SoccerCast Chicago

Do you hear that? That's the sound of soccer! Soccer is ending its hiatus and it only felt right for the podcast to do the same.

Henry Bushnell joins the show to talk how we got to this point, why the Bundesliga is worth your time, why he told his brother to support a team that's incredibly hard to pronounce, all the young American players in Germany and much more.

Read Henry's primer on the Bundesliga's return for Yahoo sports here: https://sports.yahoo.com/german-bundesliga-coronavirus-return-fans-what-team-should-i-root-for-174352577.html

Follow Henry on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HenryBushnell

Follow Alex on Twitter: https://twitter.com/alex_s_campbell

Link to Hot Mic app for play-by-play of Dortmund-Schalke on Saturday: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/hotmic/id1473870751

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.hotmic.hotmic&hl=en_US

Thanks for listening!

The Fire get their First point, Gaston Gimenez and Miguel Angel Navarro made their debuts, Boris Sekulic and Luka Stojanovic are in Chicago, and we are inching closer to the home opener at Soldier Field!

Meanwhile, the Red Stars are back in camp as the SheBelievesCup finishes up and the team prepares for their first preseason friendlies including one at Forward Madison!

Finally, I spoke with new Fire play-by-play announcer Tyler Terens about his journey to the MLS booth, dollar beer nights in Phoenix, what has stood out to him through the Fire's first two games and what he's looking forward to for next weekend's return to Soldier Field.

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Follow the show on Twitter @Soccer_Cast

Follow Tyler Terens on Twitter @TNTerens

Music by HookSounds

MLS is BACK!

The Fire kick of 2020 in Seattle on Sunday and I take a look at the state of the squad and what we could see from Rafa Wicky on Sunday.

Also, the NWSL schedule is finally out so mark your calendars, particularly for April 25th!

Then, my interview with Chicago Fire defender and Chicago native Andre Reynolds. We talked about his soccer story, being one of the faces of the Fire’s rebrand, being an example for other Chicago kids who want to play soccer, participating in the Black Fires Black History Month event, being mentored by Jonathan Bornstein, his soccer idols, Alphonso Davies, Raphael Wicky, and more!

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Follow the show on Twitter @Soccer_Cast

Follow me on Twitter @alex_s_campbell

Follow Andre on Twitter @_andre36

After a brief hiatus the pod is back!

I catch up on all the recent Chicago soccer news, primarily the Fire's signings of Boris Sekulic, Luka Stojanovic, Ignacio Alisdea and Gaston Gimenez as the team wrapped up their preseason in southern California.

Also, we now know when the NWSL will be back and when the Red Stars will play their first game of 2020 at SeatGeek Stadium!!!

Then, I talk with former Chicago Fire President and General Manager Peter Wilt about his new role with the USL helping clubs develop strong supporter culture like he did most recently with Forward Madison. He discussed the continuation of USL's expansion, particularly USL League one, and why the league believes there is significant growth opportunity for pro soccer teams across the country. Finally, we of course talked about the Fire and how he feels about the state of the team with just days remaining before the start of the 2020 season.

Follow the show on Twitter @Soccer_Cast

Follow me on Twitter @alex_s_campbell

Follow Peter Wilt on Twitter @PeterWilt1

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Music by HookSounds

The USWNT won the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament and Alyssa Naeher didn't allow a single goal the entire time! The USWNT will be back in March and the Red Stars are in camp soon, meanwhile the Fire are off to California for the second half of their preseason but still don't have any more new signings.

After the news, I'm joined by Jake Payne, co-founder of Black Fires, a black culture-focused Fire and Red Stars supporters group. We talked about Black Fires' Black History Month event from this past weekend, how the group started, what they see as their mission, the impact they hope to have on Chicago soccer, and their goals for 2020.

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Follow the show on Twitter @Soccer_Cast

Follow Black Fires on Twitter @fires_black

Thank you to Anchor for sponsoring the podcast, your brand, company or organization could be a sponsor too!

Music by HookSounds

The Fire get their first win of the preseason, MLS and its players have a new collective bargaining agreement, the Fire's new home kit was officially released, and it's a mixed bag when it comes to filling out the rest of the squad as another transfer rumor fails to materialize.

Then, original SoccerCast Chicago co-host and Nashville SC beat reporter Drake Hills joins the show to talk about Thursday's friendly, the state of Nashvilles SC's squad, the mess that is Nashville's stadium situation, the new CBA and Dax McCarty (including Dax's thoughts on who may replace him as a leader on the Fire).

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Follow the show on Twitter @Soccer_Cast

Follow Drake Hills on Twitter @LiveLifeDrake

Music by HookSounds

I briefly recap the USWNT's dominating 6-0 win over Costa Rica, talk a bit about the Fire's new home kit (more to come on that next time), and update the transfer rumor mill as the Fire look close to signing a new defensive midfielder from Austria.

Then, I'm joined by Jeremy Mikula, soccer reporter for the Chicago Tribune, to talk about his recent conversation with Fire owner Joe Mansueto including the possibility of the logo changing *again*, where you might be able to watch Fire games this season, the club's spending strategy this offseason, and much more!

Follow the show on Twitter @Soccer_Cast

Follow Jeremy on Twitter @jeremymikula

Music by HookSounds

Today on the show, the Fire prep for preseason and two Red Stars regulars help the USWNT to a good, if shaky, start in Olympic qualifying.

Then, I'm joined by Maggie Dziubek of supporters group Chicago Local 134 to talk all things Red Stars, NWSL, her soccer fan origin story and her hopes for 2020! (4:00)

Follow the show on Twitter: @Soccer_Cast

Follow Maggie on Twitter @mzoobek and Local 134 @ChicaogLocal134

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Music by HookSounds 

Today's show starts with a quick recap of news from over the weekend, including the Fire's training camp roster, a new left-back, and a couple Red Stars players getting set for CONCACAF Olympic qualification.

Then, I had the chance to drop in on the annual general meeting of Section 8 Chicago (the Fire's primary supporter organization) to speak to board members about why the 2020 season is so important not just to the club but to them, as well as the state of Section 8 and its relationship with the club (~8:00).

Follow the show on Twiitter: @Soccer_Cast

Follow Section 8 on Twitter @Section8Chicago

Music by HookSounds

Episode 2! The first Fire-focused episode! I review all of the Fire's offseason news (rebrand, departures, new coaches, new players) to refresh your memory and get you up to speed for the start of preseason. (0:00 - 18:00)

Later, I'm joined by Guillermo Rivera of The Athletic to reflect on Rafael Wicky's first press conference as Chicago Fire head coach, evaluate the remaining needs of the squad, and discuss transfer rumors.

Follow the show on Twitter @Soccer_Cast

Follow Guillermo on Twittter @FireConf

Music by HookSounds