Fire head coach Frank Klopas will depart this weekend for a two-week European scouting trip that will take him to Germany, Switzerland, Spain and possibly Italy.
Klopas will use the trip to get a live look at players that could fit into Chicago's system in 2012, and we’ll also spend some time building relationships at Spanish club Atlético Madrid, which are part of a five-team partnership the Fire joined this past summer.
“I’ll be leaving this weekend for close to two weeks, 13 days actually,” Klopas said. “It’s a good opportunity to see some players who we’ve been scouting and following. I’ll go into Germany and Switzerland and into Spain, and you never know where else in between there.”
Klopas, who went on a similar scouting trip to Europe last offseason as technical director, said that he’ll be searching for help at forward and midfield on this trip. He hinted that he wants to add another mobile option up top to complement forward Dominic Oduro.
He’ll end his trip at Atlético Madrid, meeting with players and coaches from their first- and second-teams.
“At some point I’m going to finish my trip going through Spain and Madrid and spending time with Atlético Madrid,” Klopas said. “I’ll look at some players with their first team and also their second team for opportunities that might come about with some players and to get the opportunity to potentially bring some players here.”
Sam Stejskal covers the Chicago Fire for MLSsoccer.com. Email him at sam.h.stejskal@gmail.com.
