Is it too late for Chicago Fire to qualify for World Cup?

Mockery of our American cousins for their knowledge of US Soccerball, while hilarious, is often misplaced. By and large they understand the game. But sometimes, just sometimes, they do themselves no favours. Take Bastian Schweinsteiger’s Chicago Fire unveiling for example.

Reporter: “Do you expect now that you’re here Bastian that a World Cup goal for Chicago Fire is a realistic expectation?”

He actually said these words out loud in front of the world. And asked it twice since he assumed that something was lost in translation. Schweinsteiger was suitably bemused - assuming that it couldn’t be a real question. It did seem like Ashton Kutcher was about to pop out somewhere.

Video: Schweinsteiger asked by journo. if he can lead #MLS side Chicago Fire to World Cup glory !?!?https://t.co/I4iECXSnWp pic.twitter.com/LWbmVuIfe2

— AS English (@English_AS) March 30, 2017

The German international turned to his manager for help who thought he’d clear things up by saying that “Not World Cup, we as a club don’t play for the World Cup”. We’re glad that’s cleared up then. He went on to say that we’ll say MLS Cup rather than World Cup.

Without irony - Schweinsteiger said that in football ‘anything is possible’. Based on the line of questioning and the fact that reporter got themselves up and dressed that morning, we’re inclined to agree.

And while part of us believes that Bastian Schweinsteiger can do just about anything — getting Chicago declared as a sovereign nation to then be eligible for World Cup next year might just be out of his grasp.