THOUGHTS ON THE FIRE: It was a quality win for the Fire over LAFC, though it is way too late to mean anything. There has never been any doubt as to the work ethic of the players on the pitch. The biggest problem this season is that this was a team beset by injuries from the start—especially those of Michael de Leeuw and Djordje Mihailovic—and a front office that did not add adequate depth. I’ve probably said it a 100 times before and it deserves to be said 100 times again.
RED STARS EXTEND OFFERS, EXERCISE OPTIONS: The Chicago Red Stars have extended offers of new contracts to seven different players and exercised options on ten others. US Women’s National Team members Julie Ertz, Alyssa Naeher, and Casey Short remain on the Red Stars as Federation Players while status for 2019 will be announced on a later day.
Below is the contract status for the Red Stars as of October 1st:
- Boyd, Emily: Option Exercised
- Brian, Morgan: Option Exercised
- Colaprico, Danielle: Extended New Contract Offer
- DiBernardo, Vanessa: Option Exercised
- Elby, Brooke: Option Exercised
- Ertz, Julie: Federation Player (USA)
- Gilliland, Arin: Extended New Contract Offer
- Gorden, Sarah: Option Exercised
- Green, Summer: Extended New Contract Offer
- Kerr, Samantha: Option Exercised
- Mautz, Alyssa: Extended New Contract Offer
- McCaffrey, Stephanie: Extended New Contract Offer
- Murillo, Christina: Option Exercised
- Naeher, Alyssa: Federation Player (USA)
- Nagasato, Yuki: Extended New Contract Offer
- Naughton, Katie: Option Exercised
- Short, Casey: Federation Player (USA)
- Stanton, Nikki: Option Exercised
- Vasconcelos, Michele: Extended New Contract Offer
- White, Rosie: Extended New Contract Offer
- Yenney, Erin: Option Exercised
AWAY SUPPORT OF SECTION 101: During Saturday’s match, LAFC fans unfurled a #Free101 banner in support of the ISA in Chicago as they protest the club’s decision to ban Sector Latino and revoke season tickets of all holders in Section 101.
A friend of ours went over the LAFC away section for pretty much all of the second half and told us it was a pleasant experience and they’re definitely behind us in the 101 issues,” said Anthony Galante of Section 8. “They knew she was a Chicago person and a Fire fan almost immediately, even though she was dressed neutral in black, but she was welcomed and explained everything to those who didn’t know much. After the game we all saw that Free101 banner and then after they were let out a handful of them came over to our tailgate area, so every traveling group has pretty much been on the same page regarding us and supporters issues.”
The atmosphere during the match largely resembled a study hall once again apart from the LAFC fans. The ISA has suspended all organized activity during the match as the club refuses to even recognize Sector Latino let alone reinstate holders in Section 101 of Toyota Park.
MORE ON THE SUBJECT: On Saturday, former Fire President and General Manager Peter Wilt spoke with Juan Pimento of the Chicago Tribune to discuss the matter. Wilt reiterated his stance that it is unfair of the club to penalize innocent people for the actions of a few.
Chicago Fire
Chicago Red Stars
