Blanco to leave Fire after finishing playoffs

Chicago Fire forward Cuauhtemoc Blanco has signed a contract with Veracruz of the Mexican Primera Division and will begin play there in January. But first he will finish the MLS playoffs with the Fire.

However, Blanco's days with the Fire might not end with the playoffs. According to sources familiar with the Veracruz contract, Blanco has a provision by which he can opt out to return to MLS next summer after the World Cup. Blanco's current contract with the Fire ends after this season, but he and the Fire are expected to get serious about contract talks after the playoffs. The contract with Veracruz is for one year.

"Cuauhtemoc Blanco is under contract with the Chicago Fire through the end of the year and remains focused, along with the rest of the club, on winning the MLS Cup in 2009," Fire technical director Frank Klopas said in a statement the team released Thursday night.

"He's been a valuable member of the Fire, and we respect his desire to continue playing in Mexico during the MLS off-season and continue preparing for the 2010 World Cup, which is a top priority for him. We will continue our dialogue with his agent regarding Blanco playing for the Fire in the second half of the 2010 season and beyond."

Blanco is the third player to leave or announce he is leaving the Fire since August. Bakary Soumare transferred to French club Boulogne, and Chris Rolfe has signed to start playing with Danish club Aalborg in January.

Blanco joined the Fire in 2007 from Club America.

The Fire starts the playoffs at 1 p.m. Sunday (Fox Soccer Channel) at New England, with the second leg of the series Nov. 7 at Toyota Park.