The Fire will have the spotlight all to themselves Saturday Night when we face off against the Revolution. It's the only MLS game on the docket, and both teams will be hungry for a win after crushing USOC losses. I expect this to be quite a match full of offense and scuffling play. These two teams have built somewhat of a rivalry up, and given the circumstances for both teams heading into this game, the stakes will be even higher.

Last week I said that I would write a double post covering the Dallas and Columbus matches. Unfortunately, the Columbus match is too much in the forefront of my mind right now than the Dallas one. I was expecting to get three points out of Columbus, and I'm really bothered that we didn't. I just can't shake it, so I've obsessed over it this past week.

It's been awhile since I dropped a hat trick and QOTD, so the time is ripe to bring it back out from the shadows. It has certainly been a disappointing last week for Fire fans, first dropping the result to Columbus and then the shocking loss to the Michigan Bucks Tuesday night in USOC competition.

Around 1,300 miles, covered by bus for a total trip time of around 30 hours. Since last Saturday, it has felt like I've done little but be surrounded by mildly inebriated fellow Fire fans seeing the (non) sights of Midwestern freeways. And both trips – to Columbus on Saturday in MLS and to Pontiac on Tuesday for the Open Cup – ended with feelings of severe disappointment, mingled with exhaustion and frustration.

The new SB Nation Power Rankings are out. The Fire hold steady at number 10 even after they lost this past Saturday in Columbus. A bit surprise considering a lack luster first half and a panicked second half should have warranted a drop of at least one place in my humble opinion. Let us take a quick look at the rest of the SB Nation Power Rankings

Early this morning I wrote a "recap" of last night's debacle in Michigan on the way back to Chicago. Due to technological failure on my end, I wasn't able to post it right away. So join me after the jump to relive the emotional horror that was last night.

What the hell happened? I just witnessed the biggest f*****g disgrace in my tenure as a Fire fan.

One of my favorite weekends of the year typically happens during the first week of the New Year. Once the hangover from New Year's Eve has finally begun to subside, there's usually another excellent opportunity to head over to the pub and start an all-day drinking session.

Such is the magic of the English Football Association (FA) Cup Third Round, when English Premier League sides finally enter the tournament.

There were 12 matches over this week. Three mid-week and nine over the holiday weekend. That's a lot of soccer, but I still want to watch more. Why couldn't the MLS schedule a game on Memorial Day? There are 3 Canadian teams that aren't participating in the US Open Cup. Nothing would scream "memorializing those who fought for American liberty" more than teams from Vancouver and French speaking Montreal in a game that is overwhelmingly popular everywhere except America.

Chicago Fire vs. Michigan Bucks in 3rd Round U.S. Open Cup play. It's halftime and the score is tied 1-1. Corben Bone scored a goal in the 28th minute. Kenny Uzoigwe opened the scoring when he put the Bucks up 1-0 in the 9th minute. Chicago has not looked good and they are fortunate to have the game tied 1-1 unfortunately.

Former Michigan Bucks employee Jeff Crandall has been rocking the previews for tonight's game. The first link above takes you to a traditional preview. This link takes you to '5 Things You Should Know'.

Ben Mann over at Adidas PR asked me to post something up on HTIOT to help spread the word in the Chicago Soccer Community about the opportunity to meet members of the Mexican National team. The even is scheduled for tomorrow, May 29th from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM CST. The team will be on hand to sign autographs and meet fans.

On the NBC 5 Chicago broadcast yesterday, they mentioned that referee Allen Chapman was officiating just his 2nd MLS Regular Season match. Chicago Fire head coach Frank Klopas might get a pass on not including Chapman's style in his game plan. At least twenty minutes into the game though, it was clear Chapman was going to allow a very loose game.

The showdown in CowTown is tonight. No Fire fan should miss this game- for any reason. 600+ Fire fans are en route to Crew Stadium as the Firehouse East invasion is in full swing. The atmosphere is going to be tremendous, and I am very confident the Fire can bring home all 3 points. I can't wait to see a stand full of Fire red, flags waving and voices in full song.

This 3 questions exchange will be a bit more abbreviated than it normally is (at least for right now). Due to time constraints, I was able to get our questions answered by Matt Bernhardt over at Massive Report. However, Matt has not been able to get questions to me yet, but if he does I will post them on the end of this article once I get them answered.

The importance of television rights to soccer clubs and leagues cannot be overstated. Through these contracts, television networks disperse an enormous amount of currency worldwide to soccer leagues and their clubs. Television rights and distribution are the lifeblood of any league in any sport across the globe.