The Daily Dirt, August 10: We Didn’t Start the Fire

Chicago meekly bowed out of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup last night to the New England Revolution. For a team that has little else to play for, their lack of intensity was shocking.

Something seems to be wrong with this team. Yes, they lack some of the talent that other teams in the league have and desperately need some roster reinforcements. They chased Alejandro Bedoya during this transfer window and didn’t get him. They were able to parlay that into some ammunition for January’s transfer window, but how many times can they push their spending off to the next window?

When a team comes out with such a flat performance in a knockout game that should mean everything, you have to wonder if there are issues in the locker room. Taylor Twellman said it on the broadcast, teams in the league do not fear the Fire. Has the team started to tune out Veljko Paunović? Do they not believe in his system? Are they tired of being forced to constantly build out of the back, even when the situation in the game doesn’t call for it? Are there chemistry issues with the players?

Something is wrong when that type of performance is delivered in the team’s biggest game of the season.

Chivas USA, a club that does not even exist anymore, won a road game in MLS more recently than the Fire. They’ve made one playoff appearance since 2009, where they lost in the knockout round in 2012. They had the worst record in the league last year, they have the worst record in the league again this year.

Chicago used to be one of the premier clubs in the league. Now, they’re one of the biggest question marks.

Domestic

Colombia holds the U.S. to a draw in a surprising Olympic result, but the USWNT still won their group and will face Sweden on Friday at 12:00 p.m. in the Quarterfinals (Stars and Stripes FC)

The Revolution are headed to the Open Cup final (The Bent Musket)

adidas’ Creative Director discusses 2018 MLS kits and their influences (MLS)

Busy day for the Sacramento Republic: they signed former Chelsea striker Carlton Cole (Indomitable City Soccer) and announced an October friendly with Chivas de Guadalajara (team website)

LAFC gets more local in its ownership group and adjust responsibilities (The Goat Parade)

You can watch Saturday’s New York Cosmos vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies match on AOL.com

International

Former Seattle Sounders midfielder Andy Rose scores in extra time for Coventry City to lead the Sky Blues to a League Cup win over Portsmouth, Atlanta United’s Chris McCann expected to figure in their next matchup in the tournament (Coventry Telegraph)

Julian Green will be part of Bayern Munich’s squad for 2016-17 (Twitter)

Shake up in Tottenham’s front office (The Guardian)

Will Jose Mourinho get the best out of Paul Pogba? (The Guardian)

Local

The Falcons are preparing for their preseason opener against Washington tomorrow night (The Falcoholic)

Braves continue their good run of form, win in Milwaukee last night (Talking Chop)

Which Hawks acquisition will have the biggest impact next season? (Peachtree Hoops)

Georgia Tech Athletic Director Mike Bobinski leaving for Purdue (From the Rumble Seat)