Magee sees 'the finish line'

The Chicago Fire has been waiting patiently for Mike Magee to return from knee and hip surgery. The wait is just about over.

Magee, who underwent surgery last fall, returned to full training this week.

"It's been a long process and obviously exciting to now kind of be able to see the finish line," the 30-year-old Magee said of his "eight-month battle" after training Wednesday. "It's a little nerve-wracking, a lot of excitement. Luckily, I have a great staff around me who's advising me really well, so I'm just trying to keep my brain out of it and just listen to whatever they tell me to do."

His coach likes what he sees.

"He said he feels a little stiff, but I said you're moving well. I said you've never been the most fluid of players anyway," Frank Yallop said with a laugh. "He's doing good. Doing really well."

The Long Grove native said he hopes to be available to play in the May 30 match against Montreal at Toyota Park. The Fire (3-5-1, 10 points) could use the 2013 MLS MVP. The team has just 9 goals in nine games and is winless in its last three matches heading to Columbus on Friday (7 p.m., Univision).

"I would love to play against Montreal," he said.

Meanwhile, he's making sure he's fit for when he gets his chance to play again.

"I feel strong, I feel fit," Magee said. "Everything that's happening now kind of feels like a first. I feel like an unfit baseball player trying to play soccer, so it's a little bizarre. I've got a feeling I'll come back quick, especially after I get into a game or two, get some minutes under my belt. I think all that stuff will come back quick."

Patrick Nyarko, who underwent ACL surgery last fall, remains on track to return in June.

Career move:

Downers Grove native Collin Fernandez, 18, signed as a homegrown player last fall, will be loaned to Louisville City FC of third-division USL PRO.

"We want to get Collin some experience," Yallop said. "He's actually looked really good in training and now it's about getting some games and just getting his career sort of moving. ... It takes a while for kids to come in and find their way and I think he's done that."

Next man up:

In a crowded central midfield Razvan Cocis seems to have fought his way into the spot next to rookie Matt Polster - for now.

The Romanian missed the start of the season due to injury, but he took advantage of Michael Stephens' twisted ankle to work his way back into the starting lineup. Cocis hopes his goal last week at New York City FC keeps him there a while.

"It's good coming back and score at the same time," Cocis said. "Every goal counts, and too bad that we didn't win because the win would count more than the goal. But this is football, so we just keep going."

"I thought he did well," Yallop said. "He scored, did OK."

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