New Fire player hopes to turn team around
Gilberto knows about winning sports teams in Chicago. He's eager to contribute to one of them.
Speaking via telephone from Rio de Janeiro and through a team translator, the Brazilian forward said he grew up a fan of Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. Now he'd like to return the Chicago Fire to its winning form on the soccer field.
The Fire acquired Gilberto off waivers from Toronto FC on Monday. Gilberto will be a designated player for the Fire, making him one of the club's highest-paid players.
Gilberto played the 2014 season with Toronto. He went on loan last winter back to Brazil to play at Vasco da Gama when Toronto needed to open one of its DP slots after signing Jozy Altidore and Sebastian Giovinco. According to the MLS Players Union, he earned $1.205 million in guaranteed compensation in 2014.
The Fire not only gives him an opportunity to play in Chicago, it gives him a chance to return to Major League Soccer.
"I want to be a person like Michael Jordan that makes a difference with a team and I'm really happy to come to the city of Chicago," he said.
Gilberto scored 7 goals and had 5 assists in 32 combined appearances with Toronto.
With that DP contract comes pressure, and Gilberto said he's up to the task.
"With my experience at Vasco da Gama, winning the state championship made me a stronger player, a stronger person," Gilberto said.
It's the same kind of strength he needed as a kid in the Brazilian state of Alagoas, where he needed to work his way from the bottom up just to get a chance at MLS.
That strength will be needed again to help lift the Fire out of a disappointing season.
"It's a winning team, even though they're going through some rough moments in the last few years," Gilberto said. "But I'm really excited to be a part of the Fire."
Gilberto is still working to obtain a U.S. work visa. He hopes to arrive this week and be available when the Fire plays at Portland on Friday night.
The Fire also hosts FC Dallas at 6 p.m. Sunday (Fox Sports 1) at Toyota Park.
For the Fire to turn around its season, Gilberto will need to score early and often.
"I always tried to look for his favorite players, which is Ronaldo and Romario, focus on them," he said. "Focus on speed, strength and finishing. Tried to do what they did best."
Gilberto said he not only has strong finishing skills, but is good outside the opponent's penalty area also, working to get the ball from the flanks.
"I played against the Fire last year, so I have a good base with the players that were here," he said. "With the addition of the players from this year they're a solid team. The moment that the Fire are going through right now could happen to any team. I hope my addition will turn the tables and change the way the Fire are playing."
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