The Hot Cast

Ruben and RJ are back to discuss all things Chicago Fire. They start with the loss against DC and as promised, Ruben takes a deep dive into the Fire's tactics and tries to identify the difference between the first and second halves. A hint: It revolves around playing players where they're most comfortable.

In the second half of the show, they discuss the Fire players on the Free Agent list released by the MLSPA, Mauricio Pouchitino to the USMNT and Gregg to the Fire. All that and bruised eyes on this week's episode of the podcast.

Better late than Never, it's this week's Hot Cast! Ruben and RJ are back to discuss what went wrong against Inter Miami and if the problems can be fixed or is it too little to late in 2024.

In the second half of the show, your hosts go back and forth on what there is to look forward to for the rest of the season. And Ruben has a warning for the Chicago Fire Game Ops department. All that plus Video Games!! on this week's Hot Cast.

Ruben and RJ return to the podcast airwaves to break down how the fire stole a point against NYCFC at the weekend despite some poor play. They discuss their major preparedness issues the team has and why it's not going to change anytime soon.

In the second half of the show, they talk about the MLS playoff picture, where the Fire stands in it, and what's it going to take for a team to finish above the line.

All that plus a preview of Inter Miami this weekend on this episode of the Hot Cast

Ruben and RJ return just in time to talk about Georg Heitz's pending departure from the club. They discuss what he did for the club, what he didn't do for the club, and what he leaves in his wake.

In the second half of the show, they discuss what the club can do going forward into next season and whether or not the Fire GM job is even a good one.

All that plus Gaga Slonina's Chelsea mistake on this week's Hot Cast.

With RJ on assignment, Ruben called in Fire expert and good dude Tim Hotze on to entertain his Tin Foil theories about the Chicago Fire- including his thoughts about Frank Klopas losing the locker room.

But before that, they discuss the matches vs NYCFC and FC Cincinnati, the Fire's situation regarding overspending, the difficulties in the summer transfer window, and what to do about Xherdan Shaqiri. All that and more in this supersized edition of The Hot Cast.

You can support the show at patreon.com/TheLantern

On this week's episode of the Hot Cast, Ruben and RKJ dissect an up-and-down week for the Chicago men's soccer outfit. They discuss how the comeback win against Philidelphia was directly responsible for the loss in San Jose. They talk about injuries and the seeming lack of depth and what it means for the club going into their three-game week against Eastern Conference playoff opposition.

The second half of the show is spent talking about Brian Gutierrez not being called up to the US Olympic squad and the implications for his career, Gaston Gimenez's departure and RJ lets Ruben rant about FOX's horrible soccer coverage. All that and more on this week's hotcast.

The Fire lose their second game in a row where they outperform the other team for a large portion of the match! Ruben and RJ break down the game and point fingers at who is responsible for the lack of responsibility. They also talk about how good the team played at times and break down the first half when things looked so good.

In the second half of the show, they talk about the impending sale of Gaston Gimenez and what the Fire will have to do to replace him once he goes. Then they talk a bit about tonight's tilt with the Philadelphia Union. All that plus NASCAR and avacados? On this week's Hot Cast

You can support the show over at patreon.com/TheLantern

The Fire lose to Orlando City and Ruben and RJ are back to take stock of where the Fire are. They discuss what the performence of the Fire means in context of the rest of the season and whether or not leading in almost every statistical means anything.

In the second half of the show, they look forword to the summer transfer window with an eye on players playing in the international tournaments.

All that and more on this week's Hot Cast.

The Fire go up to Toronto and win their second game in a row and the Hot Castr have some thoughts. Ruben and RJ debate whether or not their form is sustainable or it's just like last year when they have their mid-season glow-up before disappointing us down the stretch.

Then they talk a bit about the match itself and how the Fire are able to out-tempo teams during their undefeated month and how the passing has improved through the midfield in their off week.

In the second half of the show, they discuss a bit about the international competitions going on over the summer and so much more on this week's Hot Cast.

The Chicago Fire finally won a match after only two months and all it took was a formation change and removal of their Designated Player. Ruben and RJ discuss the match, and Ruben warns why this could be just a one-off, while RJ is the positive one this week.

The show's second half is spent discussing the formation change and what it means for the summer transfer window. Plus they discuss the newest transfer rumors including where Federico Navarro may wind up.

They then spend the last little bit of the show checking in with the Chicago Red Stars ahead of their weekend match at Wrigley Field.

All that and more on this week's Hot Cast.

You can support the show at patreon.com/TheLantern