Needs More Ditka

For those who are into the beautiful game, the Chicago Fire start their season on Saturday, taking on their rival Dallas FC in a nightcap in Frisco, Texas, at the historic and venerable Pizza Hut Park.

And people say that MLS is a joke.

Well, the joke is on them. With a committed fan base, a great stadium in Bridgeview, and a squad that contends year in and year out, the Fire have become a staple of success, overlooked only because of oversaturation in the marketplace.

This year, the Fire will be looking to win their second MLS cup and contend for the Supporter’s shield (best regular season record) and the US Open Cup (a knockout tournament of the top three North American leagues.) To do that, they will ride the play of two aging superstars, Brian McBride, who came back to his hometown, Chicago, in a midseason deal last year, and Cuauhtémoc Blanco. Blanco is the most polarizing player in the game, but at times the best. The Fire were not sure if Blanco would return to the MLS for his third year, so every game with Blanco might be the last for the Fire. The Fire are sure title contenders with the spectacular midfielder, without him, there are questions. Read more »