The Hot Cast

The Boys are back talking about the Fire! Ruben and RJ go deep on the Fire's win against Atlanta and discuss what's going right for once. They also talk about the upcoming run to the end of the season, what to do when Johan Kappelhof gets back, and Ruben has a soccer manga recommendation. All that and much more on this edition of The North Lot podcast.

With RJ on assignment, Ruben called in Fire expert and good dude Tim Hotze on to entertain his Tin Foil theories about the Chicago Fire- including his thoughts about Frank Klopas losing the locker room. But before that, they discuss the matches vs NYCFC and FC Cincinnati, the Fire's situation regarding overspending, the difficulties in the summer transfer window, and what to do about Xherdan Shaqiri. All that and more in this supersized edition of The Hot Cast. You can support the show at patreon.com/TheLantern

On this week's episode of the Hot Cast, Ruben and RKJ dissect an up-and-down week for the Chicago men's soccer outfit. They discuss how the comeback win against Philidelphia was directly responsible for the loss in San Jose. They talk about injuries and the seeming lack of depth and what it means for the club going into their three-game week against Eastern Conference playoff opposition. The second half of the show is spent talking about Brian Gutierrez not being called up to the US Olympic squad and the implications for his career, Gaston Gimenez's departure and RJ lets Ruben rant about FOX's horrible soccer coverage. All that and more on this week's hotcast.

The Fire lose their second game in a row where they outperform the other team for a large portion of the match! Ruben and RJ break down the game and point fingers at who is responsible for the lack of responsibility. They also talk about how good the team played at times and break down the first half when things looked so good. In the second half of the show, they talk about the impending sale of Gaston Gimenez and what the Fire will have to do to replace him once he goes. Then they talk a bit about tonight's tilt with the Philadelphia Union. All that plus NASCAR and avacados? On this week's Hot Cast You can support the show over at patreon.com/TheLantern

The Fire lose to Orlando City and Ruben and RJ are back to take stock of where the Fire are. They discuss what the performence of the Fire means in context of the rest of the season and whether or not leading in almost every statistical means anything. In the second half of the show, they look forword to the summer transfer window with an eye on players playing in the international tournaments. All that and more on this week's Hot Cast.

The Fire go up to Toronto and win their second game in a row and the Hot Castr have some thoughts. Ruben and RJ debate whether or not their form is sustainable or it's just like last year when they have their mid-season glow-up before disappointing us down the stretch. Then they talk a bit about the match itself and how the Fire are able to out-tempo teams during their undefeated month and how the passing has improved through the midfield in their off week. In the second half of the show, they discuss a bit about the international competitions going on over the summer and so much more on this week's Hot Cast.

The Chicago Fire finally won a match after only two months and all it took was a formation change and removal of their Designated Player. Ruben and RJ discuss the match, and Ruben warns why this could be just a one-off, while RJ is the positive one this week. The show's second half is spent discussing the formation change and what it means for the summer transfer window. Plus they discuss the newest transfer rumors including where Federico Navarro may wind up. They then spend the last little bit of the show checking in with the Chicago Red Stars ahead of their weekend match at Wrigley Field. All that and more on this week's Hot Cast. You can support the show at patreon.com/TheLantern

What's life going to be like without Xherdan Shaqiri? That's the main topic of discussion for this week's Hot Cast. Ruben and RJ start the show by discussing what his early departure for Euro 2024 means for the club in both the short and long term. And in the show's second half, they talk about potential replacements on the roster for him. They also discuss the improvement between the first and second half of the game last weekend against DC. They talk about Brian Gutierrez looking more comfortable as well as how good Federico Navarro has been since his return to the lineup. They end the show by talking about the match in Orlando and how the Fire can win. All that and more on this week's Hot Cast. There's a buzzing noise in the background I couldn't quite get rid of. I apologize for it- Editor

After a week off, The Hot Cast is back and the unfortunate news is that If we had a show last week, it would probably sound a lot like this one. Ruben and RJ discuss the Fire's lack of attacking ability and why they can't fix it for about half and hour, and then talk about how they could fix it going into the game against DC United.

Ruben and RJ are back this week after a horrid performence against the Revolution. They discuss how they would manage the club if they had the job and what, if anything is actually working. They then look at the roster construction and try to sus out what if any moves could be made during the summer, including where Omari Glasgow could fit in. All that and more on this week's Hot Cast.

On this episode of the Hot Cast, Ruben and RJ return to the podcast waves to discuss what turned out to be a very interesting scoreless draw. They discuss the tactical changes made in the match, how the club responded to the previous week's injuries, and how the defense responded to giving up 4 goals against RSL. After a patrion pause, they preview the next game against the New England Revolution. They talk about the Rev's struggles and how this is a must win for the Fire. All of that plus some stadium talk on this week's Hot Cast.

Rubena nd RJ return after a dismal performence from the Chicago Fire has them wondering what needs to change. they discuss Frank Klopas' roll with the club and talk about whether or not he needs to resign as manager. They also discuss the recent Bears stadium announcement of an announcement and what that could potentially mean for the Fire and Red Stars. All that and more on this week's episode of the Hot Cast. you can support the show over at patreon.com/thelantern

Ruben and RJ return after a week off to an up-and-down stretch of the Fire. They catch up on the win in Houston and compare it to the hopeless performence against the Red Bulls. What was the difference between the two games and what can the Fire do to have more like Houston? They also discuss the Open Cup (This was recorded on Monday Night) and the new MLS roster rules. That and more on this week's Hot Cast patreon.com/TheLantern

The Chicago Fire laid an egg in Atlanta and Ruben and RJ break down what went wrong. They discuss Frank Klopas' tactics and what they'd change to make the team function better. They also discuss whether or not FK is the right man for the job. Then they talk about the decline of Rafael Czichos and whether or not he should continue to start every week. All that and more on this week's Hot Cast.

Ruben and RJ are back to discuss everything but the Fire's 1-1 draw with the New England Revolution, but they do that anyway. But they start the show talking about the referee lockout being over before getting into the draw. They talk about Allen Arigoni's good performances and the bounceback game from Tobias Salquest and also praise the performence of Hugo Cuypers, as well. They also spend some time talking about some of the problems with Frank Klopas' tactics. In the second half of the show, discuss Next week against Atlanta, the international games taking place last weekend, and Omari Glasgow. Plus RJ gives his prediction for the White Sox record. All that and more on this week's HotCast you can support the show over at patreon.com/TheLantern

The Chicago Fire won their first game of the season. That's good! But Ruben and RJ wonder, Was it really deserved? They discuss everything from the wind to bad refereeing to the continued struggles of Xherdan Shaqiri. It wasn't all negative though. They heap praise on Fabian herbers and Allen Arigone, two players playing above expectations right now, as well as other Fire players playing well. Then they talk about next week in New England and what a Shaqiriless lineup (he's on international duty) will look like. All that and more on this week's Hot Cast.

Ruben and RJ are back to discuss the Fire's 2-1 loss to Columbus and what the potential fallout should be. They discuss if it was a bad game or a game ruined by one bad performence. Related: Should the bench Xherdan Shaqiri? They also discuss the performence of the defense and Ruben makes the case for them having a good night. They also talk about officiating and the scab referees. In the second half of the show, the hosts discuss the upcoming game against CF Montreal and whet the Frie have to do to get their first win of the season. you can support the show over at patreon.com/TheLantern

After a 2 day sick delay, the Hot Cast is back to finally discuss everything awful about the loss against Cincinnati. They discuss Frank Klopas' formation mistake and bad substitutions, Rafael Czichos's worst game in a Fire shirt, and why they look so poor up front. All that and more on this week's Hot Cast. You can support the show at patreon.com/TheLantern

Ruben and RJ are back this week and are a bit more serious than usual. They break down how the Fire's tactical change worked and whether or not it will work against everyone else, or if it was a one-shot success story. Then they talk a bit about next week's game against Montreal and the Fire's chances. All that plus only one off-topic tangent on this week's episode of The Hot Cast.

It's been a long time since we last had a show. But there's been a lot of activity surrounding the Chicago Fire. So Ruben and RJ return to the microphone to discuss all of it. They talk all of the transfers coming in from Hugo Cuypers to Andrew Gutman and everyone in between. They also give a temperature check on their feelings about the Fire's prospects for the season and laugh at the Duncan McGuire Blackburn saga. All that and more on this week's Hot Cast. You can support the show over at patreon.com/LanternSoccer