Fire coach Frank Klopas says roster almost set
As the Chicago Fire moves into its second phase of preseason training, coach Frank Klopas is looking to gradually get his regulars into game shape and get the roster closer to the league maximum.
Klopas said Thursday during a teleconference from Ventura, Calif., that the roster is almost set.
“Pretty much,” Klopas said. “We’re not there, but we’re pretty close. There’s some spots that a lot of players are fighting for, but I feel the depth on the team is a lot better than where we were.”
One of those hotly contested spots is backing up Gonzalo Segares at left back. Mount Prospect native Pari Pantazopoulos held that role last year, but this year he’s competing against draft pick Hunter Jumper and veteran tribalist Ivan Guerrero, who also plays midfield.
“We have Ivan and we have other guys too. We want to make the best decision for the team,” Klopas said, not wanting to get into specifics. “It’s just all over the field. With any team we’d like to have two very solid players at any position.”
Guerrero’s age might work against him, however. The MLS minimum salary for roster spots 25-30 is $32,600, but any player with a salary that low must be under age 25, according to the league’s collective bargaining agreement with the MLS Players Association.
Guerrero is 34, Pantazopoulos and Jumper are both 23.
“That’s going to be one of the positions that’s going to come down to the end,” Klopas said.
Each club must keep at least 28 players on the roster, and Klopas has indicated he probably will get down to that number before the season opener March 17 at Montreal. The roster maximum is 30 players.
Phased:Klopas said the first phase was about building a base of fitness for the Fire#146;s regulars. That takes another step in the second phase, when the Fire will have exhibition matches against MLS foes Chivas USA, Portland and San Jose.The regulars probably will play about 45 minutes against Chivas, 60 against Portland and #147;closer to 90#148; against San Jose, Klopas said.The team returns to Chicago on Feb. 18 before heading to Charleston, S.C., for Phase 3 Feb. 21-March 4.New in camp: Rostered players Sean Johnson and Rafael Robayo joined the club in California for the second phase of preseason training. Johnson was given time off during the first phase because he had a busy off-season, training in England with Everton and then going to U.S. national team camp.#147;He#146;s in very good form coming in already,#148; Klopas said of his starting goalkeeper.Robayo, an off-season signing from Colombia, finally had his visa come through and worked out with the team Thursday. He is not yet as fit as his teammates.#147;It#146;s going to take him a little bit longer now,#148; Klopas said of the midfielder. #147;I don#146;t see him available for Saturday#146;s game.#148;Grazzini update:Midfielder Sebastian Grazzini left last weekend#146;s exhibition against Real Espana before halftime because of ankle trouble, but Klopas said it was just precautionary. Grazzini missed significant time toward the end of last season due to hamstring issues.#147;He#146;s back in training. There#146;s no issue with his ankle,#148; Klopas said.Ÿ Follow Orrin#146;s soccer reports via Twitter @orrinsoccer.