Volume 3, Number 3 - Section 8 Chicago

THE OFFICIAL SECTION 8 CHICAGO ZINE
MATCHDAY
8
MATCH
BOOK PHILLY PREVIEW
MAY 11, 2013
v3.3
Z I N E PREDICTIONS
W W W. S 8 C . O R G | @ M AT C H B O O K Z I N E
‘12 S8OT
IN REVIEW
LEO!
INTERVIEW
INDY ELEVEN
PHILADELPHIA MATCH PREVIEW
Irish Steve
T
he Fire welcome the Union to Toyota
Park this afternoon after a bye week last
weekend. The team’s previous match
was yet another loss, this time in Montreal.
The Men in Red played well at times but
again failed to score and keep a clean sheet,
losing 2-0. Philly played lowly Seattle to a
2-2 draw last weekend and will be without
the suspended right-back Sheanon Williams
who was one of three players to get a red in
the match.
Philly’s attack is one of the deepest and
most diverse in the league. The obvious
danger man is 20 year old Jack McInerney
who has 6 goals to date and was just named
MLS Player of the Month for April. In recent
weeks veteran Connor Casey has started up
front with McInerney and the partnership
seems to be working well. Both players
take turns playing the target striker while
the other drops deep or wide to pick up the
ball. On the bench, Philly favorite Sebastian
LeToux and super sub Antoine Hoppenot
have the ability to change games. All four
are different and the Fire must be prepared
to deal with the possible combinations of
strikers that coach Hackworth puts on the
field tonight.
In defense, the Union are not nearly as deep.
Williams is out meaning Raymon Gaddis will
LAST RESULT
slot over to right-back. In addition, former
Fire player Baky Soumare should start for
the Union at the center of the defense.
Soumare has only played one game for the
Union since joining them, ironically against
the Fire last season. With this in mind, the
Fire must test Soumare from the off this
afternoon. Philly keeper Zac MacMath is
hesitant to come off his line and against
New England a few weeks ago, the Union
allowed the Revs to beat them in the air on
crosses numerous times. If the Fire can get
the ball in the box it could cause some major
problems for the away team. Gaddis looked
very uncomfortable against New England
and I will be looking for Joel Lindpere and
Sega to attack him all afternoon down the
left.
Prediction: As I said in the last preview, a
clean sheet must be the goal for the Fire
tonight and it would be a big achievement
considering the firepower the Union have
up front. The team needs to start getting
results and a win against the Union is
certainly achievable. Substitutions will be
key in this match and if the Fire can contain
Le Toux and co. it will give them a real
chance of winning. 2-1 Fire with goals from
MacDonald and Lindpere.
IMPACT DE MONTRÉAL 2 - 0 CHICAGO FIRE
Zack
Pirello
CHI 1-0 PHI
Joe
Double T
CHI 0-0 PHI
CHI 4-0 PHI
Karl
Schuster
Dan
Martin
Rolfe
Pattrick
Stanton
CHI 2-1 PHI
Mac
Berry
Irish
Steve
FRANK KLOPAS
“I got this thing
and it is fucking
golden” - 0 LA
Ernst, Bercham,
Amos Magee,
Junior Agogo
CHI 3-2 PHI
Berry
Paladini (2)
WE WILL TRAVEL ANYWHERE Part 2
Marcin
Section 8 had an impressive record of travel in 2012 with real presence
at every away game - from a low of 8 fans on 09/12 in Toronto to a
high of 610 fans on 05/26 in Columbus. Here is the summary part 2:
Friday, June 29, 2012: Kansas City - 67 Fire supporters -
CHI 1-0 SKC
Even though there was no bus going from Chicago due to difficulties in scheduling, the
attendance and vocal support was superb. The match was played in 100 F weather and
fans driving to the game from Illinois had to cut through and enormous rainstorm to get
to Kansas City. The match also featured one S8OT participant propose to his girlfriend that
was a genuine surprise to her and, accidentally, one of the leaders, as well. Fire managed
to get a win that night.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012: Houston - 21 Fire supporters -
CHI 0-0 HOU
Even though over 20 Fire fans attended this game and wanted to stay organized, the
careless Dynamo Front Office split the Chicago group into several sections so vocal support
was very limited. Two of the groups got together some time after kickoff but it was still
not enough to mark any significant presence with the remainder of the Chicagoans still
scattered. A scoreless dull match.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012: New York - 32 Fire supporters -
CHI 0-1 NYR
A truly fantastic mid-week showing, especially with no local support present. Peculiar
weather conditions (100 F at 1 PM kickoff and 102 F at the end of the game) caused many
locals to leave after the first half. The teams had to compete in these conditions and New
York managed to win courtesy of Thierry Henry. S8OT bunch vocally supported Fire almost
the entire 90 which, given the heat, was a big achievement.
Saturday, July 28, 2012: San Jose - 26 Fire supporters -
CHI 1-1 SJE
Another good showing on the West coast in cool weather (only about 50 F) but with lots
of energy and vocal support of the Chicago group. Some of S8OT was comprised of team
invitees but they gracefully helped in support that lasted about 15 minutes throughout
the game. Sean Johnson had 10 saves that night but a very late San Jose goal in the 96th
minute equalized the match.
CHI 3-1 PHI
Sunday, August 12, 2012: Philadelphia - 26 Fire supporters -
A S8OT Hispanic night with attendees being mostly Sector Latino members. The vocal
support was almost exclusively in Spanish for the entire 90 minutes and various Hispanic
songs abounded, as there really are many of them. Fire win from behind with good play.
Sons of Ben were occupied with chanting against S8OT which showed how powerful we
were.
LEO! percovich
El Guapo
Ladies and gentlemen, and Ben Burton, I would like to introduce Leo Percovich.
Leo has been with the Chicago Fire as an assistant coach since the 2011-2012 season. If
you have not had the pleasure to meet with him I can tell you Leo is all about Tradition
Honor Passion.
1. How much did futbol (soccer) influence you while growing up in Uruguay?
Growing up in Uruguay, futbol taught me to never quit, to know that you can always find a
way to win, and the real belief to depend on myself, not make excuses.
2. When exactly did you come over to the United States and how big of a transition was it?
I came to the United States in 2005 when Fernando Clavijo, then the head coach of the
Colorado Rapids, invited me to work with him. I was so lucky to have Fernando as a mentor
in MLS. His patience and knowledge helped me transition. As a league, MLS is different
from all the others in terms of rules, style of coaching, youth programs, types of players,
etc. To adjust to the way MLS works, I had to adapt quickly to the league and slowly was
able to introduce my experience and personality into my coaching style.
3. Do you put ketchup on your hot dog? Do you know why it’s a big no no in Chicago?
NEVER. Just German mustard. I don’t put ketchup or mayonnaise on hot dogs. I like to be
original with just mustard.
4. You’ve been in Chicago since 2011 and before that you have been in Toronto, Los Angeles
and Denver. What sets Chicago apart from the other cities?
From my experience, Chicago is way better to live in than LA, Toronto, or Denver. Chicago
is beautiful not only because of the architecture but the beauty of Chicago is in the people,
who have a lot of personality, are friendly and happy. Most importantly the people in
Chicago build true relationships and live a genuine lives, so I’m happy to be here.
5. I’ve seen you at practice coaching the players with so much emotion and passion. Was
there a certain coach that you pattern yourself after or is that all 100% Leo?
PASSION is the engine that drives my LIFE, and LOVE is the gasoline that turns this engine
ON. I have had GREAT coaches before, but nobody can teach you that. My passion came
from while I was still young, from my parents. It grew up with me and it is my responsibility
to share with all what I’m doing. As a coach you need your own style, seasoned with things
that you believe will add more quality and efficiency to your work. These spices for sure
come from learning from others, good and bad coaches.
6. You have been around the world learning the trade with other prestigious clubs Is
there one common factor they all have that you can bring to our club?
YES, and I still try to bring it. There’s a PLAN, there’s a STRATEGY, there’s a METHOD in
what you really BELIEVE is basic in your knowledge and experience, and you have to
be CONSISTENT WITH THAT, no matter what the fans like or don’t like, no matter if the
directors don’t like it, no matter if the media doesn’t like it. You have a RESPONSIBILITY to
execute all these things and bring the results, and always be ready to cut off the PROBLEMS
or to add new SOLUTIONS.
7. Is there a Uruguayan restaurant in the city that makes you think “This is place is 2nd
to none compared to back home.”
No but Italian restaurants always make me feel truly at home.
8. Who do you have winning the UEFA Champions League title?
It’s difficult for me to say, because it’s a final and both teams will be ready, committed to
do everything to win, but in some point, the team that will win is the one that is better
at concentrating with their 11 players on the field, the players who come in the game as
subs, and by the movements and messages of their coaches. Because of that I think that
Bayern Munich is going to win. (This was asked two weeks before the semifinal matches)
9. What is your favorite memory while on the Uruguayan National team?
The first time I was called in for the national team, that was a great memory. That’s the
moment when you don’t feel any pain, just all the feelings of pride, excitement and
adrenaline, just excited to make your first appearance.
10. You have a choice to invite any three people dead or alive for dinner. Who do you
pick?
Okay, I like big tables, at least ten people, but for this dinner I will invite Maradona, Jose
Mourinho and Leonidas, the Brave King of Sparta.
Leo I would like to thank you very much for taking the time to answer these questions.
Tom Dunmore
E
arlier this week, I was at a
fan forum for Indianapolis’
new North American Soccer
League (NASL) team Indy Eleven
at one of the city’s finest bars,
Brugge Brasserie in the trendy
neighborhood of Broad Ripple. I
was there because I work for the
team, currently in the process of
uprooting myself and my family the 180
miles from Chicago to central Indiana.
their active support, with a
membership now over 1,100,
prompted the team’s primary
investor Ersal Ozdemir to take
the significant risk of starting up
a new team in a place where pro
soccer hasn’t stuck before.
After presenting on the team’s identity the crest and colors are drawn from the
Indianapolis civic flag and the statue of Lady
Victory atop the city’s centerpiece Civil War
memorial monument downtown, and the
name references that war’s famed 11th
Indiana volunteer regiment along with the
obvious soccer tie-in - I talked to many of
the fans there who are unbelievably excited
about professional soccer coming to the city
(3,350+ fans have already placed season
ticket deposits for the team’s inaugural 2014
NASL campaign).
One of the first to come up to me was a
gentleman who had also moved to Indy from
Chicago. Turns out he was Barn Burner #15,
and we discussed his days at Soldier Field,
standing with the Polish Ultras and watching
soccer take-off in the Windy City.
There is a strong Chicago flavor to the same
effort taking place in Indianapolis, perhaps
mainly because it is being led by the same
man: Peter Wilt, the founding GM of the
Fire, and now the founding President and
GM of Indy Eleven. As he did in Chicago,
Peter is doing a remarkable job with his
characteristic earnest and tireless approach
tying together the community behind the
team, from the youth soccer clubs to the
supporters groups.
The supporters group also has a whiff
of Chicago to it. The Brickyard Battalion
founded in 2011, long before a NASL team
was in the offing; like the Sons of Ben in Philly,
they aimed to be the presence that brought
pro soccer to their city. And they succeeded:
Many of the Battalion’s members and
leaders are Fire fans - they outnumber
equidistant Columbus fans by far - including
the group’s Vice-President, Brett Corbit. In
setting up a non-profit, umbrella board with
affiliated supporters groups (my favorite is the
punk rock, Vonnegut-inspired Slaughterhouse-19
group), the Battalion has taken plenty of cues
from Section 8 Chicago on how to build an active
fanbase.
Now Indiana’s soccer fans have their own
hometown team to root for, though it will
be interesting - very interesting - when the
Eleven and the Fire meet in the Open Cup,
a likely scenario in the next couple of years
in what will be the closest competitive away
game the Fire will have played for quite
some time.
The challenge for those working for the
team is finding ways to integrate the core
communities behind the success NASL
has found in Indy so far into a long-term,
sustainable venture. That means embedding
the youth soccer clubs, the supporters
groups, the ethnic groups and the millennialaged fans into everything Indy Eleven does.
Fan forums like the one at Brugge and the
many others that have been done so far
help, giving fans at events across Indiana the
chance to get transparent answers from the
team’s leadership. It isn’t the front office that
drives the team’s success, it’s the thousands
of fans talking about the team and growing
it through word of mouth every day.
Professional soccer has failed many times
in Indiana. With the help of a little Chicago
flavor, it will stick this time and give the
Midwest another strong outpost for the
sport. Bring on that Open Cup game!
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Section 8 Chicago NFP CONTRIBUTORS Stephen Piggott, Marcin, El
P.O. Box 13313 Guapo, Tom Dunmore, Pattrick Stanton, Nick
Chicago, IL 60613-3313 Fedora, Joseph Tollefson, Zachary Pirrello
United States of Americaz
ORIGINAL ART Joseph Tollefson
EMAIL [email protected]
PHOTOS Google.com
WEBSITE s8c.org (media>zine)
CONTRIBUTIONS Ideas, comments, questions,
TWITTER @matchbookZINE suggestions, and/or contributions are welcomed
by e-mail to the address listed. All views exDESIGN/LAYOUT Joseph Tollefson pressed are those of the named contributor and
Zachary Pirrello not necessarily of the editor.
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CROSS WORD
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DOWN
2. Location of watch party
for next week’s match at
Philadelphia.
4. Current MLS co-leading
scorer (Hint: doesn’t play
for Fire).
7. NBC Sports Net
commentator who lived in
Chicago for a brief time.
10. Country for whom
Bakary Soumare plays
internationally.
ACROSS
1. Former Fire defender
8. Host of today’s tailgate.
who lives in Philly who is a
cool ass dude.
9. Soccer legend
scheduled to appear in
3. Nickname of Fire
Chicago June 9th at his
player who received two
documentary screening.
red cards in two straight
games.
10. Player signed by the
Fire, but only played one
5. Union’s all-time leading game in MLS... for Philly.
scorer.
11. Fire Player who was a
6. Current Fire leading
pre-med student at UCscorer.
Davis.
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