With a five-week sprint to start the season in the books, the Chicago Fire currently are benefiting from what might be considered a second phase of training camp thanks to a 20-day break between MLS matches. Recent sessions at the Toyota Park training pitch have been held with high intensity and with elements of fitness training incorporated into nearly all on-field activities.
Following training Thursday, Chicago-Fire.com caught up with the newest member of the Men In Red, Jason Johnson, who had just completed his first training session with the club following his trade from the Houston Dynamo on Monday. The Jamaican international showed well for himself in his training debut, displaying the athleticism, technique and decisiveness in the final third that made the former VCU standout a member of the 2013 Generation adidas class.
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<b>Razvan Cocis Post-Training Interview</b> |
Chicago-Fire.com also spoke with midfielder Razvan Cocis, who enjoyed a strong first half of 2015 training camp before succumbing to a foot injury that sidelines him throughout March and into April. Cocis recently returned to full strength in training, providing Frank Yallop yet another proven commodity in a crowded back half of the midfield.
The Fire (2-3-0, 6 points) return to competition on Friday, April 24 when they host expansion NYCFC at Toyota Park (7 p.m., Univision Deportes). Frank Yallop's side will have two chances to scout the opposition before welcoming them to Bridgeview, with Jason Kreis and his squad hosting home matches against Philadelphia Union (Thursday, April 16) and Portland Timbers (Sunday, April 19) this weekend.
