Deadline closing in for Chicago Fire changes
The Chicago Fire probably will not make any high-profile moves before the MLS primary transfer window closes Monday.
"Internationally, I would say it's virtually zero because of the paperwork and the timing and everything else that's involved," said Fire general manager Nelson Rodriguez on Wednesday. "Domestically is where we are focusing our attention, particularly because the window is so close.
"That's other MLS teams. Are there options within the NASL, USL that we might be able to exploit?"
The secondary transfer window opens July 10 and closes Aug. 9. In season, players can only be traded within the league during these windows, and players under contract in another country can only join MLS teams during the windows.
All-Star Game tickets:
MLS and the Fire announced that tickets for the Aug. 2 MLS All-Star Game at Soldier Field will go on sale at 10 a.m. Thursday. Fans can get tickets through Ticketmaster.
The MLS all-stars will play legendary Spanish club Real Madrid, which features some of the game's top players, such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Sergio Ramos.
Looking at the lineup:
The Fire (3-3-2, 11 points) is winless on the road so far this season and has lost two straight games, both away from Toyota Park.
Does that mean changes are coming to the lineup Saturday at the L.A. Galaxy (9:30 p.m., Comcast SportsNet)?
"We always work on improving our team and we always, based on the next opponent and based on the performance in the week and the way how we want to play, we make decisions," said Fire coach Veljko Paunovic, who decided early in Wednesday's training session to close practice to the one reporter there.
"We're always open to changes, but at this point I cannot share any general ideas."
The East-West divide:
The past few years it has been clear the Western Conference is the better of the two conferences in MLS.
It looks like it might be time to reconsider that notion, however. And if the East truly is better, that won't help the Fire earn its first playoff berth since 2012.
This season is different, at least through the first two months, because Eastern Conference teams have improved. Orlando City is the class of the league so far, averaging 2.57 points a game. Even Columbus Crew SC and D.C. United are better, as is the Fire, which finished last in the league the past two years.
Of the two expansion teams, Atlanta United is off to a far better start and looks far better on paper than Minnesota United.
Meanwhile, perennial powerhouse L.A. Galaxy (2-5-1, 7 points) is in trouble. The team seems to be having trouble adjusting now that longtime coach Bruce Arena has left the club to Curt Onalfo.