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Last month we shared with you the rumors that the Chicago Fire were in talks with Mexican Soccer Star Cuauhtémoc Blanco. The Fire announced on Sunday that Blanco would be coming to Chicago on Monday to sign a Designated Player (DP) contract with the Fire.
The Fire will become only the third team to take advantage of Major League Soccer's Designated Player rule. The rule allows MLS teams to sign a player and have only the first $400,000 of his contract go against the team’s salary cap. The Los Angeles Galaxy used the rule to sign English soccer star David Beckham; the New York Red Bulls also took advantage of the new rule to sign Claudio Reyna.
Fire fans are invited to Toyota Park tomorrow night to see the club's newest acquisition. Fire players will be on hand to share their reaction to their newest teammate. The Fire will present Blanco with a Fire jersey as well. The free event starts at 7 p.m. The parking lot will open at 5 p.m., and gates to Toyota Park will open at 6:30 p.m.
Blanco is sure to help sell tickets for the Fire, though Chicagoist worries that may be one of the only benefits Blanco provides to the club. The aging, 34 year-old striker has had knee troubles for years, and whether he has much left in his legs is debatable. Additionally, Blanco is known for being easily frustrated and could become a problem on the field and in the locker room. He definitely is a player you either love or hate. This is evident in a BigSoccer poll in which 33.65% said they "strongly dislike" Blanco while 33.97% "strongly like" Blanco.
Chicagoist will be anxious to see what Blanco can do for the Fire when he joins the team this July. He will not be with the Fire when they start the season this Saturday hosting the New England Revolution. Blanco will complete the season with his Mexican First Division team, Club America, then join the Fire likely in July.
Chicagoist hopes Blanco can help the Fire score some goals this summer, something they had difficulty doing late in preseason training. Check out highlights of Blanco on MLSnet.com.
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nobody cares.
"nobody cares."
Bet you feel all hard now, huh? You're my "typical American asshole" hero now.
I care.
You know, there is a LOT of news stories today. Zell takes over tribune, CTA woes documented in the Economist, Baseball starts for the White Sox, Etc...
And this is all you can do at 10:30am?
Get some beer to cure your hangovers and start posting some news. Jeesh.
This is excellent news. We really need him.
This guy, whomever the hell he is and 2 bucks will get you a ride on the L!
Since the L isn't going anywhere fast, that might be an apt metaphor for that borefest known as soccer.
"borefest known as soccer"
It is only the most popular sport in the world by a HUGE margin.
I very much care... this is good news for ticket sales in Bridgeview. Chicago is one of the best soccer towns in the US.
Great, possible clubhouse cancer and the guy probably can't speak English.
Well, at least we made a splash. Hopefully when his legs fall off, they can have the foresight to invest in a younger guy next time.
I am a Fire fan so I am happy to see the coverage. I am just bummed to see the Fire went with this angry old fart.
well, if mayor daley can start dreaming of an Olympics in 2016, i can keep dreaming of wayne rooney in a fire jersey in 2016 (or sooner) ...
I care a lot. I really hoped to see a European star in a Fire jersey, this is just disappointing. Blanco is a definite problem with teammates and hasn't proven that he can stay healthy enough to be a meaninfgul addition. Unfortunately he will remain a second rate player as he falls into obscurity.
I don't think this is the way to go. I know that the front office thinks this will bring in the hispanic crowds, but shouldn't they be going after a big name who will bring in more diverse, pan-european interest and maybe some money. You won't see Spielberg plopping down the cash for season tickets for Blanco.
Bring in Nedved, Raul, Schevchenko, or even some other aging English stars and you will make headlines like Beckham. Though at least we got Blanco, I have no interest in Claudio Reyna.
Blanco is a bit over the hill.
I was hoping the Fire would acquire Jared Borghetti. He was looking pretty good this weekend playing for Cruz Azul.
Blanco always reminds me of Carlos Zambrano, for some reason.
Where is Fonseca playing these days?
Actually, a lot of people care.
Not who i'd have picked, but if he stays healthy he can help, and he will certainly sell tickets.
Cuauthemoc is a very good player once you give him a chance. From now on he will be the "Fire Eagle"...vamos Temo!!!