Blanco will be back with Fire
It's not much of a surprise, but at least now it's official: Cuauhtemoc Blanco is coming back to the Chicago Fire.
The Fire and MLS decided to pick up Blanco's option for a third season as the team's Designated Player. Because the team only has one DP slot, forward Brian McBride will not become the team's DP and get the raise that comes with it. Terms were not disclosed, but Blanco made $2.67 million last season, according to the MLS Players Union. As a DP, only $400,000 counts against the MLS salary cap.
Blanco, who turns 36 on Jan. 17, had 7 goals and 11 assists in 27 games last season.
The Fire hopes Blanco and McBride, 36, have enough energy and skill left and can combine well enough to lead the team past the Eastern Conference championship game, the club's stumbling block the past two seasons. They'll get support in the Fire attack from youngsters Chris Rolfe, Patrick Nyarko and Calen Carr, who is rehabbing following ACL surgery last summer.
"Cuauhtemoc is a player that has competed at every level of the game and brings experience and leadership to the team," said Fire technical director Frank Klopas. "His abilities on the field make him an exciting player for fans to watch and we look forward to having him in 2009."