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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
Mar 8, 2025; Frisco, Texas, USA; Chicago Fire forward Hugo Cuypers (9) and forward Tom Barlow (12) and midfielder Sam William

Hell and back: FC Dallas 1, Chicago Fire 3

A heavily depleted Chicago Fire traveled to Texas to face FC Dallas and went down by a goal in weather thoroughly unconducive to the kind of possession-based, ball-dominant soccer that Fire Head Coach Gregg Berhalter has espoused.  They then walked away with a 3-1 victory, giving Berhalter his first win

Zinckernagel, Bamba

The Fire have $449,707 in GAM. What does this mean for the roster?

A handful of days before Christmas, MLS gave journalists who cover the league or its teams and the most ardent fans – “sickos,” as longtime league personality Andrew Wiebe has affectionately called them – an early gift by releasing the amount of general allocation money (GAM) that each team had available. Today,

The first team locker room at the Endeavor Health Performance Center Chicago Fire training facility

Photos: Chicago Fire’s New Endeavor Health Performance Center

On Monday, MIR97 Media joined other reporters and journalists for a tour of the Endeavor Health Performance Center, the team’s new, state-of-the-art training facility in the Near West Side as part of the team’s official ribbon cutting ceremony. We were guided through the facility by Paul Cadwell, the

Mar 1, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Fire FC midfielder Jonathan Dean (24) kicks the ball against D.C. United midfiel

5 Things We Learned: Chicago Fire vs D.C. United

The Fire put points – well, a point – on the board, getting a draw against D.C. United in the coldest home opener in team history. It was also the second-coldest home game in team history, after the team’s 3-3 draw against FC Cincinnati on March 18, 2023. We saw

Mar 1, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; D.C. United forward Christian Benteke (20) reacts after scoring a goal against Chicago F

Ill-Fated: Chicago Fire 2, D.C. United 2

One week after Chicago Fire fans got a taste of the Gregg Berhatler era on TV, they got to see it live as the team hosted D.C. United at Soldier Field. Last week, a promising start turned into a familiar result as the Fire saw two leads evaporate on

Sep 7, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Fire FC forward Hugo Cuypers (9) and D.C. United midfielder Mateusz Klich (43) b

Take It Home: Fire vs D.C. United Match 2 Preview

For the second time in a row, the Chicago Fire will host a game at Soldier Field and Gregg Berhalter will be at the center of discussion. Last time, it was the Fire’s last home game of the season, and Gregg Berhatler’s role was ceremonial – having just been

May 15, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Fire FC midfielder Brian Gutierrez (17) passes as Charlotte FC forward Tyger Sm

Gutiérrez suspension adds to Fire’s injury crisis

Brian Gutiérrez, now with two senior U.S. Men’s National Team caps to his credit. Maren Haile-Selassie, a fan favorite for his explosive speed on the wing. David Poreba, the reigning MLS Next Pro MVP and Golden Boot winner, having earned a first-team deal with his hometown club. New

Jonathan Bamba and Philip Zinckernagel play the ball against the Columbus Crew on February 22, 2025 at Lower.com Field in Col

5 Things We Learned: Chicago Fire vs Columbus Crew

The Fire’s first game of the Gregg Berhalter era is in the books. Although the result is painfully familiar, and the team is still looking for their first opening-day win since 2009, the team nonetheless showed real progress – although the 4-2 loss also shows just that the Fire are

May 18, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Fire FC midfielder Brian Gutierrez (17) kicks the ball against Columbus Crew mi

Start of a New Era: Fire vs Columbus Match 1 Preview

On Saturday, 126 days after their last competitive match, the Chicago Fire will take to the pitch in Columbus against the Crew. In that time, the Gregg Berhalter era in has started in Chicago, with a revamped front office, a new coaching staff, and a significantly reworked roster that has

Bamba, Barroso, Rogers, Gutiérrez and Zinckernagel celebrate in the game against the San Jose Earthquakes at Coachella

Panel Predictions: How Will the Fire Do In 2025?

With the Fire’s first season under Director of Football and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter set to kick off, the team at MIR97 Media has predictions for the team in 2025. We cover everything from individual accolades to team performance in key competitions. Team Golden Boot Winner Alex Calabrese:  Hugo

Close in shot of Gregg Berhalter with microphones in front of a Chicago Fire

Berhalter Ball: The Fire’s Tactics In 2025

The Chicago Fire team that is set to take to the pitch on Saturday in Columbus will look radically different than the one that last played a competitive match in 2024. There has been significant roster turnover, and about half of the players on the roster are new. The team

Kellyn Acosta playing in a preseason match against Sporting Kansas City in Florida

Quotes: Kellyn Acosta on new teammates, his role and more

Before sitting down with sponsors at the Chicago Fire foundation’s annual preseason luncheon, Kellyn Acosta took time to talk about his new teammates, his leadership role with the team, the importance of the club being connected to the community, and more. Be sure to also check out our exclusive