Fire signs Uruguayan forward Puppo
The Chicago Fire reached into South America for another player Wednesday, signing Uruguayan forward Federico Puppo just days after adding Colombian midfielder Rafael Robayo.
“Federico Puppo is a player we’ve kept an eye for the past few seasons,” said Fire coach Frank Klopas. “He is a smart forward who moves well off the ball and finishes in front of goal. His addition helps us to strengthen our attacking core. We are excited to get all of these guys into camp and begin putting in the work on the field.”
It’s the second consecutive season the Fire has found help in Uruguay. Last year the club added Diego Chaves and Gaston Puerari with mixed results.
Puppo, 25, scored 2 goals in 10 matches for Uruguayan first-division side Danubio during the Apertura season.
The Fire gets another chance to add players Thursday in the MLS SuperDraft (11 a.m., ESPN2). Most mock drafts suggest the Fire will take a forward in the first round such as Maryland’s Casey Townsend, but the Puppo signing could change that thinking. A left-sided midfielder also is a possibility in case Marco Pappa transfers to Dutch side FC Twente as rumored.
The Fire has the ninth pick in the first round and also picks 23rd and 28th overall in the two-round draft.
Meanwhile, there’s no word on when the Fire will re-sign midfielder Pavel Pardo or will reach an agreement with Kheli Dube, picked in December’s MLS re-entry draft.Ÿ Follow Orrin#146;s soccer reports via Twitter @orrinsoccer.