It might be said that the Chicago Fire’s Monday morning regen workout and light training session at Toyota Park were notable for being unnoteworthy.
That is to say that the mood and focus among the Men In Red were indistinguishable from recent weeks, despite coming on the heels of Sunday night's encouraging 1-0 win over the Philadelphia Union. Consistency in preparation, regardless of the outcome on the weekend, was key during the side’s early-season rough patch, and it was there again after three hard-earned points were secured.
Speaking via teleconference following training, head coach Frank Yallop provided insight into some likely topics of discussion between he and his squad this week.
“I thought the guys that played on the weekend did a fantastic job of playing well and creating chances and in the end seeing that game through when we needed it,” Yallop said. “For 60 minutes we played great and were winning, and then we hit a bit of a wall and tried to hang onto the lead, and it didn’t go well. So we’ll work on that, make sure everyone is aware of that type of [issue], and move forward and learn from it.”
Heading into Saturday’s home fixture with Toronto F.C., the technical staff also has what most would consider a good problem to wrestle with, which is an influx of available players following the return from international duty of Shaun Maloney and David Accam.
“It’s good for any coach to have, obviously it’s not good for all the players vying for the spots to play,” Yallop said. “From the start of it I’ve had a vision for how we’re going to look, how we’re going to play. Obviously people beat other people out for places, and there were some good performances on Sunday. We’ve got two really good players returning and I expect them to come back into it. It’s getting a little cluttered for starting spots so it’s up to me to sort out and figure out what’s going to go on in the future.
Welcome, Victor
Adding to that potential “clutter” in the midfield is the recent addition of Victor Perez, who arrived in Chicago Sunday evening and participated in his first training session as a member of the Fire on Monday.
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The Spanish international, who will wear No. 15 for his new side, is a versatile central midfielder whose loan will keep him with the Men In Red until at least June, with the potential to remain on a more permanent basis. According to Yallop, Perez would likely not be signed as a Designated Player should the Fire to choose to keep him.
“I always think it’s about beating people out of spots,” Yallop said. “If I feel he's better than what we have, then we’ll keep him. If he’s not as good as what we already have, obviously we won’t keep him. I’m hoping it works out, it’s another option for us. Let’s get him up to game-speed and see what he’s got.”
Yallop suggested it would be unlikely that Perez, who has not played in a match since February, would make his Fire debut this Saturday.
Odds & Ends
• Asked about the progression of Adailton to the fine form he displayed on Sunday, Yallop pointed to the Brazilian’s return to full health after a preseason in which he was limited due to a series of injuries. Yallop described his veteran centerback as “a great teammate and a no nonsense, solid defender who clears when he needs to but can also pass out of the back.”
• Joevin Jones was dynamic going forward for a third straight match since moving up to the midfield, making him a useful option to the technical staff. “Versatility is key in our league,” Yallop said. “I think JJ’s settled and is really starting to pick up his game, and there’s a lot more to come from him.”
• The Fire recently agreed to reschedule an upcoming road match at New England for Saturday, June 13. Given the opportunity, Yallop opted out of what would have been a trying trip in April that had the Men In Red playing in Foxborough on Wednesday (April 15) and at Montreal on the ensuing Saturday (April 18).
Injury Updates
Razvan Cocis is among those likely to be vying for inclusion in the side upon his return from a foot injury, which Yallop said Monday is coming along at a pace typical of those types of ailments.
“Razvan’s slowly but surely getting back,” Yallop said. “He’s doing his best to push on and push through discomfort as we speak, battling through and trying to get the pain away. Sometimes these injuries take longer than you think.”
Yallop also reported that Mike Magee and Patrick Nyarko “are on the right path” in their rehab process, with both eyeing a June return to the pitch.
Deserved Plaudits
Two young Fire midfielders were on the receiving end of some national recognition on Monday, beginning with rookie Matt Polster. Soccer By Ives selected Polster as its MLS Rookie of the Week after his accurate passing and tireless defensive efforts helped the Fire dominate the midfield against the Union Sunday. Meanwhile, the dynamic and creative play of Harry Shipp in recent weeks has caught the eyes of many around Major League Soccer, and on Monday Shipp was named to the MLS Team Of The Week for his performance against Philadelphia. Shipp delivered the free kick that was deflected home by Adailton in the first half, and provided several additional moments of brilliance after halftime.
