Fire teammates already impressed with Rios
He isn't even on the roster officially yet, but his new Chicago Fire teammates have taken notice of Arevalo Rios.
“He seems like, I mean, have you ever shaken the guy's hand?” midfielder Dilly Duka asked with a laugh about Rios. “He seems like defensively, he's going to be a real pitbull. Just by his handshake. It's pretty firm, man. He'll take you to your knees just shaking his hand.
“He seems like a bulldog, but I think he's going to help because he's got a lot of experience coming from the Uruguay national team. and all that stuff.”
Rios, acquired on loan last week from Serie A club Palermo, stands just 5-feet-7, but his shaved head and a thin strip of facial hair from his lip to his chin only add to his reputation for toughness on the field from his holding midfielder spot.
He trained again with his teammates Tuesday, but the club was still trying to find an international roster spot and salary-cap room required to add him to the roster. The club hopes to have that accomplished, in addition to his visa and International Transfer Certificate, in time for Saturday's match at New England.
“I'm waiting to hear what happens,” coach Frank Klopas said, eager to get Rios acclimated to his teammates and in the lineup.
“He's one of those guys he works extremely hard. His positioning is very good. He's good with the ball, his timing, when to go and when not. He's an experienced guy, there's no doubt about it. ... The most important thing is he fits in with the team, and he's one of those guys that he earns respect by what he does on the field.”
Meanwhile, sources said Tuesday night the Fire could move designated player Sherjill MacDonald to Belgium as soon as Wednesday in a deal that would open an international roster slot and salary-cap room for Rios.
The other new guy:Fire coach Frank Klopas said he was happy with new forward Juan Luis Anangono in his first start Saturday, a 2-1 win against Montreal.#8220;I thought he was good,#8221; Klopas said, #8220;him and both Alex, they had some good moments going forward. As a forward you have to score goals, you have to get there. We found other ways to score the goals, but I think his ability to make good runs off the ball, run down the channels, open up spaces for other guys, I think he got in some good spots. ... It's the first game and I know he's going to get better.#8221;Injury update:Patrick Nyarko missed training again Tuesday with concussion symptoms, while teammate Mike Magee worked out inside with a trainer due to a leg injury. Nyarko seems unlikely to travel to New England on Saturday (6 p.m., Channel 50), but Magee is a possibility, especially if he joins his teammates on the training field Wednesday.Duka has swelling in his ankle but said he expects to be OK Saturday.oschwarz@dailyherald.com