Episodes

  • Scoring a Touchdown in D.C., Dueling Stadiums in the 78, and a Grudge Match on Deck
    Jun 12 2025

    0:07 – Intro

    1:09 – Recapping D.C. vs CFFC (team goals, new positions, and a rookie debut!)

    4:27 – Winning by 7 goals > losing by 7 goals

    5:43 – Zinckernagel embracing the #10 role

    9:00 – Joy for a healthy Kellyn Acosta

    9:48 – Guti takes his benching like a champ

    14:29 – Flowers for future MLS All-Star Andrew Gutman

    17:07 – Shout out to Jonathan Dean’s Red Army

    17:40 – Are we just the 2004 Phoenix Suns?

    19:20 – Committed to playing out of the back

    21:43 – USMNT down bad after breaking up with Gregg

    25:50 – Thoughts on dueling sports stadiums in the 78

    32:17 – Malört Man of the Match!

    35:05 – Imagine Dragons Imagine This: Picking our dream playoff opponents

    40:25 – Looking ahead to the Nashville SC grudge match

    47:40 – Where are Gregg and BJ going pre-match drinking Friday night?

    50:15 – Chicago moments of the week

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    54 mins
  • Flowers for Good Billionaires (New Stadium!), a Gritty Win in Orlando, and Eyes on a Playoff Spot
    Jun 5 2025

    0:07 – Intros

    0:26 – New stadium!

    1:57 – Flowers for good billionaires

    5:48 – Dreaming of a pitch-to-pitch Chicago River water taxi

    7:28 – Cheers for an owner who’s ready to spend

    8:24 – CFFC stadium project learning from Soldier Field pitfalls

    13:56 – What’s on our stadium wish list?

    16:17 – Reminder: Let our fans make the culture (versus manufactured atmosphere)

    20:08 – Recapping a gritty win against Orlando

    23:16 – Momentum versus xG and a bevy of blocked shots from ORL

    24:55 – Shout out to Gregg and his unexpected game plan

    25:55 – Unveiling the Tough Knuckles Gritty Player Award

    31:46 – Heat check on the Fire’s playoff potential

    34:53 – Michael’s PT Corner – injury report

    40:28 – Johnny’s Reddit Roundup

    44:07 – Picking our Malört Man of the Match

    48:53 – Looking ahead to D.C. United

    57:01 – Chicago moments of the week

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    1 hr
  • A Tough Loss at the Ball Park, Midfield Chaos, and Embracing Toxic Positivity
    May 29 2025

    0:08 – Intros

    0:26 – NYFC v CFFC recap

    1:47 – Yankee Stadium or Coney Island Funhouse?

    3:05 – Bamba pays the cost for Guti’s error

    5:00 – Does Gregg carry any blame for tactical changes with 10 men?

    10:27 – Shoddy referee decisions

    16:45 – Finding a role for Kellyn Acosta

    21:54 – Malört Man of the Match!

    25:27 – Toxic positivity and the sandwich method for our boys

    27:13 – Evaluating Kouame’s impact

    29:15 – Damning W-L-D record versus NYCFC

    31:55 – Gregg’s Dogg House (Guti’s soul searching tips)

    34:49 – Accountability for the HSWGG crew

    39:57 – Where would we all choose to play in Europe?

    41:30 – Looking ahead to Orlando

    43:57 – Chicago moments of the week

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    48 mins
  • Handshakes with Gregg – Episode Seven – Winning in the Windy City, ATL Struggles, and Broadcaster Beef
    May 14 2025

    0:07 – Intro

    0:25 – Initial thoughts on Fire vs. ATL

    1:46 – CFFC temperature check after back-to-back wins

    4:15 – Standout performers on the weekend

    6:49 – Acosta’s absence lets the homegrown midfield shine

    8:26 – Gregg tweaks tactics to outmaneuver the 3-4-2-1 / back 5

    11:24 – A clear vision for Chicago Fire FC

    11:55 – Jonathan Bamba: confidence issues or slow and steady progress?

    17:08 – Zinkernagel and Cuypers trending upward

    18:40 – The Bamba-Gutman connection

    20:25 – Malört Man of the Match

    23:30 – Damn Atlanta looked bad

    25:30 – A tiny bouquet of flowers for Sam Rogers

    27:10 – A BIG bouquet of flowers for the fans at Soldier Field

    29:14 – The Apple+ broadcast team needs to kiss and make up

    31:46 – The Imagine Dragons Imagine Dragons: CB Wishlist

    37:28 – Looking ahead to Charlotte FC

    40:39 – What’s Gregg thinking tactics-wise?

    45:44 – Cuypers vs. Tim Ream

    49:31 – Chicago moments of the week

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    53 mins
  • Handshakes with Gregg – Episode Six – Chris Brady Goes Full Ninja, Our Homegrown Midfield Hangs Tough, and a Win in Detroit
    May 9 2025

    0:22 – Fire vs. Orlando City SC thoughts

    1:40 – Cuppy Coffee gets first start

    3:10 – Chris Brady’s confidence and upside potential

    5:19 – Resilience of Gregg’s squad

    10:28 – The Imagine Dragons Imagine Section

    13:20 – Is Chris Brady the poor man’s William Saliba?

    15:30 – Chicago Fire FC: Talented and Stupid

    16:58 – Jonathan Dean vs. Omari Glasgow

    21:40 – The Malört Man of the Match

    25:48 – Detroit City FC breakdown

    31:00 – Did anyone force their way into the starting XI?

    33:50 – Gregg dealing with Chris Brady

    36:13 – Lineups vs. Atlanta this weekend

    40:00 – The Acosta Elephant in the Room

    44:10 – A Lesson from Chicago Bears HC Ben Johnson

    44:49 – Thank you Jack Elliot

    46:05 – Atlanta score predictions

    49:30 – Chicago moment of the week

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    53 mins
  • Handshakes with Gregg – Episode Five – Overserved in Nashville, Gregg’s Dogg House, and a Tough Road Ahead
    May 1 2025

    0:08 – Intro

    0:58 – Did the boys get rowdy on Broadway Friday night?

    4:30 – Nashville gets the jump (and doesn’t look back)

    6:05 – Rope-a-dope tactics from Callaghan

    7:28 – Breaking unwritten sportsmanship rules

    10:57 – Who’s in timeout for Orlando?

    11:56 – Introducing Gregg’s Dogg House

    16:34 – Missing Some BIG BUTTS in the midfield

    19:44 – B.J. Callaghan Roofies Gregg at Pre-Game Dinner

    22:32 – Gregg’s self-care after a 7-2 loss

    27:23 – Evaluating the Fire Midfield

    32:23 – Imagine Dragon’s Imagine Yourself (D’Avilla and Cupps edition)

    41:34 – When should we be worried?

    46:11 – Malort Man of the Match!

    48:35 – Win, Loss, Draw (upcoming fixtures)

    56:12 – Keys to the game vs. Orlando

    1:01:36 – Chicago moment of the week

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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • Handshakes with Gregg - Episode Four – Referee Interference, Decisions in Midfield, and The Gaffer Goes Line Dancing
    Apr 24 2025

    0:08 – Intros

    0:31 – Cincinnati vibe check

    3:15 – Teran injury nightmare

    7:45 – Referee 1 – 0 Chicago Fire

    10:43 – Did Gregg get outcoached?

    14:25 – D'Avilla off to a rocky start

    23:19 – Choosing a midfield 3

    25:06 – Trouble breaking the press

    30:33 – Malort* Man of the Match!

    39:09 – Which Fire players need to improve?

    41:16 – Lineups vs. Nashville SC

    50:23 – Score predictions

    57:07 – Gregg loves Honky Tonks

    58:00 – Chicago Fire FC the Musical

    1:00:19 – Chicago moment of the week

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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Handshakes with Gregg - Episode Three – Messi Leaves Goalless, A Tale of Two Hoodies, and Chris Brady Catches a Stray
    Apr 18 2025

    0:06 – Intros

    1:00 – Inter Miami Recap

    5:11 – Gregg Handshake SNUB

    6:00 – Hoodie vs. Hoodie

    9:10 – Celebrating an all-Chicago midfield

    10:55 – Abundance mindset for our front 3

    15:50 – A work in progress playing out of the back

    21:02 – Malort Man of the Match

    24:40 – Next match: Cincinnati FC

    31:25 – SPECIAL GUEST: Megan “Megssi” Klein… Bravo Lover, Chris Brady Hater

    38:12 – Chicago highlights of the week

    42:54 – Happy Birthday, Mr. Keeney!

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    44 mins
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