Fire coach: Don't expect new forward Castillo to be a savior

It's hard to keep expectations down at a press conference announcing the arrival of a top new player.

Still, Fire coach Carlos de los Cobos did what he could, just as he has preached patience through a sometimes difficult first half of the team's season.

The Fire introduced new Designated Player Nery Castillo on Thursday, just after Castillo completed his first training session with the club.

"Nery's not here to be the savior of the team," de los Cobos said in Spanish through a team translator. "He's here to add to the team. He's here to be a part of the team, an important part. And I'm sure that he is 100 percent committed to help the team. One player cannot change the face of the team or the dynamic of the team, so we have to continue working."

Castillo, still battling jet lag, is not expected to play Sunday night in Los Angeles against the Galaxy. His debut probably will come at home Aug. 8 against Thierry Henry and the New York Red Bulls after he's had a chance to regain some of his fitness. Castillo has played very little over the past couple of seasons in Europe.

Castillo said he sees himself playing as a withdrawn forward, between the midfielders and the striker.

"I just want to try to fit in," Castillo said, also using a team translator. "I see good things out there with the group. I know we have a good coach. Slowly but surely things will start to build. Now that I'm here I have high expectations. The highest expectations are to win a championship. That's my goal."