Chicago Red Stars defender Zoe Morse joins the show (at 32:30) to discuss her work with Waterboys and the Hometown H20 project, and why environmentalism is important to her. Before that, Michael Shaw of Fleur-de-lis FC previews the Red Stars' game this weekend against Racing Louisville by discussing Yuki Nagasato's importance on and off the field, Savannah McCaskill's new role in midfield, and why women's pro soccer has been such an instant success in Louisville. Follow Zoe Morse on Twitter @Zmo10 and on Instagram @zmo101. To learn more about Waterboys and their projects, including Hometown H20, visit waterboys.org All of Michael's content can be found at fleur-de-lis-fc.com and you can follow him on Twitter @FleurdelisFC1 Subscribe, rate and review wherever you get your podcasts! Music by HookSounds --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

SoccerCast Chicago

41: Zoe Morse and Fleur-de-lis FC

Chicago Fire alum and first singing in Chicago House Athletic Club history Drew Conner joins the show to talk about the significance of starting something new, the chance to play for Fire legend (and fellow SoccerCast Chicago guest) C.J. Brown, the opportunity to lead a young team, and his role as part of the 'Stand For Chicago Council' advising the Fire's rebrand process. Follow Drew on Twitter @Drew_Conner1 and on Instagram @drewconner1 Follow Alex on Twitter @alex_s_campbell and the show @Soccer_Cast Thank you to Anchor for sponsoring this episode, music by HookSounds --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

40: Drew Conner of Chicago House AC

After some news and notes on the Fire and a crazy week in the NWSL, Alex is joined by Donald Wine who in addition to recently being named to the American Outlaws board of directors is a frequent contributor to both Black and Red United (the DC United/Washington Spirit site at SB Nation) and Stars and Stripes FC (the USMNT/USWNT site). Ahead of Thursday's Fire vs DC game, they discuss new DC United manager Hernan Losada, the club's current injury crisis, what the best role is for Julian Gressel, and breakout Spirit rookie Trinity Rodman. Follow Donald on Twitter @blazindw Follow Alex @alex_s_campbell and the show @Soccer_Cast Remember to subscribe to the show wherever you're listening! Thank you to Anchor for sponsoring the podcast, music by HookSounds --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

39: Donald Wine of SB Nation/American Outlaws

After a few thoughts on the Fire's continued struggles in their 2-0 to Philadelphia... Alex is joined by Antonio Maza (a.k.a. @NWSLanalitica on Twitter) to talk about how he got into the NWSL from Argentina, the Red Stars' attacking struggles in the Challenge Cup (and options to fix them), if the Portland Thorns are as scary as they look and where they still need work, the re-worked Courage, OL Reign throwing star players from Europe into a young lineup and more! Follow @NWSLAnalitica on Twitter You can subscribe to the NWSL Analitica Patreon page at patreon.com/nwslanalitica Follow Alex @alex_s_campbell and the show @Soccer_Cast Be sure to subscribe wherever you're listening! Music by HookSounds --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

38: NWSL Analitica

Alex begins the show by recapping the week in Chicago soccer news, including his thoughts on the NWSL's lack of transparency on their investigation of the racial profiling of Sarah Gorden's boyfriend in Houston and what he'd like to see from the winless Fire this weekend at home vs Philadelphia. Speaking of which, Alex is then joined by Matt Ralph, the managing editor of Brotherly Game (the Union site at SB Nation) to update all things Philly: their CONCACAF Champions League run, their early season struggles, the impact of Brenden Aaronson and Mark McKenzie's departures and more! Follow Matt on Twitter @MattRalph_tBG and @BrotherlyGame Follow Alex @alex_s_campbell and the show at @Soccer_Cast Please rate and review wherever you get your podcasts! Music by HookSounds --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

37: Matt Ralph of Brotherly Game

Alex is joined by his Hot Time in Old Town colleague Patrick McCraney to talk through the weekend in Chicago soccer: - The Red Stars' loss to Portland, along with the NWSL's investigation into the racial profiling of Sarah Gorden's boyfriend and how the Red Stars can score some goals - The Fire's home opener, being at Soldier Field for the game, Luka Stojanovic, the same defensive issues as always, and more! Rate and Review wherever you get your podcasts! Music by HookSounds --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

36: Catching Up on the Red Stars and Fire (w/ Patrick McCraney)

Chicago Fire midfielder Fabian Herbers joins the show to talk about his new podcast 'Zee Soccer Pod' with DC United's Julian Gressel, going home to Germany during a pandemic, being a part of CBA negotiations and the Fire's preseason in Orlando Follow Zee Soccer Pod on Twitter @zeesoccerpod and subscribe to the show! Follow SoccerCast Chicago on Twitter @soccer_cast (I assume you are subscribed already, but if not you should be) Subscribe, rate and review wherever you get your podcasts Music by HookSounds

35: Fabian Herbers

On January 8th, Edgewater Castle Soccer Club launched the Solidarity Kit, a jersey designed in collaboration with the Black Fires supporters group and photographer Mel D Cole, with 80% of all proceeds going to My Block, My Hood, My City. Alex is joined by several of the voices who had input on the project to discuss how it came about, what it says about the priorities of ECFC, and the roll of soccer in helping to shape the communities it takes root in.  Panel: - Andrew Swanson, co-founder and general manager of Edgewater Castle FC - Nabila Ahmed, marketing director for Edgewater Castle FC - JP Calubaquib, freelance photographer - Ernesto Gonzalez, My Block My Hood My City - Adam La Vitola, founder of Clubhouse Athletic You can follow both Edgewater Castle FC and My Block, My Hood, My City on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook Video of the kit launch, produced by JP: https://twitter.com/EdgewaterCastle/status/1336385056596766723?s=20 Follow the show on Twitter @soccer_cast Follow Alex on Twitter @alex_s_campbell Subscribe, Rate and Review wherever you get your podcasts! Music by HookSounds --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

34: Edgewater Castle FC's Solidarity Kit

The newly appointed head coach of the soon-to-be-named Chicago NISA team, C.J. Brown joins the podcast to discuss his coaching career, why he felt this was the right fit for his first head coaching job, how Chicago has always felt like home since he retired, what it means to him that fans still think incredibly highly of him, similarities between him and Mauricio Pineda at the same age, what kind of soccer we can expect Chicago NISA to play and more! Subscribe, rate and review wherever you get your podcasts. Follow the show on Twitter @soccer_cast Follow Alex on Twitter @alex_s_campbell Music by HookSounds --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

33: Fire Legend & NISA Chicago Coach C.J. Brown

Kyle Sheldon, Fire Senior Vice President of Marketing, joins the show to discuss the Fire's new identity rebrand, the process they're undergoing to get input, the conversations they're having with fans, some particular individuals who will be contributing to the project, why the club wasn't this transparent last year, and what makes a good soccer brand. Follow Kyle on Twitter @kylesheldon Follow Alex on Twitter @alex_s_campbell Follow the show on Twitter @Soccer_Cast Subscribe, rate and review the show wherever you get your podcasts! Music by HookSounds --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

32: Fire SVP of Marketing Kyle Sheldon

Current staff writer for The Athletic and former Chicago-based soccer journalist Sam Stejskal joins the show to talk about Djordje Mihailovic's move to Montreal, the Fire's run of young, international acquisitions and what these moves say about the Fire's strategy in the market and positioning for the future. Follow Sam on Twitter @samstejskal and check out his and Paul Tenorio's podcast, Allocation Disorder Follow Alex on Twitter @alex_s_campbell Follow the show on Twitter @Soccer_Cast Subscribe, rate and review wherever you get your podcasts! Music by HookSounds --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

31: Sam Stejskal of The Athletic on the Fire's Offseason

Alex is joined by Brian Sandalow of the Chicago Sun-Times, Jeremy Mikula of the Chicago Tribune, Patrick McCraney of Hot Time in Old Town, and Guillermo Rivera of The Athletic to talk all things Chicago Fire from the lousy year that was 2020 both on and off the field. Topics include the logo rollout, missed opportunities due to COVID, "Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss.", whether sports are important or not right now, new signings, Frankowski, Mihailovic, where the Fire should try to further improve in the offseason, the search for a training site, MLS Cup predictions, hopes for 2021 and a whole lot more. Subscribe, rate and review the show wherever you get your podcasts! Music by HookSounds

30: 2020 Chicago Fire Roundtable

Bad news first: the Chicago Fire's season is over after a 4-3 loss to NYCFC eliminated them from playoff contention. Alex starts the show by offering a few thoughts on the game and the feelings around the team following the loss last night. On a more exciting note, Chicago soccer legend Peter Wilt is back on the show to discuss his latest project: a new soccer team in Chicago as part of the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA), debuting next August! Peter discusses the origins of the team, what he hopes it can be, the importance of fan engagement in the process of developing a team identity, and a little Fire and Red Stars as well. Check out the team's website, chicagonisa.com Follow the team on Twitter @ChicagoNISA Follow Peter on Twitter @PeterWilt1 Follow Alex on Twitter @alex_s_campbell Subscribe, rate and review wherever you get your podcasts! Music by HookSounds --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

29: Fire eliminated, Peter Wilt on NISA Chicago

After a short hiatus the podcast is back! Alex and Jeremy Mikula from the Chicago Tribune talk about Chicago soccer for an hour. The Fire's loss to Philly, Robert Beric, defensive issues, evaluating the season, and the Fire's path to the playoffs. The Yuki Nagasato/Savannah McCaskill trade, where the Red Stars need to improve, and the wizardry that is Rory Dames making trades. Follow the show on Twitter @Soccer_Cast Follow Jeremy on Twitter @jeremymikula Follow Alex on Twitter @alex_s_campbell Subscribe, Rate, Review! Music by HookSounds --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

28: Fire Playoff Picture + Red Stars Kickoff the Offseason (w/ Jeremy Mikula from the Chicago Tribune)

Matt Doyle, MLSsoccer.com's Armchair Analyst, co-host of the Extratime podcast, and host of the 'Top Tier' and 'Game Breakers' video series, joins the show to talk Chicago Fire tactics and improvements over the last few weeks including Fabian Herbers' role, what good form could mean for Djordje Mihailovic's USMNT future, the emergence of Mauricio Pineda, the importance of Gaston Gimenez and much more! Follow Matt on Twitter @MattDoyle76 Follow the show on Twitter @Soccer_Cast Follow Alex on Twitter @alex_s_campbell Rate, review and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! Music by HookSounds --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

27: Matt Doyle of MLSsoccer.com

A podcast covering all things Chicago soccer, from the Fire, to the Red Stars and beyond. Episodes twice weekly; subscribe, give the show a rating, and share if you like what you hear! Music by HookSounds.com

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SoccerCast Chicago

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