The Chicago Soccer Conversation
The Chicago Soccer Conversation
Dan Santaromita, Brian Sandalow
Brian Sandalow and Dan Santaromita have years of experience covering professional soccer in Chicagoland. They teamed up for a podcast about the Chicago soccer scene, with a focus on the Chicago Fire. There's also plenty of talk about the Chicago Red Stars, minor league soccer in Chicagoland, the U.S. women's and men's national teams, and more about the wide world of soccer. We try to have some fun, mixing insight, analysis and news with an entertaining show.
What do these big sales do for the Fire?
The Fire sold Jhon Duran to Aston Villa for a club-record fee, surpassing the number Gaga Slonina drew in the summer. What do these big sales do for the Fire if they aren't winning? Brian and Dan discuss that plus go over a number of roster moves for the Fire and Red Stars.
Jan 19, 2023
56 min
What the Fire's schedule looks like and the club has a new president
Brian and Dan discuss the Fire's schedule now that the MLS schedule has dropped. St. Louis comes to Soldier Field, but the Fire won't make a trip to St. Louis this year. Plus, the Fire have a new president and it seems more likely Mallory Pugh will be staying with the Red Stars for a while.
Dec 22, 2022
39 min
Offseason catch-up: Red Stars roster exodus
The sale of the Red Stars still has a long way to go, but the team's roster is going to have a very different look after the offseason. Brian and Dan discuss that as well as Shaqiri's World Cup and an update on the Fire's training facility plan.
Dec 8, 2022
58 min
2023 Fire offseason preview
What will the Fire do in the offseason? Brian and Dan look at the Fire's recently announced contract decisions and what positions of need the team has. Plus, an MLS Cup preview.
Nov 2, 2022
50 min
Red Stars crash out of playoffs; Heitz is coming back
The Red Stars lost in the first round of the playoffs, ending their season. Brian and Dan talk about that performance and evaluate the Red Stars season as a whole. Plus, they discuss the contract renewals for Georg Heitz and Sebastian Pelzer.
Oct 19, 2022
57 min
More changes for Red Stars ahead of playoffs
The Red Stars undergo more changes in the front office ahead of a playoff game. Plus, Brian and Dan talk through the Fire's regular season finale, including what the plan should be for Chris Brady in 2023.
Oct 12, 2022
1 hr 10 min
What does the Yates Report mean for the Red Stars?
The Red Stars made the NWSL playoffs, but the main story of the week is the Sally Yates' report on the systemic abuse in the NWSL and what it means for the future of the club and the league. Brian and Dan dissect some of the relevant Red Stars points before discussing the Red Stars keeping the playoff streak alive. Plus, the Fire won a game on the road. Should we care?
Oct 5, 2022
1 hr 6 min
How do we feel about Chicago's soccer coaches?
The Red Stars need some help to even be alive for the playoffs heading into their final match. Brian and Dan discuss the Red Stars' chances and evaluate the first years of Chris Petrucelli and Ezra Hendrickson.
Sep 28, 2022
1 hr 4 min
Stadium and training facility news overshadows Fire's elimination
The Fire were eliminated from playoff contention, but facility news takes the forefront. Brian and Dan discuss the snag for the Fire's training facility proposal and the possibility of a new stadium in Chicago. Plus, the Red Stars lost a big game, but stayed above the playoff line with two matches left.
Sep 21, 2022
1 hr
What's next for the Fire?
The Fire are almost completely out of the playoff race. What can they do for next year? Meanwhile, the Red Stars got two huge results in a row to stay in the middle of an extremely crowded playoff picture.
Sep 17, 2022
53 min
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