The Hot Cast

Ruben and RJ return with maybe the second to last episode of the season. They go over the disappointing performance against Charlotte, including bad performances from the midfield and the lack of good goalscoring chances.

In the second half of the show, the boys dicsuss the recent report by friend of the program Alex Calibrese that Djordje Mihailovic may be on his way back to the lakefront. They talk about how he could work tactically on the field and whether or not it's a good idea for the club to bring him back off the field.

They also mention the US Youth call-ups of Brian Gutierrez, Chris Brady, and Sergio Oregel. (this was recorded before Javier Casas was called in as an injury replacement)

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

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It's a special postgame Hot Cast! Ruben and RJ are here to break down the Fire's win over Miami. They start with a discussion on the vibes of the game and then quickly discuss some things the Fire could have done better because they're maniacs. After that, they discuss all the good things, and boy were there a lot of good things.

After the break, Ruben breaks down the table and what the playoff math looks like for the Fire beyond the win and you're in scenario they find themselves in. (spoiler, they can finish 7th) and RJ smacks him back to reality.

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After a week of technical difficulties, the Hot Cast returns. Ruben and RJ discuss the Revs match and contrast that performence with the two lost games from last week. But before that, they talk about the staleness of the club overall, and how much these last couple of weeks are going to stink.

however, there was some positives. They discuss the play of the young talented core of players they have including Jonathan Dean and Brian Gutierrez's (before his injury) games. Ruben also pushes back on the push back he's been getting over Carlos Teran being good.

Then, they discuss the Eastern Conference playoff race and how no one actually wants to be in the 8/9 play-in game. Because of that the Fire are still in it! It's a joke! All of that and more on this week's Hot Cast!

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Ruben and RJ return to the Hot Cast to discuss everything going wrong with the Chicago Fire. They talk about the seeming lack of effort on display against DC and the disappointment they have in the front office and coaching staff, along with the players. They also have a deep discussion on the role of the designated player and whether or not they should be looked at to be leaders of the team.

In the second half of the show, they talk about playing the Fire's kids and what a lineup where they do that will look like. All of that plus what the boys are going to do during the international break on this week's Hot Cast.

On this week's episode of the Hot Cast, recorded just after Wednesday's final; whistle, Ruben is... upset at the approach the coaching staff Fire took in last week's losses in LA and Vancouver, but especally against the Whitecaps. He reads the riot act to the coaching staff while RJ does his best to calm him down while also acknowledging what a poor display the Fire put on.

Things get lighter in the second half of the show. They talk about all the clubs around the Fire also slipping up and preview Saturday's winnable game against DC United in DC. All of that and more on this week's Hot Cast.

You can support the podcast via Patreon over at patreon.com/TheLantern

Ruben and RJ return to the Podcast Studio after what was determined to be a sad performance by the Chicago Fire. They discuss the lack of verve and desire at the end of the game. and talk about Georgios Koutsias's poor performence.

On the flip side, They talk about how good the Fire's spine was with the addition of Ousmane Doumbia and how despite his bad performence, Koutsias's disallowed goals were more unfortunate bad luck than anything else.

In the second half of the show, they talk about the Fire's playoff position-- the loss didn't really affect them. And the upcoming week against LA Galaxy and Vancouver Whitecaps. And in the last few minutes, they touch on Portland changing coaches and a host of other topics.

You can support the podcast over at Patreon.com/TheLantern

Ruben and RJ return to the microphone to discuss the end of the Fire's run in the Leagues Cup at the hand of Club America. They discuss the Fire's performence in the match and how it was actually pretty good from a certain point of view. They talk about Mauricio Pineda and Osumene Doumbia's growth and the offense's continued struggles to create and score goals.

In the show's second half, they step back and look at the Leagues Cup as a whole to try and find some meaning in the tournament. Plus, they speak on what they're looking forward to as the European Season is about to begin. All of that plus Ruben has a video game recommendation on this week's Hot Cast.

you can support the show at patreon.com/TheLantern

The Fire finished P1 in the Central 2 group over Pachuca and Minnesota United and Ruben and RJ needed to discuss it with you! They started by discussing the tournament as a whole and tried to determine it's value to the soccer ecosystem. Then they went on to discuss the Fire's performence and what they did to get on top.

In the second half of the show, they look forward to Friday's match against Club America. Ruben gets all football romantic about it and RJ has to bring him crashing down to reality. All of that plus 90 seconds of Messi talk on this weeks's Hot Cast.

Ruben and RJ are back just in time to take a break! They discuss the Fire's recent good run of results, but both of them have questions about the quality of those performances. Then in the second half of the show, they discuss the League's Cup, its worth as a tournament, and how they think the Fire will get on in it. All of that plus a fun idea brewing on this Week's Hot Cast!

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The Fire followed up their 2 road wins with an egg-laying in central Florida, and your hosts try to figure out what went wrong. Ruben and RJ discuss the Fire and Orlando's tactical approach, poor refereeing, and the Fire's lackluster performence, all of which contributed to the loss.

They then talk about what it would take for the Fire to still, despite everything, be a playoff contender.

Then in the second half of the show, they talk about the Jim Curtin news and what it means for the Fire's coaching search. They also decide whether it was a mistake by ownership to wait until the offseason to make a hire.

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