BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – A few notes from the Fire’s Monday morning training session.
Nyarko not ready
Chicago head coach Carlos de los Cobos revealed after practice that winger Patrick Nyarko won’t be available for Wednesday night’s match against New England.
“I want Patrick to play because he’s an important player for us, but he’s not ready,” de los Cobos told MLSsoccer.com.
Nyarko has missed five of the Fire’s last six matches due to a concussion suffered on July 3 at Columbus. The Ghanaian winger trained on Monday but won’t be match fit until after the New England game.
“Sometimes we forget that these guys need to have a good fitness level to play,” de los Cobos said. “Maybe he wants to play, but he’s not ready because … he needs to get his good fitness level.”
Castillo start a game day call
De los Cobos said that he’ll wait until Wednesday to decide whether or not Designated Player Nery Castillo will start against the Revolution. Castillo, who made his MLS debut in the 58th minute of last Sunday’s 0-0 draw with New York, is still getting back to full match fitness after his season with Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk ended in May.
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“He’s not 100 percent,” de los Cobos said of the Mexican international, who has been training as a left winger. “He’s tired in this moment because now he’s training normally. I need to talk with Nery about how he feels and I want to wait to the day of the match to make my decision.”
The coach added that Mike Banner or Calen Carr would get the start if Castillo isn’t ready.
Segares a go at left back [inline_node:315274]
Gonzalo Segares will start at left back on Wednesday night. The Costa Rican defender, reacquired by the Fire on Aug. 6 after spending six months in the Cypriot league, has impressed the Fire's gaffer in training and will supplant Krzysztof Krol on the left side of the Chicago back four.
“Gonzalo will start,” said de los Cobos. “He’s ready. He’s a very strong player and I am very happy because this guy is coming with very good attitude.”
Dasan Robinson, C.J. Brown and Wilman Conde rounded out the Fire’s first-team back line during Monday’s practice.
Thorrington on game day roster?
Midfielder John Thorrington, who has missed the entire season with a strained left quad, took part in full training on Monday. After practice, de Cobos hinted that he could make the bench on Wednesday.
“I’m excited because John is very close to playing again,” de los Cobos said. “Now he’s participating in the training it’s good for me, it’s good for the team and it’s possible – if he feels good – to make the bench and to play if necessary.”
Sam Stejskal covers the Chicago Fire for MLSsoccer.com. Email him at sam.h.stejskal@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @samstejskal.
