Though they haven’t been known as the Burn since pre-2005, Dallas and the Fire have shared a special type of rivalry. Obviously not a geographical one (as anyone on either side who have ever made the long trek can attest to), but a rivalry nonetheless. Unfortunately though, except for a handful of original supporters, a rivalry which is hovering on life support, waiting for the plug to be pulled.

In the dark days of MLS (i.e. 2001), a cup was created between the Fire and the Burn, awarded to the team that wins the season series between the two teams. Aptly named The Brimstone Cup, it has had a decidedly one-sided ownership since its creation, with Chicago winning it in its inaugural year due to a postseason tiebreaker in the playoffs, and Dallas winning it outright since (with two minor exceptions: 2003 the teams were tied, and did not meet in postseason nor in the USOC, so Dallas retained the trophy, and 2005 Dallas won the tie in a USOC match).

As if these stats weren’t disappointing enough, the Fire have not won a road opener since 2002, and have not won away at Dallas since 1999…

At the risk of sounding like a loathable loser from the northside, I truly believe this year is the year we bring the Brimstone Cup home. While the Fire haven’t made many big moves in the offseason, it’s because they have, as has been reiterated ad nauseum from the rest of the soccer blog community, the deepest team in the league. With the exception of a few draft pick signings (Baggio Husidic, Stefan Dimitrov), and a veteran defender Tim Ward (filling in for an injured Brandon Prideaux), the core of the team is the same that challenged for the Supporter’s Shield, took 3rd overall in the league (second in the conference), and made it deep into the playoffs only to be beaten by the MLS Champion Crew, who let’s face it, no one could beat last year. Hell, Chicago could split the team right down the middle and be able to field two separate, but no less quality, soccer teams this year. And yeah, it all sounds good in theory sure, but when will we know if it works in practice?

Tonight.

Blanco is still suffering from a knock on his knee earlier in the pre-season, and is a longshot to start today, so DH will be fielding a faster, if not as visually stunning, team. My prediction:

—————————Busch———————-

–Ward—-Soumare——–Brown —-Segares

———Thorrington—————–Conde——–

–Pappa————————————–Mapp–

————–McBride————–Rolfe————–

Reports out of training camp was that Rolfe has been sick, sick enough to be sent home for a while to recouperate, but hopefully he will be strong enough to start this match. If not, there’s Nyarko waiting in the wings who has had some definite spark for the team lately as well. He showed a few moments of brilliance last year, but now he’s been with the Fire for a full season and full pre-season, studying under the tutilage of Brian McBride who has also had more time to gel with the team. That, combined with the projected temperature in Dallas being around 72°F at matchtime, gives me a good feeling about tonight.

Arriaga’s prediction:       Fire 2-1 Dallas

Bariaga’s prediction:        Fire 2-1 Dallas

Don’t forget, if you can’t follow the match live on TV, visit our Twitter page for live match updates and highlights.

Yep, we Tweet now. Follow us on Twitter for update notifications, as well as live match tracking for Fire matches, and a whole bunch of other nonsense.

http://www.twitter.com/YCIR

So the MLS season is a short 12 days away, which means it’s time for us to get off our asses and start writing on here again. We’ve got big things planned for this year. Weekly pre and post game analysis of Fire matches, the odd commentary on foreign leagues, and plenty of miscellaneous bric-a-brac to keep us (and hopefully you as well) mildly entertained. Pretty lofty goals for two guys who can barely remember to bathe on a regular basis…

L.A.'s Galaxy will have one less star in 2009.

It has been a fairly uneventful offseason, domestically speaking, with the exception being the clusterfuck in America’s asshole (i.e. Los Angeles). The “will-he-or-won’t-he” David Beckham soap opera appears to finally be coming to an end with a deal reported to be struck between the Gals and the Rossoneri (which I still think sounds like a drug for erectile dysfunction). Essentially what is “supposed” to happen (and I mean that very loosely, as nothing ever plays out how it’s supposed to in this league) with Mr. Spice is that he will play out the rest of the Serie A campaign in Milan, then rejoining L.A. 17 games into the season just in time to collect his final round of Boos before buying out the remaining time on his contract with the roll of cash he keeps tucked in his armani tighty whiteys, before hightailing it back to the San Siro. While this may give creedance to the global view of MLS as a bush-rate feeder league who is able to be pushed around by the powers that be of European football, the real victims here are the nation’s thrift stores who will soon be inundated with thousands of Herbalife™ 23 jerseys, which were bought at upwards of $70, but sold for 98¢ (49¢ if you go on ½ price Wednesdays). Keep your chin up though Salvation Army and Goodwill, just keep them in a giant box by the busted appliances, they make great dishtowels!

The other big (again… depending on what you consider big) news out of LA-LA land is the Gal’s favorite balding son will be returning this coming season. That’s right, you heard it here last, Landycakes swings  and misses for the third time in das Bundesliga, striking out and returning to the good ol’ U.S. of A (the only country in which Primadononvan seems to score). It’s a sad state of affairs when “the best current American soccer player” is still playing domestically and a good majority of his USMNT teammates are off in various parts of the world on prestigious teams. Granted, only a handful of them are dressing, and even less actually making an appearance on the pitch, but at least they’re out there living the dream. Maybe he should just go Ebbsfleet United style, use his own cash to buy a financially struggling 4th or 5th tier team, and sign himself. Though he still wouldn’t be granted any playing time. Americans don’t play soccer well you know.

No picture for this post, because I can’t stand looking at that growth on Eddie Gaven’s face.

Attention:John Harkes

Temo Blanco is not the only player who dives in MLS.  Does he dive…a lot?  Yes, and even as a Fire fan I can safely say it’s annoying at the very least.

As a commetator, you are paid to be impartial.  To call Eddie Gaven’s supreme acts of flopping a “slight embellishment” while discussing Blanco’s apparent high center of gravity and saying thing like “it really takes away from the positive aspects of his game,” is a disgrace.

And Blanco’s bitching and moaning didn’t even result in a goal.

Can I make myself anymore clear?  White people dive too.  English people dive.  Americans dive.  Get fucking used to it, and maybe call it what it is.

Oh, and if anyone else want’s Eddie’s phone number and address…see me after class.

Ugly little cunt.

Whoops!

What are the odds this makes major news on any site other than Football365, who seem to have a solid head on their collective, proverbial, adjective shoulders?  And even then, someone is going to write some inane column or letter in defense of this garbage.

The fact is, Gerrard is English, and plays for Liverpool.  He’s also a bit thick.  And a bit of a cunt.  But it’s those first two that matter most.

You get xenophobia in pretty much every league in the world, but England (and Spain I guess, let’s be fair here) seem to have a real knack for a widespread, almost institutionalized distrust of the “foreign influence” on the game.

As an aside, make a mental list of, maybe, the 25 best Prem players ever.  There’s your “foreign influence” right there.

But, to so many in England, it seems that playacting, cheating, diving, faffing about, and what have you, are all strictly within the domain of the foreign players. Steven Gerrard, that Scouse bastard that he is, has proven time and time again that this is a world disease.

Obviously, diving needs to stop.  But the blind eye it seems that “Stevie G” gets from so many sections of the English media needs to stop too.

…Oh, and I guess this post means I’m back.  Again.

roja, BLANCO, y verde

Tonight marks Blanco’s return to international duty the Mexican National Team. Sven-Göran Eriksson has given the nod to Blanco for tonight’s World Cup qualifier against Honduras, edging him ever closer to his illustrious 100th cap.

Is this a pity gift to a player who is clearly entering the twilight of his career, or does Sven honestly believe Temo has enough gas left in the tank to be effective on a global stage for El Tri? It seems teams in the MLS have finally figured out how to contain him as of late while playing for the Fire. Mostly by fouling him repeatedly, though his penchant for divery certainly feeds right into it, and draws plenty of set pieces. However, most go unconverted, and as a result Blanco is without a single point since the 2-1 loss to D.C. United on June 7th. If you do the math folks, that’s a whopping 10 games (not including his MVP worthy performance in the MLS All-Start match vs. West Ham United).

Will wearing the Mexican badge pump some new life into those old legs? Will he dazzle fans once again with back heel passes and acrobatic antics? Will he even get off the bench?

We shall see.

Regrettably I forgot to mention a few things about the game the other day. In an outstanding show of solidarity, D.C. United’s supporter section, La Barra Brava, put aside petty rivalries to support Section 8 and their crusade for justice by not only doing a Section 8 chant at the outset of the game, but a Sector Latino chant later as well.

Supporters from Portland’s USL Division 1 team, the Timbers (who, as we all know, should have gotten the nod for MLS expansion over the Sounders. I mean really… Drew Carey and a marching band? who the fuck thought that was what the league needed?), created and displayed the banner shown above at a recent match to show they stand shoulder to shoulder with us as well. (Rumor has it there’s another in the works which reads something along the lines of “Blanco Eat A Dick In A Fire” teehee)

Also, though there have not been any physical manifestations (as of yet anyway), ESC supporters have been discussing our plight on their message boards as well, and many have professed their sympathy (or empathy as it may be, given their own history of abuse at the hands of security) as well.

Pure class. All of you. (even if your clubs are shit)

Apparently it’s not enough that our Front Office has turned on us, now even one of our own players, a player we have elevated to Godlike status in Chicago, despite his penchant for diving, whining, and tantrums on the field, is blaming us for the racist actions of security.

Chicago Tribune Article

A crowd of 19,742 was on hand, although the atmosphere hardly reflected the attendance in the first half. The Fire’s notoriously raucous supporters group, Section 8, was relatively quiet in the first 45 minutes. The silence was part of a protest against Monterrey Security, which Section 8 is accusing of racist behavior toward Hispanic fans.

As had been predetermined, Section 8 spent the second half standing and cheering as it usually does.

“The fans are [garbage],” said an annoyed Blanco, who blames fans for friction with security. “They get drunk and become insulting. It’s the same way in Mexico. I don’t think security has anything to do with it.”

The national anthem ends, and as everyone else in the stadium sits down to settle into watching a nice game of soccer, raucous fans piled into the Harlem End spring to life, jumping up and down on benches, clapping and singing to the rumbling beat of a bass drum, hoping that with their sheer volume over the next 90+ minutes, they can will goals, and ultimately the W, out of the 11 men on the field clad in red with a single white stripe.

This is the usual scene at Toyota Park from the (in)famous Section 8 Chicago. But not tonight. Picture instead, this scene:

The national anthem ends, and as everyone else in the stadium sits down to settle into watching a nice game of soccer, absolutely no noise emanates from the Harlem End. In complete silence, 4 black banners unfurl across the two sections, one in English, one in Spanish, but both baring the same message: Fire – Stop The Racism. These banners are soon snatched away by Monterrey Security, the very perpetrators that were the spark that ignited the fuse of this protest, who are bombarded by a hail of “Culero!” (roughly translated from Spanish into “Asshole”) finally, but only briefly, breaking the deafening silence that had enveloped the stadium. For the next 25 minutes, nothing happens. Section 8 remains quietly in their seats, clapping now and then for a good play on the field, but regaining composure quickly and staying true to their word. Anxious fans on either side of the stadium try to start their own chants to fill the void left by the lack of vocal support that has been such a mainstay at these games, but, for better or worse, each attempt fails. At about the 26th minute, a group of supporters seated in section 117 finally stands, exploding into frenzied renditions of spanish songs and chants for their beloved Fire. This is Sector Latino, and they let their presence, and ever growing numbers, be heard. They continue to the half, both teams leave the field, and that seems like that. Until, that is, the whistle is blown to start the second half. At this time Section 8 rises to their former glory. They sing at the top of their lungs, the rage pent up inside them finally being released into the cool Chicago air, each word of ¡Vamos la Maquina Roja! dripping with a venom never before heard, and all is right with the world.

Or so it seemed.

I’m not going to give you the entire history that lead up to this act of defiance. I’m not a journalist, and am far from an impartial observer. For that you can visit the links below:

• What Started It All
• Meeting Between Section 8 Chicago and the Chicago Fire Front Office
• Monterrey Isn’t Who They Seem
• The Incident Gets Its First Press

I am able to give a reasonably accurate (though quite literary, for dramatic effect) account of what happened at the Fire v. D.C. match tonight because I was there. I wore a Sector Latino shirt. I sat with the supporters in silence, biting my lip and sitting on my hands every time Jaime Moreno touched the ball for fear I’d betray my brethren out of habit (and blind rage). I screamed my head off in the second half until my voice was gone. I escorted Sector Latino out of the stadium to the parking lot for fear of retribution from “security” (I use the term very, VERY loosely).

The demand on the banner is a simple one. However, the way the Fire Front Office has chosen to deal with it is not. Instead of a civilized respectful meeting, a promise to look into the events that occurred at the Chivas match, and any kind of (let alone official) apology, instead they have treated us (from here on out I will stop referring to Section 8 as such, and will instead use “us” because I am a part of the collective) as a group of petulant (and apparently drunken, if Blanco has anything to say about it) children. They have taken away what few liberties we have fought over the last 10 years (since the inception of the team itself) for. They have tried to stifle our visual expression of love for our team with one hand, while thrusting our visage on tv and in print every chance they get to lure more potential revenue (make no mistake, all fans are to them are walking dollar signs) to games. They have exploited us, taken us for granted, and called our bluff. But they underestimate our resolve, our dedication, our passion, and most of all, our love of the team.

We are not alone. Similar situations have occurred in stadia all over the country, most notably in D.C. (whose supporters were in contact with Section 8 prior to the match, and from what I understand, were in full support of our efforts) and New York, where fervent supporters come face to face with security personnel who don’t understand them (and most often don’t care to) and conflict is inevitable. La Barra Brava has been lucky enough to have their own personal security in their section, separate from the rest of the stadium, comprised of off-duty police officers, which has worked quite well there, and that we were hoping to emulate (unfortunately during the meeting that took place between the front office and S8 board members, the request to contact officials with United to inquire about this very set up was not even denied, it was flat out ignored).

In England, there are supporters living in Manchester who have been lifelong United fans, since well before they became the multi-billion dollar conglomerate they are today. They have gone from singing on the terraces of Old Trafford, to yelling at the tv from the comfort of their armchairs. These are fans who have poured their blood, sweat, and tears into their clubs, only to have them be bought by owners who don’t understand them, and skyrocket the price of tickets until they can no longer afford them. These are supporters who have had their clubs stolen out from under them and given to people with deep pockets who don’t deserve to smell the pitch the team plays on. No, this is not the EPL. No, the Fire isn’t worth a billion dollars. No, we don’t sell out a 76,000 capacity stadium every game. But we have more in common than meets the eye. We too are supporters who have been cheering on the Red when no one knew what the MLS was. We are fans who have pumped every dollar we could spare, and even some we couldn’t (on more than one occasion I have spent money designated for food/rent/gas on a match ticket or away game trip) to keep the team, and in turn the league, afloat. And our club has been sold to a man who, it becomes more and more apparent as time goes on, does not understand us. A man who seems more occupied with selling club seats to rich soccer moms than by showing appreciation to the very people who have kept his new toy around long enough for it to even be able to be considered a money making venture. We may not be Manchester, but make no mistake… our club is being taken from us all the same.

This was the first battle in a war that will, unfortunately, probably last a long long time before any sort of resolution is achieved. I can’t speak for the rest of my compatriots, but I for one am in this for the long haul. Even if it comes to the point of full monetary boycott, and I never step foot in Toyota Park again as a result, then so be it. I’ll spend the money I had previously spent on season tickets on more away games. I’ll watch all the games I can on TV, and the ones I can’t I’ll spend on the edge of my computer chair glued to the agonizingly slow MLS MatchTracker with baited breath.

In this torrent of ambiguity, one thing is for certain: I am Fire ‘Til I Die. And that fact will never change. If they want to take my club, they’re going to have to pry it from my cold dead hands.

P.S.

Oh, did I happen to mention that the Fire also happened to lose the $10,000 Megabandera we financed ourselves through personal donations and had to send away to Poland to have made especially for us, and which the Fire F.O. uses in just about every piece of advertising they’ve ever made? Oh, I didn’t? Well they did. Fuckers.