On a conference call with local media held Thursday, Chicago Fire general manager Nelson Rodriguez confirmed that new signing Luis Solignac will be with the team for their match at Real Salt Lake on Saturday night (9 p.m. CT, CSN Chicago).
“The plan for Luis is to fly him directly to Salt Lake," he said. "He’ll join the team there tomorrow and he will be eligible to play and I would expect that he will play.”
Solignac, an Argentinian forward, was signed Wednesday evening just prior to the close of the summer transfer window. He joins the team from the Colorado Rapids, with whom he’d played since his arrival in MLS last May, and offers relief to a Fire side that must manage a difficult trip to RSL before jetting back to New England for Tuesday's U.S. Open Cup semifinal.
More: Chicago Fire acquire forward Luis Solignac from Colorado Rapids
“With Luis Solignac, we find that we’ve acquired a player that we think will fit better with (Fire forward) Michael (de Leeuw), that his game will lend itself well,” Rodriguez said. “He can also play as that target forward. He’s comfortable in that role. He’s comfortable in the role underneath. I think he can slide out wide and sneak inside a bit, so his versatility is a plus. We had spoken to Colorado for some time on this deal. Obviously, it wasn’t easy to convince them to move Luis. It all came together in a good way that I think both sides are satisfied and happy.”
Listen: GM Nelson Rodriguez holds media teleconference
Head coach Veljko Paunovic also offered his thoughts today on what Solignac can bring to his team from an intangible standpoint.
“He’s a guy who can bring energy, who can bring more spirit to the game,” Paunovic said. “I personally like Argentinian players a lot, their mentality. Mentality is something that we also need in this team. Also he is very good on the ball, too.”
Solignac has registered three goals and four assists in 33 MLS appearances, but Rodriguez believes his individual qualities can complement the current members of the Fire attack.
“His goal-scoring productivity hasn’t been great for Colorado -- and this is not a criticism of Colorado -- but he has never settled into a regular role there," Rodriguez said. "That’s something that hopefully we can provide. Hopefully this change will energize him.”
