Grazzini flies into town but remains grounded
Sebastian Grazzini hopped off a flight from Buenos Aires via Washington, D.C., and went to Toyota Park to meet his new Fire teammates Friday morning.
“It was a long flight,” said the bleary-eyed Grazzini, who didn’t train but did stay long enough to talk with reporters. “I didn’t sleep much on the plane because of the length of the flight, but I am happy to be here and meet the coaches and my new teammates.”
Grazzini, who will wear the No. 10 jersey, said through a team translator he does not expect to play in Saturday’s home match against the expansion Portland Timbers (7:30 p.m., Comcast SportsNet).
The Fire announced the Argentine attacking midfielder’s signing Wednesday. Friday was the opening day of the international transfer window.
“I am going to do the best I can to get out there, so it will be a question in time,” Grazzini said. “I want to fit in with the guys the best I can and give them all my best qualities.”
Fire interim coach/technical director Frank Klopas cautioned that Grazzini will need time to fit in with his new teammates and in the league.
“Obviously, I would have liked to have started on the same time and physical condition as my teammates,” said the 30-year-old, who finished his season with Argentine club All Boys four weeks ago. “They’re all in midseason form and I am coming off a short tournament, but I’ve felt I’ve put in a lot of hard work in the last four weeks, even though I have been off. Overall, it is very difficult to join a team during the middle of the year.”
The Fire has a reserve game in Kansas City on Tuesday and will host Manchester United on July 23 at Soldier Field, but after Saturday’s match there’s a little break in the MLS schedule for the All-Star Game.
“It’s good because we do have a break right now a little bit,” Klopas said. “We have a league game tomorrow, but also we have some games we can get him into right away and get him some time to learn the players a little bit for us to get a chance to get to know him. So for us it’s perfect to get him here so quick once the (transfer) window opened.”
Grazzini said he doesn’t feel a great deal of pressure to lift the Fire (2-5-12, 18 points) into the playoff race by himself.
“I understand that there will be some extra attention,” Grazzini said. “When a foreigner enters the league, there are always some extra eyes on them. But I feel confident in my abilities and confident in my teammates. I have a feeling that things will turn out right.”
Grazzini is known for his playmaking abilities.
“He’s got good qualities,” Klopas said. “He’s a player that’s technically very good. He’s got a fantastic left foot. He can make a final pass, he can create opportunities off the dribble for himself. He’s got a great shot from the outside. He’s very accurate from dead-ball situations. He’s just a quality player.”
Added Grazzini: “I feel I am creative and can play many positions on the field. Also I am a team player and like to help the team get to the opposing goal.”