Will Chris Rolfe, Blanco start for Fire?
Chris Rolfe had some advice.
"You've got to talk to the Big Guy," Rolfe said after Saturday's Fire practice.
After entering the Fire's first two games this season as a second-half substitute while regaining his fitness, Rolfe, like teammate Cuauhtemoc Blanco, would love to be in the first 11 for today's home opener against the New York Red Bulls.
Rolfe said he's ready to go a full 90 minutes, but if he's not called on to start, he'll come in again as a reserve.
So will Rolfe and Blanco be in the lineup?
"Wait and see. Come to the stadium and see," said the Big Guy, also known as Fire coach Denis Hamlett.
Hamlett has a difficult decision to make. He has two very talented players aching to get back on the field, but it's difficult to tinker with a team that has played well, opening the season with a win and a tie on the road.
"Both guys are competitors and want to be on the field. At the same time other guys have stepped in and have done well," Hamlett said, referring to forward Patrick Nyarko and midfielder Marco Pappa.
It's a tough lineup to crack, and that's the way Hamlett likes it, even if Rolfe and Blanco might be chafing a little at the situation.
"A luxury for me but not for them," Hamlett said. "They would rather be starters. It's a good problem to have. We'll have good options to start and good options in reserve. Both guys are pros. They've handled the situation very well and are working hard and waiting for their moment to be called upon. We'll see."
Fire fans won't see veteran defender C.J. Brown, who injured his quadriceps last week at D.C. United and will miss a few weeks. Defender Daniel Woolard had to be helped off the practice field Saturday with a right ankle injury and didn't seem likely to be available today.
The Fire expects to add goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra to the roster behind just re-signed Jon Busch and Nick Noble. Dykstra, who has been training with the team, will take the spot of second-year midfielder Peter Lowry, who is being placed on the injured list.