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Magee slowly, surely working to return

It wasn't hard to find Mike Magee during Fire training Wednesday at the club's new PrivateBank Fire Pitch in Chicago. He was the one wearing a blue pinny, playing as a neutral in a short-field scrimmage.

Following hip and knee surgeries that ended his 2014 season after playing in just 17 games, Magee patiently is working his way back onto the field.

"All things considered I'm feeling really good," Magee said. "I'm doing my best to stay patient, get my body ready."

Magee, 30, doesn't want to target a date for his return, but he said he feels ahead of schedule. He isn't likely to be ready when the season is scheduled to open March 6 in Los Angeles.

"I think I was carrying the injury for so long that the idea of getting right and playing at 100 percent healthy, that's the part that's helped me, helped me slow down a bit," the Long Grove native said.

Being healthy won't be the only improvement on 2014.

"It was a bad year all around," he said. "Everyone knows that. ... It's refreshing now to see a lot of new faces, good guys. (Coach Frank Yallop) brought in a group of guys that wanted to be here. A new level of talent with a couple of guys that we haven't had. For as long as I can remember since I've been here it's just nice walking in and seeing the guys. The competitiveness seems great. This year is already better than last year."

Magee also seems to like that he won't be the only local guy on the team. In fact there are seven players from the Chicago area on the roster, including Magee.

"It doesn't hurt getting a couple of more Chicago guys who I feel like are credible additions," he said.

Local update:

Naperville native Bryan Gaul was returned to Saint Louis FC after going with the Fire to England. He could return if club roster size is greater than expected following Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations between the league and the players union.

Bonding:

While in England for the first leg of preseason training, the Fire trained and lived in a secluded area. It was a good thing for team chemistry.

"That's the only way you get to know people beyond a soccer level," said new center back Eric Gehrig.

So far the players seem to be bonding well.

"It's a very, very new group, a lot of turnover, and you want to get the camaraderie and chemistry as quick as possible," Gehrig said. "There's already some good banter going on and the guys are genuinely enjoying each other and you can tell. That stuff translates to on-the-field success."

Catching up:

Goalkeeper Sean Johnson, who missed the first part of preseason while with the U.S. national team, then joined his teammates in England, was given the day off by coach Frank Yallop.

Captain Jeff Larentowicz, a member of the MLS Players Union executive board, was in New York for CBA negotiations.

Newcomers David Accam and Shaun Maloney are expected to join the club in Portland, Oregon, for the final phase of preseason training after working out visa issues. The team departs for Portland on Thursday.

Ready for action:

Gehrig is battling Adailton and Larentowicz for playing time at center back.

"I think the key for us is to keep it clean in the back, and so far we're off to a good start," he said, noting the shutouts in the two preseason matches in England. "Everyone is working together well, we've got some good pieces, and Frank's got some decisions to make."

Gehrig's personality is showing through already.

"I'm bringing all my attributes on the field and off the field," Gehrig said. "I'm a guy that's not going to back down. I'm willing to stick my neck out there. I think the guys are kind of looking to me already. Obviously, there's a lot of talent across the back line and it's going to be tough, but I'm ready as ever and if my name is called I'll bring it."

His goal? Goals:

New designated player Kennedy Igboananike, a forward, made it clear what his favorite part of soccer is.

"I'm a player that wants the ball all the time," the Nigerian said. "I need the ball quick. I'm a fast player and I like to score goals. That's how my style of play is. I love to score goals."

History major:

New center back Adailton made clear he did his research before signing with the Fire.

"Sure," the Brazilian said. "I went through the history, the last 5-10 years. The first thing that I asked to the coach was what are the adjustments for this year because if we keep doing like we were doing lately it wouldn't be very nice to come into a league and do the same thing. But he told me that it's absolutely different now. We're building a new team, keeping the same mentality because the mentality wasn't bad but the results weren't there. So that's why we came."

'Could be better':

While in England the Fire played two exhibition matches, drawing one 0-0 and winning 1-0.

"Could be better," Adailton said in halting English. "It wasn't bad because we kept zero (goals allowed) twice. It's also nice for us. But it could be better in terms of scoring. We had some opportunities. But this is also good because when we lose some opportunities to score it means we are creating chances."

Follow Orrin on Twitter @Orrin_Schwarz

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