Will speedy striker help turn Fire's fortunes?
The only way the Chicago Fire's next designated player wasn't going to be compared to the club's last several DPs was if the Fire signed someone well-known even to casual fans.
Kennedy Igboananike, the speedy striker the Fire signed Tuesday, isn't well-known. He might turn out to be a very good signing. For now, though, forgive Fire fans if all they can see is a potential bust in the mold of Sherjill MacDonald, Juan Luis Anangono or Federico Puppo.
After several years of failures, perceptions can't be changed in the off-season without head-turning action.
"I think you've got to allow the player to play first and then make a decision on that," Fire coach and director of soccer Frank Yallop said on a conference call Wednesday, adding he feels Igboananike is well-prepared for MLS. " ... I want to add some exciting players for the fans to watch, and we're going to win games. Not just going out and spending the money just for the sake of it. I want to get players who are going to win games and try very hard for this club, and Kennedy's the start of it."
Fans understand that young, unknown players have a place in MLS, but they also want to see a commitment from the club to excellence. That means acquiring excellent players, guys who can lift a team to MLS Cup, like league MVP Robbie Keane or, yes, Jermaine Jones.
The Fire also announced Wednesday the signing of left back Joevin Jones.
Yallop didn't want to comment on rumors about midfielder Shaun Maloney or forward Marcus Pedersen, saying the club is still working to sign more players at a number of positions, including for the two remaining DP slots on the roster. The Fire is looking at players now playing in Scandinavia because contracts in leagues in those countries expire during the MLS off-season.
"We want to hit the ground running in January, not wait till June and see what we get in June," Yallop said. "We've got to get going."
As for players with names recognizable to casual fans, that could still happen, but it's not the Fire's top priority, Yallop said.
"I don't want to be waiting around to try to get a name player to come in and we miss out on some players that can help us on the field," said Yallop, comparing the Igboananike signing to Portland's Diego Valeri. "In the end it's about what he does on the field, and I understand the two players we've signed so far, nobody's going to know them, but hopefully they will get to know them and enjoy the way they play."
Jones, 23, has been playing for HJK Helsinki in Finland. He has played 37 matches for the Trinidad and Tobago national team, and he also has experience playing central and wide midfield. He succeeds longtime Fire left back Gonzalo Segares, who was among a group of 11 players whose contract option for 2015 was not picked up last month, though it's still possible Segares and others could re-sign, Yallop said.
The 5-foot-7 Jones' signing gives the Fire 15 players on its roster.
"I look at him as an attacking left back for us," Yallop said, adding he wanted to get younger and more athletic at the position.
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