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#1 jl_murtaugh

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Posted 04 February 2010 - 03:43 AM

It's preseason of course, but some of the bits from this article are very, very good.

http://www.dailyhera...tory/?id=356616

"The quality of players this preseason is a lot better than last year," said second-year midfielder Baggio Husidic. "Just better players. The drills we're doing are a bit different, the way we're approaching preseason is different. We're already doing a lot of ball work." [Players included] Collins John, who looked like a force while finishing his chances Wednesday.

...
Just three days into the de los Cobos era, the players' first impressions are very good. "Fantastic coach. Fantastic personality," said Husidic, a former Libertyville High School and UIC player.

...
De los Cobos is opening the first-team practices to the Fire's player development system, inviting the U-16 players to preseason training in Jackson, Miss., the U-18s to Mexico. It's a small but important step. And it suggests that de los Cobos is looking to build something for the long-term in Chicago. On and off the field, de los Cobos appears to be cultivating a new mentality with the Fire.

He talks of a more technical, fluid style of play with rapid ball movement, as shown by Wednesday's emphasis on one-touch and two-touch scrimmages. But where other foreign coaches made the mistake of forcing their ways on American players, de los Cobos seems ready to meet his players halfway and patiently work with them to improve and adjust. "I have a feeling it's going to be a totally different style than anything we've ever been a part of," said Fire original and captain C.J. Brown. "That's always exciting and fun to be a part of."

"Personally, I try and just take everything and listen as much as possible," said veteran forward Brian McBride, who has played for a number of coaches. "It's important you don't try and do too much as a player, because then you could cause yourself some problems, but you gradually try and add and grow as a player."

Even the Fire's formation will change, with a 3-5-2 possible but a 4-1-4-1 more likely to take advantage of what de los Cobos sees as a wealth of midfielders. "We have a good midfield, a very good midfield," de los Cobos said. "We need to take advantage of this."


http://www.chicagotr...0,2821411.story

C.J. Brown says he wants to remain the Fire's captain, but won't balk if his new coach wants someone different.

"I always feel like I can give advice and leadership, but it's obviously the coach's choice if he wants to keep me as captain," the 34-year-old defender said after Wednesday's indoor workout in suburban McCook. "I always represent hard work and I'm going to push that regardless of who the captain is. … If someone is a better representative, I'm all for it."

New coach Carlos De los Cobos said Wednesday both Brown and veteran forward Brian McBride possess strong qualities for the job. "They are two players who have had a lot of history in soccer and with the club as well," De los Cobos said. "Being captain is not only about wearing the armband but what it transmits to the group. You have to be an example and both have the conditions to be the captain."



#2 jl_murtaugh

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Posted 04 February 2010 - 07:03 AM

http://www.southtown...sptfire.article

"[CLDC] feels it's important to be a team and enjoy what you're doing, but to do it with pride and work hard," said striker Brian McBride, one of nine starters back from the team's loss in the Eastern Conference final last season. "And that entices a lot of people."

...
"I have a feeling that they have a very good, positive attitude," de los Cobos said. "We have a good midfield, and we need to take advantage of those players. My goal is to get to know these guys very well to decide who we can take and who has to stay."

...
"A new coach keeps everyone honest," Brown said. "We can't rely on what we've done in the past. We have to earn our spot, and that's good for the club."

...
Newly signed Polish defender Krzysztof Krol was absent during Wednesday's workout, but Dutch striker Collins John, who since 2004 has bounced around with European clubs such as Fulham and Watford, is on trial with the club during the preseason. "He's strong, and quick, and he's got experience," said McBride, who teamed with John for Fulham for the bulk of four years from 2004 through '08. "He's a goal-scoring forward, and he's not an easy guy to hold down."



#3 speedbagmorgan

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Posted 04 February 2010 - 08:06 AM

very positive...I'm not used to that...

#4 Chow

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Posted 04 February 2010 - 10:15 AM

Is it March 27th yet?!

#5 Chow

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Posted 04 February 2010 - 10:30 AM

Pretty good piece considering who wrote it:
John looking to recharge career in Chicago

#6 Tizoc

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Posted 04 February 2010 - 12:27 PM

Photo Gallery from Hoy newspaper.

they also have an article in today's paper

http://www.vivelohoy...41.photogallery

http://www.vivelohoy...0,3799003.story

#7 jjayg

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Posted 04 February 2010 - 12:36 PM

De los Cobos is opening the first-team practices to the Fire's player development system, inviting the U-16 players to preseason training in Jackson, Miss., the U-18s to Mexico. It's a small but important step. And it suggests that de los Cobos is looking to build something for the long-term in Chicago. On and off the field, de los Cobos appears to be cultivating a new mentality with the Fire.



Wow. This is impressive. As someone who is heavily involved with the Academy right now I'm extremely jealous.

#8 mdale10

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Posted 06 February 2010 - 02:25 PM

Video from indoor training session

#9 jl_murtaugh

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Posted 07 February 2010 - 06:46 PM

Collins John
http://chicago.fire....n...p&team=t100

Blades, Bubonja
http://chicago.fire....n...p&team=t100

#10 Chicago4ever

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Posted 07 February 2010 - 07:18 PM

Blades, Bubonja
http://chicago.fire....n...p&team=t100

great BS in this article.

Former Northwestern defender Mark Blades (Lakewood, OH) and UIC goalkeeper Jovan Bubonja (Belgrade, Serbia) have already done yeoman's work to make it this far. The pair rose above and beyond 150 others at the Fires' two-day, three-session open tryout last December, which featured top players from all over the country and abroad.


don't know about Blades but Jovan wasnt even at these open tryouts as he could not due to being in the superdraft.

The tryout is just a $$$ maker for the FIRE and it is sad that they would lie to fans that they "rose above and beyond 150 others" that they never even competed against.

I know the FIRE itself did not write this article but they had to of given approval and thats not professional.
DJ

The KNIGHTS are coming!

#11 Section 8 El Guapo

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Posted 07 February 2010 - 07:28 PM

I was very happy to see the big man," said Collins John. "I was looking forward to training with him again, when I saw him on Monday, I gave him a cuddle."

I think we found Collins' new nickname
WB05

UNA VIDA...UNA MUERTE...UN CLUB



#12 mdale10

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Posted 09 February 2010 - 12:49 AM

Collins John talking about preseason training
http://web.mlsnet.co...tent_id=7165541

#13 mdale10

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Posted 09 February 2010 - 11:59 AM

John looking for redemption
http://www.chicagono...ption.html#more

#14 BenBurton

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Posted 09 February 2010 - 12:07 PM

John looking for redemption
http://www.chicagono...ption.html#more



"McBride is good in the air and Pat is a good dribbler and I think I'm a totally different player... You might not see me for 15 minutes in a game and all of a sudden I score a goal. I'm a hunter, I just wait for the moment and then I grab it."

We're going to have to make a two pole with a bulls eye and set up behind the goal whenever the Fire are attacking the Harlem End.

#15 jjayg

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Posted 09 February 2010 - 12:12 PM

"McBride is good in the air and Pat is a good dribbler and I think I'm a totally different player... You might not see me for 15 minutes in a game and all of a sudden I score a goal. I'm a hunter, I just wait for the moment and then I grab it."

We're going to have to make a two pole with a bulls eye and set up behind the goal whenever the Fire are attacking the Harlem End.

Maybe if John seems to be the real deal we can do a Tifo for him involving a hunter scene of some sort. I would think it would be easy to come up with something creative for that.




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