Top Ten All-Time Chicago Fire Players

I, on behalf of TTCS, am going to take attempt number 3 on a soccer post on this site. In the past, people have not thought too highly of our soccer coverage, (unprofessional foul loved our last soccer post so much, they took the time to critique my points and give their own views. They did not have the kindest words, but needless to say, I still go to their site on occasion.)
Moving on, the Fire have been around since 1998 where they won the MLS Cup in their inaugural season. Since then many talented MLS players have come through Chicago, and below are ten of the best.

10. Justin Mapp
Mapp has been a member of the Fire since 2003 and with an exception of 2007, had played in over 20 games in all six of those season. The lanky outside midfielder ranks fourth on the all-time assists board with 32 helpers.

9. Hristo Stoitchkov
While the Bulgarian international was well past his prime that included a 1994 European Player of the Year award, Stoitchkov still brought quite a bit of flare to the team. From 2000-02 Hristo scored 22 goals in rather limited action. In 2000 he was a member of the MLS "Best 11".

8. Josh Wolff
Wolff might best be remembered for setting up Landon Donovan's second goal in the 2002 World Cup game against Mexico, but 32 goals as a member of the Fire is nothing to shrug at. In 1998 he set a rookie record for goals in a season with eight (since been broken by Damani Ralph). If not for carrying the injury prone tag, Wolff might be one of the most reliable strikers in the MLS.

7. Zach Thornton
Thornton made being a goalie cool. Anything, and I mean anything in the six-yard box was his if he wanted it. The 1998 Goalkeeper of the Year winner would do anything short of kill somebody for the ball.

6. Carlos Bocanegra
Bocanegra might be the most decorated Fire player of all-time. In 2000 Bocanegra won the Rookie of the Year award. In both 2002 and 2003 he was given the MLS Defensive Player of the Year award. Not to mention being on the "Best 11" in '02 and '03.

5. Ante Razov
Despite Razov's inability to use his right foot, (at all, really it was bad) a franchise-leading 76 goals will take some time to be broken. The forward scored 10 goals or more five times in his seven years in the Windy City. Surprisingly, Razov also ranks third all-time in assists with 38.

4. Cuauhtémoc Blanco
While he has only been in Chicago for two seasons, no one has influenced soccer in Chicago, or the league even, than Blanco. He is a god to Latin fans and the once hated Mexican National Team star might have even dropped a few notches on some Americans hit lists. He has brought in a veteran presence with more experience than many will have in soccer.

3. Chris Armas
Armas will always be known as the unsung hero. On multiple occasions teammates have said that he does things that go unnoticed to many on TV, but on the field makes all the difference. Armas is the only member of the Fire to be on the "Best 11" four times and ranks second on the Fire all-time assists list.

2. DeMarcus Beasley
If I am going to complain about Razov's right foot, there is no way Beasley's right can go unmentioned. But for some time, Beasley was the MLS's equivalent to Christiano Ronaldo. By no means would I typically put the two in the same phrase, but his elusiveness and lightning-quick abilities could draw comparisons. Not to mention he was flat-out the most exciting player in the MLS to watch.

1. Peter Nowak
Nowak was the captain of the Fire from 1998-2002. During those seasons he led the team to an MLS Cup and two US Open wins in 1998, 2000. The three-time "Best 11" player brought more than just success to the team on the field. A large amount of the Fire following are Polish, and this is largely true because of Nowak's presence to the team. He is now the coach of the US under-23 squad.