Wish list for 2012 MLS season

Is it too obvious that a 2012 soccer wish list include a championship for the local side?

Maybe we should work a harder at keeping it real, just ask for a MLS playoff game. But let's make it a home game for the Chicago Fire, because memories of those 2009 playoff games — when Toyota Park was packed and the place was jumping — are still fresh, and, man, that was fun.

And while we're on that topic, let's add good crowds all season long at Toyota Park to the wish list. A little room to spread out and relax while watching a game is nice, but the drive to Bridgeview is more fun if there are plenty of people to share the game experience with when you get there.

Yeah, that's a good place to start a wish list, especially since the Fire already fulfilled its wish for a new and local jersey sponsor when it signed up the Quaker Oats Company earlier this month.

Here are a few more wishes:

Ÿ That the Fire wisely uses the allocation money it got when it traded the rights to center back Wilman Conde to the New York Red Bulls, a figure reported Monday at about $100,000. The Fire needs depth at that position, but it was best that Conde find another club after a year in Mexico.

“We reviewed the situation and wanted to support Wilman's return to MLS,” Fire coach Frank Klopas said in a statement the club released. “The allocation money we received in return will help us continue to build our team.”

Don't expect the Fire to use that money on a high-priced designated player. It doesn't seem in a hurry to do so.

Ÿ That newly signed Colombian midfielder Rafael Robayo gets his visa soon, gets into camp, and then shows he can compete for playing time.

Ÿ That newly signed Uruguayan striker Federico Puppo shows he can partner up top with Dominic Oduro and they can produce goals in bunches for the Fire this season.

Ÿ No more ties. The Fire had a record 16 ties last year. That was enough for a few seasons. MLS as a league saw too many of them. Scoring up, draws down, that's the wish.

Ÿ That MLS be more open with basic information that other leagues provide routinely. It shouldn't take a major investigation to find out when a player's contract expires and if his club has an option to extend it.

Ÿ That the U.S. Under-23 national team not only qualify for this summer's Olympics but do well in London. The team likely will include Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson.

Ÿ That the senior national team find some attacking players not named Donovan or Dempsey. As new coach Jurgen Klinsmann is learning, there isn't much depth there.

Roster news:Fabrizio Pittaluga's wish to follow in Pari Pantazopoulos' footsteps won't come true. We learned that Monday when the Fire released Pittaluga, its 2012 open tryout winner, along with trialists Jon Okafor, Omar Persad and Walter Restrepo after 10 days of preseason training in Florida and one exhibition game, Sunday's 0-0 draw against D.C. United in which 33 players got about 30 minutes of playing time apiece.Pittaluga's release only reinforces how amazing Pantazopoulos' season was last year. The 2011 open tryout winner and Mount Prospect resident not only made it through more than 10 days of camp, he earned a roster spot, kept that spot through the entire season, was in the game day 18 several times, and saw a few minutes of action in the Manchester United friendly.Pantazopoulos remains in Florida with the Fire, but the Fire brought in competition for him in his role as backup to left back Gonzalo Segares. Draft pick Hunter Jumper, out of Virginia, is highly regarded, and there might not be enough room on the roster for both Pantazopoulos and Jumper.WPS on hold:Women's Professional Soccer announced Monday it will not have a 2012 season. #8220;We firmly believe there is a place in the global sports landscape for Women's Professional Soccer,#8221; said WPS CEO Jennifer O'Sullivan. #8220;Making the decision to suspend the 2012 season was a difficult and painful one, but it is necessary to take the time to address current issues and solidify our business in order to provide appropriate support needed to achieve the league's long-term goals.#8221;The league was down to five teams, and it is expending a good amount of resources in a legal battle against the owner of a franchise the league terminated in October.The Chicago Red Stars, which dropped out of WPS in 2011 for financial reasons, probably will play a second season in the semipro Women's Premier Soccer League.#376; Follow Orrin's soccer reports via Twitter @orrinsoccer.