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Tim Hotze

@thotze.bsky.social

1.3K followers 460 following 1.5K posts

Managing Editor @meninred97.com Chicago Fire (& other) soccer Member @soccerreporters.bsky.social MLS Roster Rule nerd. GAM aficionado.

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Tim Hotze @thotze.bsky.social · 11h

Shoutout to former #cf97 center back Wyatt Omsberg, representing the great state of Maine

Soccerwise @soccerwisehq.bsky.social · 11h

Introducing our Main(e) people!

Here’s who you voted for plus some names from us and @kickbackcommittee.bsky.social 🎉

#50StatesofSoccer

Tim Hotze @thotze.bsky.social · 16h

Someone pitched a thesis to me a while back that basically boiled down to:
Current US pipeline is better at producing "solid" talent than ever... (seems true)
BUT is less likely to make "great" talent. Seems false to me – it was never likely but isn't less now.

Would love your take on it, tho

Reposted by Tim Hotze

Sophie Lawson @lawsonsv.bsky.social · 21h

VAR screen during a PL game showing the "decision" as "you love to see it"

Tim Hotze @thotze.bsky.social · 1d

For comparison - here's the available seats for Argentina v Venezuela tomorrow @ Hard Rock. Unclear if upper bowl were ever for sale.

Also looks like sales have been bad; this one likely can't move to smaller venue b/c Inter Miami using Chase Stadium the next day

Reposted by Tim Hotze

Matthew Doyle @mattdoyle.bsky.social · 1d

The US are into the U-20 World Cup quarterfinals for the fifth consecutive tournament.

**insert 2000 words on the MLS academy initiative kicking off in 2007, and this being immediately downstream of that**

Reposted by Tim Hotze

Heather Cherone @heathercherone.bsky.social · 1d

Perry: If the Trump administration deploys the National Guard, it is "likely to lead to civil unrest."

Tim Hotze @thotze.bsky.social · 1d

You quoted someone from the event saying that it was due to low ticket sales and then somehow tried to make it a story about something else. Jamie did the reporting! Then moved to parrot someone else's line without sourcing.

Block Club does great work but PLEASE be more responsible w/reporting

Tim Hotze @thotze.bsky.social · 1d

@joechatz.bsky.social I will sorely miss you if you get it but you'd kill it at The Guardian and we both know you're destined for bigger things than sitting next to me in the press box every Saturday.

Tim Hotze @thotze.bsky.social · 1d

Most reports on the topic quoted the #AFA here stating it's over "unrest" in Chicago but as explained in the article – they have an incentive to be saying what they are, meaning I wouldn't trust reporting that doesn't also speak reference other sources.

MenInRed97 Media @meninred97.com · 1d

Money, not concerns over immigration protests, caused #AFA to move Argentina's upcoming match against Puerto Rico from Soldier Field to Chase Stadium in Florida

Here's the story: meninred97.com/sources-comm...

Sources: Commercial concerns, not protests or immigration, caused Argentina-Puerto Rico friendly relocation to Florida - MIR97 Media

On October 13th, Lionel Messi and La Albiceleste were slated to host a friendly match against Puerto Rico at Soldier Field. On Wednesday, news broke – confirmed by MIR97 Media – that the game is to be...

Tim Hotze @thotze.bsky.social · 2d

Anecdotally - Puerto Rican Chicagoans I've talked to (who would be US citizens, like all Puerto Ricans) - said they haven't been changing plans – I know some going to Wrigley tonight.

But they also didn't know this game was (supposed to be) happening when I asked.

Tim Hotze @thotze.bsky.social · 2d

Yes, feels like cover. Again - why would this event be the only one affected, with other major events- incl. ones that attract large parts of the same communities - still be on?

Tim Hotze @thotze.bsky.social · 2d

That + this wasn't well-promoted - I think I saw one ad for it in town (& none at Fire games, in same venue) & very high ticket prices. Puerto Rico not being a top-tier opponent may have kept away neutrals (but was a great opportunity for FPF to connect to large Puerto Rican pop in Chicago).

Tim Hotze @thotze.bsky.social · 2d

1 more on this: These seats were available for sale as of 1PM CT today.

Is it possible no one bought tix b/c of immigration/protest concerns? Sure, but tix went on sale a month ago.

Fire had a crowd of 24,653 at the venue on Saturday.

Tim Hotze @thotze.bsky.social · 2d

There is a large protest scheduled for 10/18 & have been scattered protests away from downtown but major events continue to take place in Chicago.

Cubs @ Wrigley tonight; Chicago Marathon w/50k runners from around the world happening as scheduled 1 day before this match would have been played.

Tim Hotze @thotze.bsky.social · 2d

Also think this is important w/reporting out there that "immigration crackdown & protests" caused event to move - These were for-sale seats as of 1PM CT today and I'm being told commercial concerns drove the move.

Tim Hotze @thotze.bsky.social · 2d

I mean in theory ppl could have avoided buying b/c of ICE concerns but I've heard that there were recent discussions from organizers over staffing minimums, etc., which makes me think that their concerns were entirely commercial.

But connecting it to protests, IMO, is just irresponsible reporting.

Tim Hotze @thotze.bsky.social · 2d

Also FWIW: I think we'll have good things when we choose to get good things. Then the bad things are irrelevant (and a lot just.... disappear as a result).

Tim Hotze @thotze.bsky.social · 2d

FWIW - sources I've talked to have said that the concerns were commercial, with almost no tickets having been sold.

Chicago Cubs playing a home playoff game tonight; Chicago Marathon w/50k athletes from around the world + many more spectators happening this Sunday w/no changes

Tim Hotze @thotze.bsky.social · 2d

The World Cup will sell out every match pretty comfortably. What we're finally seeing, however, is soccer fans in this country refusing to empty their wallets just because high-profile players are showing up in meaningless contests

Tim Hotze @thotze.bsky.social · 2d

Mailbox: Event promoters say that the friendly between Argentina and Puerto Rico for Oct 13 has been moved to Ft. Lauderdale for 10/14

No notice on socials or website from promoters or AFA.

Tickets remain on sale at pretty astronomical prices on Ticketmaster's website

Tim Hotze @thotze.bsky.social · 2d

Chicago Fire's Chris Brady voted one of MLS's "22 Under 22," coming in at 11th

#cf97 #VamosFire

Tim Hotze @thotze.bsky.social · 5d

It did come up with Jack afterwards. He laughed.

A very little bit.

Reposted by Tim Hotze

MenInRed97 Media @meninred97.com · 6d

🔥BREAKING RECORDS🔥

With his assist in the 88’ Philip Zinckernagel passes Nemanja Nikolics for most goal contributions in a single season (29)

A record breaking campaign for the newcomer.

#cf97 #vamosfire

Tim Hotze @thotze.bsky.social · 6d

First time in Fire history a player has conceded an own goal and scored multiple times in the same match (& first time in the league since 2023), for whatever that's worth.

MenInRed97 Media @meninred97.com · 6d

In the Fire's regular-season home finale, Jack Elliott made a mistake - then showed his squad how to fight back.

Here's what happened tonight at Soldier Field.

#cf97 #VamosFire

meninred97.com/o-captain-ch...

O Captain: Chicago Fire FC 2, Toronto 2 - MIR97 Media

In their first game back since clinching a postseason spot, the Fire found themselves in a tough spot – trailing for the first time in almost a month but worked their way back, finding energy despite ...

Tim Hotze @thotze.bsky.social · 7d

(The joke's on them: The issue at SeatGeek is that the doors stick, not that they slam.)