Big Story
Your editor is behind today, as  I spent last night meeting with Chicago Fire owner and chairman Andrew Hauptman, discussing many of the issues I raised in my open letter to Fire ownership last month. At the end of that letter, I asked Andrew to sit down with us to figure out how we can achieve the goals in Section 8 Chicago’s mission statement.  The meeting was positive and for those interested, Section 8 Chicago will be making a public statement later today outlining the steps we are committed to with ownership.

I realise that might not interest everyone, but it’s at the top of my mind and this piece in the Chicago Tribune today by columnist John Kass on the Fire made me think about the future of the club and the culture of soccer here even more. Kass interviews Frank Klopas, the Fire’s Technical Director and Ring of Fire inductee, who stated that “U.S. Soccer is inevitable,” (for some reason, I really love the finality of that phrasing).

But more important than that was Klopas’ explanation of how that can be achieved, as it’s not actually inevitable — it will take hard work and vision by people like Frank at the grassroots weaving the legion of youth soccer players into the fabric of MLS club soccer. And one thing myself and Fire ownership did easily agree on last night is how proud fans should be that the Fire has the #1 ranked MLS youth academy in the country.

The importance of this was emphasised by Klopas: “The key to the future is that we have a pyramid now, that leads up to the first team, just like any European club. We have the Fire Juniors, where an 8-year-old kid can wear a Fire shirt, and on up to the academy team, which is extremely competitive. The organization’s goal is that within three or four years, we want some kids from that academy playing in Toyota Park, wearing the Fire jersey. That’s when you have the commitment, when you have local kids playing, that’s when the people will feel, ‘This is our team.’ ”

This is exactly what we need to develop here and that’s exactly the kind of public leadership and commitment to such a goal that American soccer needs if it is indeed going to be inevitable.

A few quick-links now as I have to get back to the public statement mentioned above. . .

Worldwide News

• The Offside has the video of what it calls the “roughest display of defending” on Youtube.
• Chelsea’s cunning plan to delay their FIFA-imposed transfer ban worked.
• Why is the old chestnut of Rangers and Celtic moving to the Premier League cropping up so much this season?  Yes, Scottish football is a mess and both clubs are struggling, but it’s just not going to happen, whatever David Moyes or anyone else thinks of the idea. Drop it.
• Spain’s league is not going on strike over a tax hike.
• While many American fans yearn for the introduction of promotion and relegation in our league, the opposite is being proposed in England by Bolton chairman Phil Gartside, who wants to put up a drawbridge around the Premier league, another old idea that we can only hope won’t ever happen.

The Sweeper appears daily. For more rambling and links throughout the day every day, follow your editor Tom Dunmore @pitchinvasion on Twitter.

The Ring of Fire honoured at Toyota Park

Five members of the Ring were present for Armas’ ceremony yesterday, with only Kubik missing. The pride Armas took in being honoured in that company was visible on his face during the ceremony, as a reminder that in a very short time — the Fire were only founded in 1997 — the club developed a culture of respect for the badge often missing in MLS. All six in the Ring were central to the Fire’s expansion year cup and league championship double of 1998.

Chris Armas addressing the crowd

Armas was perhaps the most tenacious American midfielder of his generation, making 66 appearances for the United States, though he was cruelly robbed of an appearance at a World Cup finals due to his ACL tear in 2002. He served the Fire for a decade as a player and assistant coach. Armas now lives with his family in New York, but when he said he felt like he had a second family with the Fire community in Chicago, it did not sound hollow.

U.S. manager Bob Bradley with Chris Armas

As I wrote here recently, I’m concerned that in ten years, the Fire may not have the same feeling to it for the players, staff and supporters of the present day. I hope I’m wrong, and last night we were reminded why people don’t snigger at a club only twelve years old talking about the “tradition, honor and passion” to its history that Armas spoke of.  It’s why even in the pouring, pouring rain the uncovered supporters in Section 8 kept singing all night.

Section 8 flag display

It’s why we supporters get-together to make banners recognising Chris Armas and another Chris soon to leave the club, Chris Rolfe (#17 below). The latter is leaving under something of a cloud with the club, but when he came over at the end of the game to toss his jersey into Section 8 and when the only remaining Fire original on the team CJ Brown also came over and did his infamous victory jig, it was a reminder of why we do keep going for the club whatever happens. May the Ring of Fire live on.

Phtoto credits: Marty Groark, official photographer for Section 8 Chicago.