Hamlett ready to lead first Fire camp

Nearly three weeks after becoming the Chicago Fire's fourth head coach, Denis Hamlett has hardly had a chance to catch his breath.

The longtime assistant has guided the team through the league's Superdraft, then the supplemental draft. Along the way, he assembled his staff for the coming year.

Next week, the team begins its preseason training in Florida in preparation for the March 29 season opener.

"It's been so fast," Hamlett said. "We had the draft, I went overseas to look at some players, we had the supplemental draft -- it's all going very fast."

Hamlett belongs to the generation of players in the United States who nearly didn't get the chance to play for a major soccer league. Born in Costa Rica, his family moved to the United States when he was 10. He graduated from George Mason after the North American Soccer League had already folded.

As a result, Hamlett played the indoor and outdoor game as many did -- as a soccer vagabond of sorts.

"I graduated and played four months in the APSL (American Professional Soccer League)," he said. "Then you went into the indoor cycle with the NPSL (National Professional Soccer League.)"

"When we heard that a league was going to come to fruition, a lot of us went to the CISL (Continental Indoor Soccer League) and waited and hoped. I was fortunate to be drafted."

Hamlett played one season with the Colorado Rapids before moving into coaching.

"Those guys who played in '96 and '97, they put in a lot of hard work, and it's good to see the guys today reaping those benefits," Hamlett said. "We've come a very long way. We now have a true professional league."

Hamlett has been with the Fire since its opening season. While the league has grown, the emphasis on youth development has remained central to the Fire's success.

"It's important that we draft young, good players," Hamlett said. "With the salary cap structure, you have to pay attention to guys who might not be able to help you this year, but who can help you in years to come."

In the Superdraft, the Fire selected Tony Nyarko in the first round. The Virginia Tech scorer was the seventh overall selection, and a player few thought would be available when the Fire's choice came.

"We had him as the No. 1 prospect in that part of the field," Hamlett said. "We sat there patiently saying, 'Can this guy really fall?' At pick No. 7, we still had two of the guys we had pretty highly ranked still on the board."

After the SuperDraft, Hamlett assembled his new staff. His assistants are Michael Jeffries, a former Fire player who was an assistant at Duke, and Chris Armas, the team's recently retired captain. Daryl Shore returns as goalkeeper coach while Frank Klopas, a former Fire standout and former coach of the Chicago Storm, is the team's technical director.

"You want good people who you can work with," Hamlett said. "You also want good soccer people who know the game. We can challenge each other as a staff to get better. I will be working with guys who are the history of the Chicago Fire. The players are the ones who will benefit. Our staff knows what it means to put on the Fire jersey."

In the Supplemental Draft, the Fire chose Division III Player of the Year Kai Kasiguran. The Messiah College (Grantham, Pa.) midfielder is a four-time all-American with three NCAA titles.

"We saw him at the combine and liked what we saw," Hamlett said. "His position wasn't a high priority in the SuperDraft for us. But in the supplemental draft, you pick the best player on the board."

Bringing along young players and new players is something that will continue through preseason. With Armas retiring, the Fire has at least one starting spot to fill.

"Bakary Soumare got a little taste of it last season," Hamlett said. "He has the tools and he can have an impact within the team and the league. Logan Pause has been an understudy to Chris Armas for a few seasons, and we feel comfortable with those two."

Another opening may be created if goalkeeper Matt Pickens signs with a European club before the transfer window closes Thursday. Pickens is out of contact with the Fire and reports from England have him training with clubs in the Coca-Cola Championship, the second tier league.

"Until he signs with another team, there's hope something can be done," Hamlett said. "But to say we would be left short if (Pickens) doesn't return would be a disservice to Jon Busch."

A former Columbus Crew starter, Busch played three matches for the Fire in 2007.

The other void is finding a way to improve the team's attack. The Fire scored just 31 goals in 30 regular season matches last year.

"The club needs to improve on the attacking end," Hamlett said. "Can we find that guy? It could be finding a player through a trade or from someone outside the league. We are looking."