You ask, I answer...

Nick from Peoria, IL sent,

Chris - thanks for coming out to Peoria to play the Open Cup game verse the Crew. The Fire looked good and the game was exciting. How was the trip? What did you think about the support you received from the fans?

I enjoyed the trip to Peoria. The drive was no more than 2 1/2 hours - just long enough for us to watch a movie with a little extra free time (we watched a movie from 1981 with Bill Murray and John Candy that did a great job showing the generation gap between the younger players and John Busch - I mean the older players). We first went to Shea Stadium on the campus of Bradley University the morning of the game for a light practice. We were surprised by a large group of kids who had shown up to watch some of our practice and to get autographs, whom I'm guessing were on campus for a soccer camp. When we came back for the game that evening, the field had been watered and the grass had been trimmed to a nice level. By kickoff, the stands were filled and the surrounding standing areas were also occupied. A large group of our front office staff were in attendance, also, which was great to see. I've got to think that the sun was an issue for the fans sitting across from the benches in first half. I was playing on that side and trying to look across the field was difficult at times because of the level of the sun. It was hard to decipher who was on what team, which may have been apparent by my passes? Beats me, I couldn't see... In short, the trip went well, the people were friendly, the hotel food was bad, the field was great, the support was tremendous and we won!

Michelle from Dallas sent,

Hey Chris! What is your favorite place to play other than in Chicago?

I'd have to say, as most of you would guess, that my favorite place to play on the road is Columbus. I enjoy knowing that my family and friends are in attendance. That gives me an extra boost during the game. Another place that I don't mind playing at is D.C. I enjoy their field because it tends to be a quick, low-cut surface that is softer than most of the other fields in MLS. Recently, my brother has been able to make the games there, which like I said above, is always nice.

Rico from Los Angeles sent,

Chris, it was cool watching the U.S. National team play England, Spain and Argentina. I thought you would've helped the team. Were you mad that you didn't get to play those games?

It was great seeing the national team face up against those three teams. I believe that most kids growing up who play soccer fantasize about playing against teams of the that caliber. Of course I would have loved to have played in those games, but I'm not mad that I wasn't included. The coach chose the best team available to him, and whether I'm in that group or not, I will still be excited for the national team as a whole and the players involved. I'm very happy with the way things are going with the Fire and the fact that I've been able to play a role in our success so far.

Dave from Dayton sent,

Will you be watching the European Championship? Who is your choice to be crowned champions?

So far I've been able to catch quite a few games. I have been looking forward to this tournament since 2004. That summer, I was living in Romeoville, IL with a bunch of other professional soccer hopefuls while playing for the Chicago Fire Reserves PDL team. We didn't train until 8 or 9 at night, so we had all day to sit around and watch the games. Picture a decent two bedroom apartment with nothing more than a couch (from Goodwill) and a small tv sitting on a wooden table (from the dumpster) in the living room. Add to that a bunch of college kids including Drew Moor, Vedad Ibisevic, Danny O'Rourke, Dasan Robinson, Brad Guzan among others, eating microwave meals and/or fast food on the ground. All of June everyone was stuck to the television in our poorly furnished apartment just to watch those games. The tournament was exciting that year, but watching the games in that setting definitely added to the enjoyment, somehow.

This year I have to go with The Netherlands. Van Nistelrooy will do the creating up top and Van Der Sar will keep things tight in the back. If they get out of their group, I think they will have a good chance at winning the tournament. I also make a point of watching Portugal, Spain and Germany. Other than that, I'm not too up-to-date on my European soccer!

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