Chicago Fire midweek training: 3 takeaways from Week 1
1. New commentary team shows club on the rise
One of the biggest question marks still hanging over the Chicago Fire after the first game of the season was one that didn’t involve the team on the pitch that in the broadcasting booth. After the last season ended, long-time play-by-play commentator Dan Kelly announced that he would be moving on from the club. Soon enough, Frank Klopas was out of the booth as well after being signed on as an assistant coach for the team on the pitch. When the deal with WGN was announced, who would take their place in the booth was unknown.
On Tuesday, the Fire announced the new team would include the voice of NBC Sports’ Premier League coverage, Arlo White, up-and-coming commentator, Tyler Terens, and former Kansas City Wizards goalkeeper, Tony Meola.
Arlo White is a man who needs very little introduction for most who follow soccer from America. He’s been involved in NBC Sports’ coverage of the Premier League for seven years. While he will be considered a part of the official WGN Broadcast team, he will be prioritizing the Premier League and will not be involved in the booth until the summer.
Until White comes in, Tyler Terens will take the play-by-play role for WGN. He’s fairly new to the commentating scene but reports from his last job with Phoenix Rising have been extremely positive. And then there is Meola, the man who stole the 2000 MLS Cup from the Chicago Fire. There will be plenty of fans who will feel at least a little strange about associating him with the club, but he is an experienced analyst who has covered a World Cup.
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While the Chicago Fire’s rebrand has been much-maligned, they have also restructured the club in many other progressive ways, including vastly improved social media presence and coverage and the move to Soldier Field. This commentary team is a part of that development. It illustrates a club on the rise once again.