Chicago Fire latest news - TalkSoccer

**Frank Cunha** · 14-08-2003, 02:21 AM

what nationality is this kid? was the second draft pick by Chicago Fire on the draft, he just broke the record for goals by a rookie, he looks like his ready for the big time, his a horse

Ricochet · 14-08-2003, 03:58 AM

Damani Ralph is Jamaican, this kid is pretty special, I've heard earlier this year that he wants to get citizenship to the states not sure how true that is but he was schooled here in the states, he went to UCONN.

**Frank Cunha** · 21-08-2003, 12:54 AM

only game to be played this wednesday
first half
0-0 in the first 20 m

Ricochet · 15-09-2003, 08:35 PM

http://www.turfmonster.com/articles/?ID=4&ArticleID=932

Chicago star looking at international options

Chicago's new star striker Damani Ralph is exploring his international avenues, which will decide whether he will become a US, or Jamaican, international.
Ralph has scored 11 goals for the Fire, in his first season as a professional, and has already attracted interest in his services from European clubs eager to capture the 22-year-old.

With his international career now becoming a focus of interest for the Kingston born forward, the US face competition from his homeland Jamaica, with both nations still not tied to the youngster.

"Ralph is not tied to any nation," said Ralph's agent Patrick McCabe of First Artist. "He has one appearance for Jamaica in a friendly last year."

However, at present the US haven't looked to try and cap Ralph, and Bruce Arena has yet to make contact with the player about the possibility of capping him in an international.

"Damani is certainly open to playing for whichever country wants him and whichever country can offer him an international career," added McCabe.

"We are open to exploring both options but there has not been any contact from US Soccer and we would need to hear something from Bruce Arena or US Soccer officials for us to explore that route seriously."

Still, Ralph - now in his fifth year of residency in the US - needs to work on becoming a US citizen, which can take a long time unless he marries a current citizen of the States.

"The process for gaining US citizenship is a lengthy one and there is no fast track process for someone like Damani," noted McCabe.

"We are looking at all our options. Damani has a girlfriend who is a US citizen. Marriage is not impending, however."

Ricochet · 15-09-2003, 09:31 PM

It would be nice to see Damani wearing red, white and blue but if he is going to play for the US he will have to make the 1st move. I don't see Coach Arena making contact with Damani and being accused of stealing another nations top young star. I still don't understand why Jamaica isn't bringing this kid along with the national team.

**Frank Cunha** · 15-09-2003, 11:19 PM

hope Arena don't ,missed this opportunity

Ricochet · 23-09-2003, 05:25 PM

http://www.turfmonster.com/articles/?ID=4&ArticleID=968

Chicago sign unique development deal

Chicago Fire general manager Peter Wilt has signed a deal to expand the club's foothold in youth development by bringing West Michigan Edge soccer club on board.

Effective immediately, the West Michigan Edge (WME) will become the Official Academy Program for the Chicago Fire in West Michigan, Kalamazoo, Lansing and Traverse City. The agreement marks the first of its kind in the United States.

"We are looking to expand the Fire's presence and assist with youth soccer development throughout the region," said Peter Wilt. "Establishing this partnership is an important step in the process of expanding our player identification and development plans.

"This partnership has the potential to develop into a true satellite program of the Chicago Fire Juniors, which we launched earlier this year.

"Ian (McMahon) has a very good soccer background and we are confident that combining resources will result in a very high quality youth development program in West Michigan as well as a way to grow the Fire's fan support in the Midwest."

In addition to the Chicago Fire Juniors, a broad ranged youth soccer club hosted by the Wheaton Park District, the Fire also created the Chicago Fire Academy. The Fire Academy was launched in April 2001 and works in conjunction with the Chicagoland area's top youth soccer clubs to supplement the training that the area's best players receive at their club.

The Academy develops players based on the values and principles of the Chicago Fire through the fostering of good citizenship, interaction with players and coaches and the setting of high standards of behaviour.

"The Edge has the same player development pyramid or vertical integration model, from the beginning recreational player to the professional level, that I believe the Fire is developing," said West Michigan Edge president and GM Ian McMahon. "Around the rest of the world, it is the professional club's responsibility to develop youth.

"This partnership shows that the Fire is leading the way in the USA with this and developing a model that I feel others will ultimately copy and implement."

**Frank Cunha** · 23-09-2003, 05:58 PM

and the Metrostars just got rid of the reserve team 8bo:

Ricochet · 01-10-2003, 07:43 PM

http://www.turfmonster.com/articles/...&ArticleID=998

Jamaica make their move for Ralph

Chicago's young hot shot Damani Ralph has been called up by Jamaica for their international friendly against Brazil in Leicester, England, on October 12.

The Fire striker - who has been in amazing form in his first professional season with Chicago - has been mulling over a fast-track international career, or to wait for his chance to get into the US national team.

“You always want to play for your native country, but at the same time you want to do what's best for your future,” he said. “From what I hear, I'm eligible to play for both countries. I think either way, I'll be able to fit in pretty easily.”

With 11 goals for the Eastern Conference leaders this season, Ralph has now started to drawn attention from his home country. His agent, Patrick McCabe of First Artist, recently noted that the US national team has yet to get in touch.

"We are open to exploring both options but there has not been any contact from US Soccer and we would need to hear something from Bruce Arena or US Soccer officials for us to explore that route seriously," said McCabe.

Recently, Jamaican defender Tyrone Marshall - who plays for Los Angeles, advised Ralph to wait for US citizenship and aim for a place in Bruce Arena's team.

“Even if I did become a (US) citizen, I would feel more Jamaican than American, from the standpoint that I grew up there for 20 years of my life," Ralph added. "But, at the same time, I'm here and I've adapted to the American system.

“I wouldn't look at it as backstabbing; I'd look at it as looking out for my future. In life, everybody has a chance to make their choice and if you make it, you've got to live by it. Up until a week ago, I hadn't heard anything from the Jamaican national team. Everybody has to make their decisions. Everybody has to do what they have to do.”

Jamaica technical director Carl Brown has called in a mostly England-based team, led by strikers Kevin Lisbie - who scored a hat-trick for Charlton Athletic against Liverpool last weekend - and Ricardo Gardner (Bolton Wanderers), and midfielders Jamie Lawrence (Bradford City), Ricardo Fuller (Preston North End) and Micah Hyde (Watford).

He also included three MLS players - which includes Ralph - with Fire team-mate Andy Williams and MetroStars defender Craig Ziadie also heading to England for the international.

**Frank Cunha** · 01-10-2003, 09:16 PM

it looks like it

**Frank Cunha** · 01-10-2003, 09:34 PM

He should listen to Tyrone Marshall

Recently, Jamaican defender Tyrone Marshall - who plays for Los Angeles, advised Ralph to wait for US citizenship and aim for a place in Bruce Arena's team.

**Frank Cunha** · 18-11-2003, 03:03 PM

The Fire's Armas Bounces Back
By JACK BELL

Published: November 18, 2003

hris Armas's anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee crumbled in Washington on May 12, 2002. After playing as the hub in Coach Bruce Arena's midfield, Armas would not join his United States teammates at the World Cup in South Korea.

"I was crushed," Armas said in a telephone interview. "All athletes think they're invincible until something devastating happens."

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Armas has bounced back impressively. He scored the winning goal in overtime Friday night, sending the Chicago Fire to Sunday's Major League Soccer championship game against the San Jose Earthquakes at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. Armas, a tenacious and talented defensive midfielder, is a shoo-in to be the league's comeback player of the year.

Armas, a native of Brentwood, N.Y., who played at Adelphi University, returned to a Fire team that had a new coach, Dave Sarachan, and that had been picked by many people to finish out of the playoffs after losing Coach Bob Bradley, Dema Kovalenko, Josh Wolff, Hristo Stoitchkov and Peter Nowak.

"There were a group of people who picked us last; that was a motivating tool for us," Armas, the Fire's captain, said. "We knew we had a good team."

What many people forgot is that the Fire roster still includes a solid group of veteran and younger players like goalkeeper Zach Thornton, defenders Jim Curtin and Carlos Bocanegra, midfielder DaMarcus Beasley and striker Ante Razov. The newcomer Andy Williams and the rookie Damani Ralph also helped to energize the team.

Even though Chicago's focus is on the title match this weekend, it could lose Armas, Bocanegra and Beasley, all United States national team players, to clubs overseas. The contracts of all three expire after the M.L.S. season.

In a way, Armas's injury opened his eyes, making him realize that at 31 he is probably about to sign his last professional contract. He said he would like to stay in M.L.S., but the financial security that would come from playing overseas could be hard to turn down. He could double or triple his salary, which is the M.L.S. maximum of $275,000 a year, and pocket a substantial signing bonus.

Although the European transfer period does not begin until Jan. 1, Armas's representatives have been contacted by Everton and Leicester City in England and Dundee United in Scotland. He is especially attractive now because M.L.S. would not be due a transfer fee. Before he was injured, Armas had drawn interest from Atletico Madrid in Spain, which was prepared to pay a transfer fee of between $1 million and $1.5 million.

"Right now, I have to say that there's more of a chance of me staying," Armas said. "Could it change in a week? For sure. I have options and they are important to consider; it's a matter of what's good for me and my family."

U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM

Rookie Keeps Going and Going and . . .

If they made a movie about Ricardo Clark, it could be titled "Endless Soccer."

Clark, a rookie midfielder for the MetroStars of Major League Soccer, was with the United States Olympic team for its 6-0 victory last Saturday in Basseterre, the capital of St. Kitts and Nevis. After tomorrow's return Olympic qualifying match in Germantown, Md., Clark will leave Saturday with the under-20 national team for the United Arab Emirates and the world youth championship Nov. 27-Dec. 19. The United States is in a first-round group with Germany, Paraguay and South Korea.

Clark has been going since August 2002, starting with a complete season at Furman University. He got a break in December, was picked by the MetroStars in the M.L.S. draft in January, then left with the under-20 team for a tournament in Portugal. Back home to collect some personal items, it was off to Argentina with the MetroStars. During the M.L.S. season, Clark led the club in minutes played (2,590). Not bad for a rookie.

"It's been physically and mentally tough, especially this being my first year as a pro," Clark said in a telephone interview from St. Kitts before Saturday's match. "It's been hard to keep that mental sharpness."

Ricochet · 18-11-2003, 09:31 PM

I can't blame him for going oversea's for financial reason's but we need our stars that are older to stay or return to the US to finish there career's like many of the brazilians do after playing in europe for several years.

**Frank Cunha** · 19-11-2003, 12:14 AM

in the USA case we need some of this guys back if they going to help, we also need this guys to be the next college, and pro coach's

**Frank Cunha** · 16-01-2004, 05:43 PM

Chicago take Sumed Ibrahim at #20.

I'm guessing we go with Jeremiah White out of Wake Forest at 21. One of the fastest players I've ever seen on a soccer field at any level.