BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – Chicago Fire head coach Carlos de los Cobos explained the 38th-minute substitution of rookie midfielder Corben Bone from Tuesday’s 2-0 loss to Kansas City in his postmatch press conference, saying that the team’s first round draft pick – who was making his first career MLS start – didn’t have the right mentality while on the field.
“He showed very little in the time he was on the field,” de los Cobos said through a translator. “I understand that he’s a young player, but when this opportunity presents itself to players, they need to understand that they have the right attitude, and I just didn’t see that attitude in Corben. I wish he could’ve played all 90 minutes, but I just saw a very passive player.”
Bone, who hasn’t received significant minutes in any competition since July, told MLSsoccer.com that de los Cobos never told him why he was removed.
“He didn’t say anything when he brought me off,” said Bone, who was replaced by Patrick Nyarko. “It wasn’t my best performance and he’s the coach, so it’s his decision.”
The move couldn’t have done much for Bone’s confidence, especially considering that the Fire – who were eliminated from the playoffs last Saturday night – didn’t have anything to lose by playing him Tuesday.
“Got to take it for what it’s worth,” Bone said. “I got to keep my head up and keep doing what I’ve been doing and keep moving forward. It’s the past now, so I can’t really do anything about it.
“I think I’ve been training really well,” he added. “I haven’t played much in a game since SuperLiga three or four months ago, so it’s difficult. But I’ve been training well and I’m going to keep doing that, and hopefully and the next time I get a start I’ll get a little bit more minutes.”
Sam Stejskal covers the Chicago Fire for MLSsoccer.com. Email him at sam.h.stejskal@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @samstejskal.
