Fire's long wait for Cyrus is over

Now that he's finally joined the Chicago Fire, Daneil Cyrus can't wait to get on the field.

Acquired on loan from W Connection on Aug. 6, Cyrus had to wait about a month to receive his U.S. visa. Then he played a friendly for Trinidad and Tobago against Mexico.

"That was very frustrating because when I'd speak to my (T&T and Fire teammate Joevin Jones), he'd ask, the guys want to know when I'm coming, when I'm coming," Cyrus said. "That is kind of frustrating because to know that I already signed a contract and everyone is waiting on me, that was frustrating."

He's eager to help a back line that gave up 4 goals last week at Montreal.

"The guys are great. The atmosphere is great. The locker room is great. Everyone welcomed me, so I feel great," Cyrus said.

Cyrus said he prefers to play center back, but he's comfortable playing right back, which seems likely.

"I don't mind playing right back because I can play anywhere along the defense line, so it is no problem, but my favorite position is center back," he said.

Cyrus said he's ready to step into the starting 11 for the Fire when it plays the New York Red Bulls on Friday night (6 p.m., UniMas).

"Of course. That's what I came here to do," he said. "I never came here to watch just one game. I came here to jump straight in. I'm ready. I'm pumped for tomorrow."

Changes coming:

Cyrus could get that chance to play Friday. The Fire has been looking for someone to grab ahold of the right back spot, and coach Frank Yallop is ready to make changes after the Montreal debacle.

"Just collectively we weren't good as a unit, so we'll put some changes in there for sure," Yallop said.

The other new defender:

On June 26 the Fire traded forward Quincy Amarikwa to San Jose for defender Ty Harden. Amarikwa has been a good addition to the Earthquakes, contributing 4 goals and 3 assists. Harden has yet to play, mainly due to a hamstring injury that he reaggravated by trying to come back too soon.

"I had a couple of little setbacks with my hamstring, but I feel good," Harden said. "I've been training the last week and a half or so. ... It was kind of a freak thing. I've never had that happen before."

Harden, a center back by trade, said he's ready to play a full 90 minutes if called upon Friday.

Injury update:

New designated player Gilberto probably will not make the trip to New York because of a hamstring injury, Yallop said.

This is the second injury the forward has sustained in his brief time with the Fire. He also suffered a thigh contusion early in a game at Philadelphia.

"It's big because I thought him and Kennedy (Igboananike) had a good understanding," Yallop said.

Mike Magee will be available but is unlikely to start in Gilberto's place as he recovers from a knee injury, Yallop said.

Defender Adailton ran on the side while his teammates trained Thursday. He is recovering from abdominal surgery and could miss the remainder of the season.

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