World Footy News

WorldFootyNews.com and USFootyNews.com are teaming up to present the 2008 USFooty Top 10 Poll. To kick things off we are having a Top 10 Countdown for the Preseason Top 10. Who are the best teams in USFooty?

Chicago United is ranked Number 8 in the 2008 Preseason WFN/USFN Top 10 Poll. We preview their season and talk to Chicago stalwart Al MacGlashan.

In 2007, Chicago finished as the MAAFL Champions, defeating arch rival the Milwaukee Bombers to secure the title. They finished 5-4 and 10th in the World Footy News Top 10 Poll. At Nationals they were 0-3 in Division 1, losing a close one to New York and getting humbled by San Diego and Golden Gate. According to Chicago's Al MacGlashan, “We set ourselves the goal of winning the MAAFL. We had come close the previous couple of seasons and only a goal or 2 had stopped us from achieving this. It was great to win the MAAFL again, we hadn't won it since 2001 when we were the Swans - I was the only player left from that team!” Despite the MAAFL success, MacGlashan was disappointed with how the season ended. “We went to Nationals not really aiming to take out the Division 1 title but we did want to have a fair crack. Our inexperience and lack of fitness was exposed. We had our chances but blew it. Yes, it was very disappointing. We had a couple of our key players out which exposed a lack of depth that some of the other clubs have. It was a great "wake up" call for us, if we really wanted to gain respect then we would have to work harder. It showed us what we needed to do, how we need to play and where we need to go...”

In 2008, United is concentrating on developing the Metro league and winning back to back MAAFL Championships. “Our focus this year will again be mainly on our MAAFL and our Metro seasons. I would say that it will be for a while too. If we get these running well, then something like Nationals will naturally fall into place. We would like to have another crack at Divvy 1 this year. Most of guys had never played in a tournament or a Nationals before so they will have a bit better preparation and understanding before heading to Colorado in October,” says MacGlashan.

United heads into the 2008 season with Paul Drake continuing as Head Coach. Drake will be assisted by Matthew DeJong and three of United’s most experienced players: Frank Bradley (Revolution), Dan Kastilahn and Craig Miller (each of whom was named as a starter in the Chicago Australian Football Association Team of the Decade). In the CAFA, MacGlashan says “3 words ... Lincoln Park Piranhas. In the past we have not had a Metro Grand Final but it is a definite in 2008. We have scheduled about 10 rounds of regular metro games; which we play on Friday evenings. The guys are really getting into the Metro comp, there is quite a rivalry growing amongst the 3 squads … a lot of "smack talk" during the week. Lincoln Park has done some clever recruiting over recent months and will be the big improver this season.”