THOUGHTS ON THE FIRE: It has come to the point where signing Aleksandar Katai should be a no-brainer. Katai’s loan from Alaves lasts through July 31st and signing him permanently may produce a few wrinkles, but the last few months has proven that it may well be worth it. He leads the team in scoring and has had a goal and/or assist in the last eight matches for the Fire. Katai is on record about wanting to stay in Chicago, not retaining him for at least the end of this season would really rankle the Fire Faithful.
ABOUT RANKLING THE FIRE FAITHFUL: On Friday, the Fire
officially banned Sector Latino and cancelled season tickets for anyone seated in Section 101 after what the club said was a pattern of misconduct from the Supporters Group. Fellow Supporters Groups responded by not engaging in organized support and fans (including a
former club president)
denounced the ban on Twitter.
I remain of the opinion that this blanket cancellation of season tickets of Section 101 for the actions of a few that the club, and the security firm that operates at Toyota Park, somehow was unable to positively identify. It’s like the teacher (or school as a whole) punishing an entire class for the actions of a few who vandalized the washroom or gave the substitute teacher too hard a time. It’s not productive in the slightest.
Fire president and general manager Nelson Rodriguez needs to hold a town hall meeting with supporters to not only explain the actions the club took with regards to Sector Latino, but to address issues fans have with the club in a congenial manner. Right now on social media, most fans view Mr. Rodriguez very negatively because of actions like this and the perception that the club is not doing enough to be better on the pitch as opposed to boasting about
some JD Power award Some fans still will not look past the Chivas USA entry on his resume when he was president there for the one season before they folded.
It would a be a tremendous shame if the Fire wreck all the goodwill they produced after last season because of either not working to improve the product and/or antagonize its fanbase.
THOUGHTS ON THE RED STARS: Rory Dames has been with the Red Stars since their days in the WPSL and was a natural fit to coach the Red Stars when they went into the NWSL. Sunday night saw his 50th NWSL win with the club who has now won three of their last four matches and back in the playoff places. The outlook looks much better than it did when Orlando put five past the Red Stars in Bridgeview and when there were injuries and the prospect of trades around the club. Players like Casey Short and Vanessa DiBernardo are coming from injury and players like Morgan Brian and Brooke Elby are here to help the Red Stars move back up the table.
However, another tough road trip awaits this week with North Carolina on the 4th of July, followed by a trip on Saturday against a desperate Sky Blue FC squad. We’ll see if the Red Stars can maintain their momentum.
