If the Chicago Fire are to break their four-game winless streak this Saturday at Colorado ( 8pm CT, My50, Direct Kick, MatchDay Live), they’ll have to do it without two of their most established players.
Fire head coach Carlos de los Cobos revealed Thursday that captain Logan Pause and veteran defender Cory Gibbs will not be available against the Rapids.
Pause, who has started all six of the Fire’s games, strained his hamstring in training on Wednesday. Gibbs also strained his hamstring, but he did so in the second half of the Fire’s loss to the LA Galaxy on April 17 and hasn’t played since. Neither player trained on Thursday.
De los Cobos told reporters that center midfielder Daniel Paladini – who has yet to make his Fire debut – will likely replace Pause in the starting lineup.
[inline_node:334719]“Paladini’s a player that has a very good technique,” de los Cobos said. “He has very good feet, he’s a smart player, he’s working hard every day and he deserves to start on Saturday.”
De los Cobos did not say who will start alongside Paladini in the middle of the field, though it is safe to assume that Baggio Husidic (pictured right), Mike Videira and Corben Bone are the candidates.
Center back Yamith Cuesta filled in for Gibbs in last week’s match against Houston and will likely do so again on Saturday.
Starting 'keeper to be determined
De los Cobos has yet to decide who will be his starting goalkeeper against the Rapids. Sean Johnson began the season in net, starting the first four games before being benched in favor of Jon Conway, who has started the last two matches.
Both players trained on Thursday, each spending time with the first team.
Sam Stejskal covers the Chicago Fire for MLSsoccer.com. Email him at sam.h.stejskal@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @samstejskal.
