Not a good night for Chicago Fire
No news doesn't seem to be good news for the Chicago Fire.
The Fire settled for a 2-2 draw Saturday night against visiting New England as rumors swirled that the club will not sign Chelsea legend Didier Drogba.
"I have no update on (Drogba) right now," said Fire coach and director of soccer Frank Yallop after the game.
Yallop had said Wednesday night that the club hoped to have an answer from Drogba about its contract offer within 48 hours. The passage of time seems to indicate Drogba prefers instead to sign with MLS rival Montreal Impact, now coached by Fire legend Frank Klopas.
The Fire owns Drogba's MLS "discovery" rights. Montreal will have to work out a trade with the Fire in order to acquire those rights and sign Drogba, according to a league spokesperson, if he plays in MLS. It's similar to the situation in 2008 when the Fire had to trade Chad Barrett to Toronto FC to acquire the rights to Brian McBride.
While there was some mystery around Drogba, there was none about the Fire's disappointment in Saturday's result.
"Yeah, it was pretty disappointing," Fire forward Shaun Maloney said. "I think overall a draw was probably fair. I thought New England were a good side tonight. I think once we got into the position of 2-1, to lose a goal so quickly is disappointing."
After New England (7-9-7, 28 points) scored in the 28th minute, the Fire tied the game at 1-1 in the 44th on a Maloney penalty kick.
The Fire took the lead in the 75th minute when midfielder Razvan Cocis scored, but the joy was short-lived. Kelyn Rowe tied the game for the Revolution in the 77th.
"We did enough to get back in the game," Yallop said. "We're winning 2-1 in the 75th minute at home. I didn't feel the opposition was looking like they were going to (do much). They were dangerous at times, but so were we. It's just disappointing."
Maloney said the ongoing Drogba saga isn't a distraction for the players.
"Absolutely none," Maloney said. "I think we've all been involved in clubs where there's been speculation a player's leaving and going. It's not something that would have any detrimental effect on a team."
The Fire had hoped to follow Wednesday's U.S. Open Cup victory with a league win Saturday, especially with all three of its designated players finally healthy and in the starting lineup. Instead, the team looked flat.
The Fire (5-11-4, 19 points) remains in last place in the Eastern Conference. The playoffs, like Drogba, look like they won't reach Chicago this year. Maloney isn't giving up hope, but he knows time is growing short.
"I think the talking has to stop," he added. "I think we have to start doing it now."