BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – A few notes about the Fire’s lineup for Wednesday night’s crucial match against Toronto FC:
Castillo and John to start up top: Fire head coach Carlos de los Cobos revealed Tuesday that Collins John and Nery Castillo will start at forward against Toronto.
The decision will presumably relegate forward Brian McBride to the substitute’s bench and drop Designated Player Freddie Ljungberg – who has been playing as a forward – into the midfield.
Both John and Castillo featured in Saturday’s 1-1 draw against LA. Castillo started and went 68 minutes, while John came on as a substitute in the 82nd minute and scored a goal in the 88th.
No Pappa or Umanzor: De los Cobos said that winger Marco Pappa and defender Deris Umanzor will not play on Wednesday.
Both players dressed in Tuesday night’s international friendly between Guatemala and El Salvador in Washington. Pappa started for the victorious Guatemalans, nearly scoring a goal in the 26th minute. Umanzor didn’t get off the bench for the Salvadorans.
Thorrington ready to start: De los Cobos said that midfielder John Thorrington, who missed training on Tuesday so he could rest a pair of tired legs, will be ready to start against Toronto.
Thorrington played the full 90 in each of the Fire’s last two matches – his only appearances this year.
Sam Stejskal covers the Chicago Fire for MLSsoccer.com. Email him at sam.h.stejskal@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @samstejskal.
