Feed the Fire: A Chicago Fire Podcast · Glass House Soccer, Bleav

Chicago Fire FC Preseason vs. LA Galaxy Recap and Centerback Profiles

February 9, 2026·33 min·2 clips

Joel Waterman is described as the “retribution” center back Chicago Fire lacked in 2024.

1. Feed the Fire: A Chicago Fire Podcast covers Chicago Fire FC’s preseason match against LA Galaxy and a full centerback profile segment. 2. Nick hosts the show and frames the episode around Chicago Fire preseason, Major League Soccer, and the club’s centerback rotation. 3. The episode asks what to take from a 3-2 preseason win at the Coachella Valley Invitational and which center backs fit the 2026 roster. 4. Chicago Fire opened the match with Chris Brady in goal, Jack Elliott and Bazzeli-Boazzi at center back, Leo Barroso and Andrew Gutman outside, and Hugo Kuypers up front. 5. Nick says Bazzeli-Boazzi got his first Chicago Fire minutes after his paperwork cleared, and he looked calm playing out of the back. 6. He says the physicality mostly showed up in midfield because Chicago Fire pressured LA Galaxy high and kept the ball in the Galaxy half. 7. Nick notes Haile Selassie started on the left instead of Jonathan Bamba, and he says that could have been rest or rotation. 8. After halftime, Joel Waterman replaced Bazzeli-Boazzi and, at the 60th minute, all other field players were subbed out. 9. Nick says the broadcast repeatedly miscalled Jeff Gall as Chris Brady and also mispronounced Daniel Zinkernagel and Hugo Kuypers. 10. Chicago Fire’s first goal came from Zinkernagel drawing three defenders before slipping Kuypers a near-post pass. 11. The second goal started with Robin Ludd winning the ball, then Haile Selassie found Zinkernagel for a far-post finish. 12. LA Galaxy answered after the halftime and 60-minute changes with Gabriel Pec scoring on a counterattack assisted by João Klaus. 13. Pec scored again after Gall saved the first shot, and Nick criticizes Chicago Fire’s defense for not stepping up after the rebound. 14. Chris Mueller’s 30 minutes stand out because he pressed hard, argued for a corner, and then scored by redirecting Omari Glasgow’s cross. 15. Nick says the 3-2 result matters less than Chicago Fire winning individual and tactical battles while building a winning habit. 16. Jack Elliott’s profile emphasizes 30 years, 6-foot-6 size, an Ironman record, and a career that ran from Fulham youth and West Virginia to Philadelphia Union and Chicago Fire. 17. Joel Waterman’s profile highlights his path through Kitsap Pumas, Cavalry FC, CF Montreal, 15 Canada caps, and a reputation as a physical center back opponents dislike facing. 18. Sam Rogers, Christopher Cupps, and Bazzeli-Boazzi are discussed as the depth and future of the position, with salary, age, and development all shaping the competition. 19. Listeners who follow Chicago Fire roster building and preseason tactics will get the most from this episode. 20. Listeners wanting only match highlights without roster analysis may skip it.

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