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Article posted: 7/4/2012 5:21 PM

Fire at a loss without a geographical rival

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While Chicago Fire players and fans can get excited about scoring a goal in any MLS match, the Fire is the only team in the league without a true geographic rival. If the league expands to a 20th team and places it in New York, the Red Bulls will get an instant rival in their market.

Photo courtesy of Chicago Fire/Brian Kersey

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While other teams in Major League Soccer have natural or geographical rivalries, the Chicago Fire doesn't. The Brimstone Cup? Don't even bring that up. The lack of a truly hated rival, says Daily Herald soccer expert Orrin Schwarz, leaves Fire fans shorthanded and makes Chicago just another flyover zone for MLS action.