from a central midfield B that attacking midfielder that Brian Gutierrez was last season that Andre Franco was supposed to be the season before he got injured. Johann Gomez could help unlock that if he's given, you know, say a full 90 behind Levantowski next to Zinkernagel. He could be the guy, the other player who so detégion. If you see him starting on the wing, he's starting to get a little bit more of a following around MLS, another bright young South African player. He's a guy that some fans are saying is going to push Jonathan Bomba to the bench despite his DP tag because he's a much more aggressive winger.

21:48Now that aggressiveness and that willingness to take on guys one on one could work centrally as well. So look for where Gomez is playing. Look for where detégion is playing and how they can impact the game from possibly that attacking center mid position. How does Greg Burhol to have you guys playing you guys play a high line do you guys press counter press you guys defend like what is more or less what could we expect to see because if it's a if it's a low block we have a hard time breaking those down and then if you're playing the counter with I mean I don't know, Levantowski I can't imagine is very fast to be dangerous in the counter but you guys Salasi and other weapons like what could we expect to see from Chicago tomorrow. Sure there I mean there's a few different ways that that they can approach this. Burhol doesn't seem to be married to any one particular style of play game in and game out though he does like to use his 433 he does like to push his wing backs forward he does like to have that

22:50have that loan striker up top and and really provide service but we we saw in the game against Toronto that Salasay and detégion when they were in ward we're pushing a little higher up and we have heard. I think it was at a press conference with Zincar nogle this week that he did mention being able to play on the counter against Miami so that is something it sounds like that that they have been working on if not just for this game but for the last couple of games to be able to spring that counter attack you're right Levantowski hasn't shown a lot of breakaway speed but he can do it he can still make one or two runs like that though he definitely is more as kind of a target striker those slashing runs you know the slashing 8 10 yard runs kind of guy at this point so yeah they can they're probably going to look to counter they're probably going to look to clog up that that center of the pitch wouldn't surprise me to see a three center back system especially with Alan now getting acclimated to the way we do things here with the fire so that that's what I would say is kind of my base now we'll see what kind of adjustments they make you know

23:57the fire if the fire go down early then they're going to be sending some of those wing backs even even higher up the field they will be counter pressing they do like to have a higher back line we saw him get in trouble against Toronto having some mixed communications who's passing off runners especially on that corner piece Toronto did a real nice set piece short corner fire defenders said wait are we still in zonal marking or we're going back to man to man they played it short what do we do so those kind of things could catch the fire off fire defense off guard but but yeah I think to begin you'll see a three center back clogged the middle and then look to break on the counter I like that great burheltter said that he's going to pick no islands brain about inter Miami even though he said I already know what they do like everybody knows what they do but I'm still going to pick his brain so I think that's interesting I mean it's fair play but that is how you be made you clogged the middle you make life difficult for me to want to receive the ball you clogged the midfield and then you force them out wide because we don't have white players we don't have white playmakers you don't have people that can deliver the ball into the box consistently you have an e in

25:04fray that isn't necessarily great across in the ball he'll work the ball in dribbling on the touch line and like a low cross but he's not going to deliver an aerial threat on the left side I know Adam was doing this in java rachion is always injured so it'll be a kai say though probably which is an 18 year old that's played three professional games up until now so you can expect him pushing up too much and doing much damage so if you clogged the middle and you make life difficult for messy to touch the ball there you go and that that's what it takes to stop us now and occasions like that we have benefited off the counter and that's what we have to try to do but again our speed up top is necessarily the greatest either so Miami is going to have a tough time with this game they're going to have a tough time and like you said that if you go down you will adjust I haven't seen the same from Hoyos and oils is probably going to be on the sideline tomorrow because our new coach which is keely a I don't think he has the work from me like I haven't heard anything about him being available anytime soon so

26:08then interesting place that Miami finds himself in but with all that said all you need is a little messy magic and it's going to happen right yeah and I know you're kind of switching coaches but like you said with a guy like messy on the pitch like he can make everything work he can calm the team down he can be the coach on the field if he really needs to I think so I'm not going to give too much credit to any coaching discrepancy out there actually I'm more interested in hearing about your goalkeeper has is it Dane St. Claire now is he the guy last time we spoke we're back and forth between rock oh and St. Claire and who knows we were back and forth it was Chris that was pushing that rock one narrative Chris unfortunately hasn't been able to do it again he's still on his way home he had a long day so he wasn't he said he might jump on if he gets some time but I doubt it he's kind of succumbed to the fact that rock will won't be the start anymore saying Claire got benched in the World Cup because everybody thought that he was going to be the starter for Canada he ended up losing that job he got benched in the World Cup and then he came back to MLS and he lost his job here also so a bit of humble pie he went ahead he took off his little blonde hair

27:23he just went straight like you know what I'm just going to be about the business and since he's come back he's played much better has it been perfect no but to be honest with you I don't think anybody will look very good as a keeper on this team just because the other teams get so many opportunities so many one on one counter opportunities that is difficult to hold a clean sheet and then there's a lot of errors got some eels been playing center back for us and in my opinion he hasn't looked good he has not looked good he had an own goal a couple of weeks ago in Columbus on this past Saturday he had what almost was an own goal and think he was able to block it but then it rebounded to Almirone and I'm going to put it away so there's been a lot of defensive errors file corn which is our are the center back next to Casamiro they're both the slow as molasses and file corn just miss reads so much he makes such bad decisions he goes and he and he will he'll mark the wrong guy leave somebody just running wild behind them against this is not this after it's just that's it the defense has been terrible with all that said I never count the marches because of the messy magic

28:33yeah the you guys know how to win that that's the other thing regardless of the game state up a goal down a goal level you guys know how to win and that's what Chicago is trying to develop what worries me about Chicago is in this last three games three straight draws they have had to come back against Seattle and Toronto to earn a draw and they have conceded late to Red Bulls and Toronto so those things are are concerning for me if they can kind of get over that hump and get to where Miami is with that mentality then yeah then you got to think Chicago is going to be an MLS cup contender then they've shown they can score they've shown they can defend now it's put it all together with the winning mentality I do have to chuckle a little bit because I was on with the guys of TFC unplugged prior to Chicago's match up with them over the weekend and they were just like you guys are going to come and roll us were horrible this blah blah blah now I hear you saying like I don't know about this match up

29:38am I bringing out the worst in everybody here is just a bad personality trade of mine like I'm really excited I think it's going to be a great match up I think it'll be a fun I definitely think it'll be fun I just I don't know there's so much uncertainty with our with missing players we're missing wings all our wings are either injured or no they're all injured yeah Sylvetti's injured again this injured we have our center backs that are injured with Mikhail which is our best one and Luhan we have our left back which we just delivered to you on a platter and then the one that's supposed to be a start is also injured so I don't it's a lot of uncertainty here but with that said Nick you've come on here before and you've let us know that you are a degenerate gambler so let's say you put the house on Miami but whatever reason you put the house on Miami and obviously tomorrow you regret it so you make your way to soldier field which by the way at some point will end up being in Indiana terrible

30:38or or will the Chicago fire just call that their home only is that is that we're building our new stadium so it's very possible soldier field has no tenant in the next couple of three years yeah that's crazy all right so you make your way to soldier field you find oils and you whisper in his ear this is how you beat Chicago what are you telling him? find you need to you need to pull solatros or dovola out of position our our demons you know I in the past I've said you know make sure the wing backs are our pin back so go go pick on either Rogers or Dean but if you can pull one of the two demons, solatros or dovola out of position either solatros coming up to try and generate on offense or stepping up and having to shift over and cover an overload or covering someone who's passed off if you can pull him up out of position

31:46so dovola is very slow and he is slow to react you can get lots of space in front of that back line if solatros is up and out of position so however you do that whether you overload a little on his side or you overload on on good men and then for solatros to come over do you bring more numbers into the middle of yourself and and play some great combination ball I think ultimately hoping that salasse stays further up that the attacking mid stays further up to try to spring a counter so you get solatros out of position jadavila is too slow to react you find some space and start pepper and shots from right around the edge of the 18 I was crazy ready been looking you know he said good and bad I think he's the Toronto game I went back and did a full breakdown just released my video today of each of the four goals that were let in and really he probably could have done a little better on each of them but I don't think he's stopping any of them anyway far post curlers from inside the 18 just sergeant hat trick two of the three goals are within 10 yards so the numbers are a little deceiving you know on his goals allowed based and how his performances he's given up a lot more goals than his performance and his skill level would suggest

33:11where he's really struggled and if you want to take advantage of this if the fire defense is playing a really high line where Brady is struggling is making those defensive runs outside of the box if he has to come 20 yards out 25 yards out because in opposing players on through and a through on a long ball he's having a real hard time reading those situations his credit once he commits he's in he you never see Chris Brady come like halfway out and oh but when he comes out he comes all the way out and you can take advantage of that. That's a very common thing that we've been dealing with over here because we play such a high line that we need a sweeper keeper and Rocco found himself in some really bad situations which is how he lost his job and that's right the last time we played you guys was the horrible basic or that was the goal that was that was terrible that was the first couple minutes back from the world cup break.

34:17Yeah I wasn't going to bring it up to you I figure you know you wanted to talk about it I'd let you initiate the conversation but you ultimately won the game so you know he got you got bailed out by his teammates by by what did I say as long as Suarez doesn't have a throwback game the fire should win it. Suarez goes out and scores to because Messi didn't play that game. No he did not he I really he better play tomorrow otherwise I do. He'll be right since he'll play he'll play it'll actually it'll play my first time actually seeing him I have a cool messy live the first two times he came to Chicago he was injured didn't play and then last year I think it was my palm Sunday so we were in church all morning and then with doing family and church stuff all afternoon so I haven't gotten a seat. I haven't gotten a seat messy yet so I'm looking forward to that I will tell you that there's this that aura is real like I don't. I don't like I got a lot of sporting events I see obviously a lot of athletes not like just on the court of the field and I don't know when you just see him on the it's different I don't know it's maybe star like everybody like it's almost it's almost.

35:25Everybody agrees greatest of all time in this sport that's been around forever some people say no but the majority of people like the guy that you're watching right now is the greatest all time at the biggest sport in the world that's been around for two centuries basically and he's right in front of you and it's kind of crazy when you watch and that's crazy that guy that that he is that guy it's cool. That's awesome because I mean I I experienced that as a kid I got to see Jordan play and you know the moment he walks on the court you're right to the whole vibe in the stadium changes and everything changes and what's going to be really cool tomorrow for the pre game kind of hype thing that the Chicago fire do it's called sound the alarm and they have a Chicago athlete actor famous person come and pull a giant fire alarm that sets off alarms around the stadium. It's and fireworks go off fire shoots around. It's a cool kind of hype hype move that they do none other there grows Patrick Kane all Patrick Kane so there's going to be some greatness in that building even before messy and Levantowski take the pitch so hopefully a little bit of that champion for those that aren't away he's a hockey player.

36:44You played that's right. Yes. Three times Stanley Cup winner with Chicago. I don't think he's won since he's left but he's still got it. Yeah and I absolutely so that's very cool. Yeah. All right so I guess this prediction time. So Chicago comes in. How you guys been as of late in the Chicago three three draws four four to TFC two to Seattle one one Red Bulls all the way and then I lost finally back home and I lost a month of rage a sprinkle in there. Oh yeah did that happen tonight. Don't miss that. Sorry. Just thinking league games. So what are you thinking? I like that we're home. I like that Miami has a thinner roster. I like that we have no Allen on our side of the field now but there's going to be goals even it was at Berhalter is Inkernoggle who said it this week like there are going to be goals in this game I think was Berhalter so that being said I'm going to say three to Chicago victory.

37:52Three to Chicago victory. Oh wait I think that I honestly I'm about to stop watching until Messi shows the team to a soccer one of the build a real team. This is a joke. That's how Miami feels. Miami fans are feeling. Three zero to Chicago three one Chicago. Can you get the vibes for three Chicago. I think I think all your regulars I was pushing the show you know I was telling my people come on out tonight and support it but wow loving this dude this is great. I think we lose due to two unfortunately we haven't hit rock bottom yet. Four one Chicago and all you says it was okay. Yeah. We went to we are tired of his that coach he says a line doesn't say a thing at the same time three to Chicago. It's this is brutal so I don't think anybody's busy with my amy to win. I also don't see Miami winning I don't see them losing though I think it's going to be a draw Miami's been drawing a lot of late and so has Chicago so I feel like it's almost written in the stars right Miami.

38:52I think it's a draw in Atlanta terrible they lost late against Toronto and they drew against Philadelphia and you have that seven to one. Asking a Montreal sprinkled in there by like it's Montreal a holy cares. Yeah that kind of blew my mind watching just how clinical Miami was in that game and then all the matches around it it was they were struggling for points. So I'm not sure what to expect I know Miami has that switch they can flip I know they're their floors better than most teams ceilings but where they're going to come in at and I'm hoping the fire can run away with you know get an early goal and see the win out three to two. So I'm with Mr. Crabbs I think it's going to be a two to draw and it's going to be entertaining but it will be a two to draw so that's my guess I think it's going to be a draw and it's going to be entertaining and hopefully Noah Island scores ago. I know some people's amazing that I shouldn't be hoping that Chicago player scores but I love no Alan I hope I hope it's very well. Hey you're all time appearance leader that was a fact that I had to like triple check just to make sure that was accurate.

39:57He is yeah he is he started last year he was a the starter at center back for most of the last season he was the starter or every playoff game in the championship game like he's been a big time player for us so it sucks to see him go but yeah. Yeah whatever makes a wide Danny no I know I should try to get it if I can throw something your way here Danny on stadium etiquette and fan etiquette here because my I'm bringing my 10 year old son to see you know his idle messy play and he goes I can't wait I'm going to be decked out in my full messy Miami kit at this game. And I said that I'm leaving you at home dude we're fire fans and we're playing at home so you want to wear your messy shorts that's the furthest I'll go with it but you're wearing your Chicago fire top to this game. Where would you fall on something like that. That's hard to say just because I don't know if it's like a Jordan or a little brown I think a little brown I think would be I guess except for my kid wanted to also messy like those are like unless like you see him all the time like oh it's like the fourth or fifth time I see him out of you know we're going to see him next year again but like if this might be the only time he ever sees him.

41:15Yeah I don't think I would I would matter too much I mean like who knows we don't we've been talking on the show about the possibility of messy retiring after the season. So they extended him what another year and a half yeah but he retired from international football he had an open letter to his dad social media saying that he doesn't know how much how much longer he wants to play after his passing you know when you when you're grieving you know you you you you have strong emotions and maybe. You know Jordan retired and said my dad watched me what play my last game and eventually he came back so maybe you will play past the season but it's no longer I was almost like certain like he'll be playing here so twenty twenty eight but since he retired into international football and the whole sad thing the dad think we're like you know he might he might he might hang him up after the season so yes I would let your son where because yeah I think that's my season that's print season is thrown a lot of people's schedules off. I agree I agree so yeah so you don't know if you'll ever see him again so if that's his idol yeah I definitely would give him the chance to just deck out just make sure you don't sit by the supporters I.

42:25No we're not we're not the supporters section you know I'm trying not to tell him like hey dude I do a Chicago fire podcast like people kind of know me a little bit I don't think it's a good look for us I don't I don't want to put him in in my PR world over here but I'm like come on man you can't spot him. Come on man you can't spot the whole team always. No it's messy look I much rather him show up in enter Miami Jersey today game one time then to see what I've seen like when we played US Open Cup final against Houston I remember I saw people wearing a Houston Diamond Dynamo kit and he said messy 10 on the back. I think that's terrible like I much rather just throw on the enter Miami Jersey my guy like don't put messy on the back of a Houston Diamond that's that's weird. Yeah I think it's very game just because it's messy. Yeah I don't know if I can get there I don't think you should have bought it to begin with. Well it was he goes can I get a messy or a Ronaldo jersey and I'm like okay you can see we're gonna go messy here yeah that was the one thing but he he knows how to get what he wants right mom and dad don't need to be buying him stuff.

43:34He goes straight to grandma he goes straight to his godparents man he opens his Easter basket and boom there's the messy Lego kit and the messy jersey and I'm like alright. All this one. The smaller one that's the one he's got. Yeah my son built both of these. So yeah. Alright well Nick as always appreciate you jumping on let everyone know they could find you if they want some more Chicago and Lewandowski talk. Yeah follow along the Feed the Fire podcast wherever you get your podcast as well as the glass house soccer YouTube channel. And if anyone wants to take the conversation offline you can always email me glasshouse soccer at gmail.com. So does he have an Argentine or Barcelona kick that's a happy medium no he's got the Argentinian kid. That's a happy medium kind of. I'm gonna sleep on it but I don't think I'm gonna change but I have never allowed my son to buy a messy Argentinian.

44:39Really as a Colombian it's just not something you can get behind. Sorry I can't buy you another country's a kid sorry. That's fair. You want some Barcelona you can get the Barcelona you're not getting an Argentine you're not walking around with an Argentine. I'm sorry. I had my college girlfriend and we're probably getting into some. Time to watch your. Yeah treacherous water my college girlfriend did something and she's like oh I screwed up. I was in Mexico on vacation and brings me back a Mexico jersey or Rafah Marquez jersey to try to make up for it. Cause you know I'm a soccer fan. Just gonna back that jersey has sat in my bottom the bottom of my bottom for for 15 years. You're right I get it I'm not gonna ever put that up. No I can't wear another country's kit. Oh I'm lying I take that back there is two kids that I bought that were from another country and it's something weird in Colombia.

45:40We we admire Brazilians a lot for some reason in Colombia. I don't know a second thing we love the way they play. They're very similar to us they like to party whatever. And I when I growing up obsessed with R9 Ronaldo the original Ronaldo the better Ronaldo in my opinion and R10 Ronaldo. Two guys maybe it's because I was younger so it was a felt different. But I still look back at that time and I admire those two so much that I have a Brazilian R9 and I have a or Nalini so. That's it and then I never did it again but that's it that's it that's as far as me wearing another country's kid goes. I I wear other countries kids but definitely not Mexico that like to me that's that's the line I had really I had my Iceland jersey on earlier today. I've got a couple Australian jerseys. It's a family down under but you know I when it comes to game day when it comes to like being in the stadium when it comes to support my team. Yeah definitely it's the US Jersey it's the Chicago fire jersey nothing nothing else.

46:42Hey I'm with you man I like I said I um I can't do those are Jersey especially that's Argentina one. The Argentina brought plenty of paint to Colombia so we're not doing that. There you go. Oh I love your guy here is Sean Callahan asking why my team is all city. It is not whole city if I if I have to stay. The thing is Chris because we've been trying to get Chris to watch European soccer like pick up your team pick anything. He shows up on the show yesterday we're in a whole city kid. What the hell are you doing? He's like this is my team. How do you choose whole city? But that's what I think the whole city think of them. Oh that's pretty funny. Truth truth be told I follow Everton and not not religiously but they would be my premier league team. I since Tim Howard and his time there is you know loved watching Shamist Coleman that was when I was really getting in the Premier League at that time.

47:44And there was no way I was going to say oh I'm new to the Premier League. I'm definitely going to be a Chelsea or Man United fan like there's no way I could do that. Well Everton's been been my team to follow despite the heartache which fits my Chicago sports. But Everton like it's like the Clippers of Liverpool. The Clippers had some good season. I never thought about it like that. That hurts. That hurts. That's rough. All right Nick as always you're awesome appreciate you hanging out with us well with me because Chris never made it on everybody is watching live appreciate it. I know we've been going on a little later than usual but my schedule keeps getting worse and worse with the kids soccer and everything but I appreciate everybody that joined this live. And then we watching after the fact let us know if you guys would be up for a watch long because we're considering doing it for tomorrow. If you're listening on audio appreciate you distance to the empty if I started in a comment for watching on YouTube like subscribe and we'll be back tomorrow night for the post game.

48:47And I guess that possibly a watch along so make sure you let us know until the next one have a good one.