Fire's Pause still working to overcome MCL sprain

Midfielder Logan Pause went through a full training session with the Fire on Wednesday for the first time since spraining an MCL in his knee in a game at Colorado in Week 2.

"I'm still feeling it a little bit," he said. "I'm just trying to be smart. It's getting better and I'm getting healthy. I just don't want to make it worse. I'm a little timid still. It felt great to be back with the team."

Pause wasn't sure if he would be available for Saturday's home match against Chivas USA.

Tim Ward will likely start at right back again as Dasan Robinson makes good progress in his recovery from injury.

Center back Wilman Conde left practice early with a leg injury but is expected to be OK.

Seeing red: After winning the starting left defender job back from Deris Umanzor, Krzysztof Krol will have to watch Umanzor this week after earning a red card for a head butt last week.

"It's a shame for Krol, because Krzysztof had a good match, a good game," coach Carlos de los Cobos said.

De los Cobos said Umanzor is making good progress in adjusting to MLS play.

Old rivals: During his playing days at Club America in Mexico, Fire coach Carlos de los Cobos' rival was Chivas de Guadalajara.

"I am the coach of the Chicago Fire," he said, dismissing thoughts of the rivalry continuing here Saturday against Chivas USA, the sister club of the Mexican side. "I want to win only because the players are working very hard. They deserve to win again. But only for the Chicago Fire.

"The past is history. When I played in Mexico I played many years with America. Chivas didn't like me in this moment," he said with a smile, "but now is different."