Fire Around the World: An International Break Check-In
For Chicago Fire fans, this past week has felt like a void.
Fresh off a 2-1 road win over the Philadelphia Union, the Men in Red’s fine form was put on hold, as global soccer headed to the international break.
Even so, the fandom has had something to cheer for in the meantime.
Seven players received calls to represent their countries.
Here’s how they’ve fared in the first week of the international window.
Lineup Regulars Slot Into Senior Teams
Of the seven Fire players called up, three were selected to their nations’ senior teams. Chris Brady is a major talking point after he was called up to the USMNT setup just ahead of the World Cup. Hope persists that Chicago’s long-time shot-stopper will be donning the Stars and Stripes this summer. With that being said, playing time has and continues to be limited. The Naperville native did not feature for Mauricio Pochettino’s side on Saturday as the US lost 5-2 to Belgium. One more game awaits on Tuesday against Portugal.
Mbekezeli Mbokazi has quickly become a fan favorite in the Windy City, as he has long been for South Africans. The youngster received yet another call-up to his national team. He did not, however, come off the bench against Panama on Friday as South Africa played to a 1-1 draw. Bafana Bafana will take on the same opponent once again on Tuesday, as Mbokazi looks for minutes.
The one Fire player to take the pitch over the first half of the break was Joel Waterman. The Canadian started in a 2-2 stalemate against Iceland on Saturday. Jonathan David and Orri Oskarsson traded braces as Waterman played the full 90 minutes. Another opportunity awaits on Tuesday, when the Canadians host Tunisia. Should Chicago’s trusty center-back feature, he will pick up his 17th cap.
Budding Youth Rising Through the Ranks
In addition to the three senior call-ups, the Fire also had four of their younger contingent named to age group teams. Leonardo Barroso’s ascendance through the Portugal setup continued as he again was named to their under-21 squad. The fullback did not appear in his country’s 4-0 dismantling of Azerbaijan in Euro Qualifiers, but will have another chance against Scotland on Tuesday.
Another Fire fullback got a call-up at the under-21 level in Viktor Radojevic. Unlike his Portuguese counterpart, the Serb, who recently debuted for Chicago, started and captained his country in a friendly against Kyrgyzstan’s under-23 selection. The match ended in a disappointing 2-2 draw.
On the home front, Dylan Borso and Christopher Cupps got the nod to wear the colors of the United States. The former, who has featured prominently in the MLS campaign and impressed, was chosen to take part in the under-20 March camp. His team dismantled Argentina on their home territory 3-0, with Lionel Messi reportedly in attendance. No data is available as to whether Borso came off the bench, as he did not appear in the starting lineup.
Cupps, one of the nation’s most promising center-backs, has been a regular for the US under-18s recently. That holds true in this international window. Cupps and his teammates are in Lisbon for a youth tournament also featuring hosts Portugal, Iceland, and Morocco. With two games under their belts already, the U-18s will face Portugal on Tuesday to close out the March slate.
All Roads Lead Back to Chicago
The Fire have traveled far and wide over the last week, but will soon return home for a club campaign that is slowly ramping up.
Soldier Field will play host to the Men in Red’s tussle with Nashville come Saturday.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 pm.
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