Fire deal Igboananike for cash. 2019 third-round pick
Mired in last place in Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference, the Chicago Fire made a move Friday with 2017 in mind.
The Chicago Fire traded designated player Kennedy Igboananike to D.C. United for targeted allocation money and a 2019 third-round draft pick.
"Moves like this are needed in order to execute our plan for roster development," said general manager Nelson Rodriguez, hired late in the 2015 season to rebuild the club, in a club news release. "Kennedy puts his heart into his work and has served this club well. We wish him the best in D.C. and wherever his career leads him."
Igboananike, signed in December 2014 by then-coach and director of soccer Frank Yallop, never lived up to his billing as a DP despite a strong work ethic. He scored 11 goals and dished 4 assists for the Fire. Four of his goals came this season, tying him with David Accam for the team lead.
Igboananike, a forward/midfielder, will continue to occupy a DP slot in Chicago and his salary will remain with the Fire for salary-cap purposes for the rest of 2016. Accam is the only DP still playing for the Fire after Brazilian forward Gilberto cut ties with the club a month ago without scoring a goal this season.
The Fire was unlikely to pick up the option on Igboananike's contract after this season if he had stayed.
With 15 games left in a 34-game season, the move signifies the Fire is ready to write off another year. It has played only one playoff game since 2009.
The summer transfer window closes Wednesday, but the Fire appears unlikely to sign a DP to fill the Gilberto slot until the winter transfer window. Another trade is possible, as is a lower-level signing from overseas.
The Fire (4-10-5, 17 points) hosts the second-place New York Red Bulls (9-9-4, 31 points) at 6 p.m. Sunday at Toyota Park.
Follow Orrin on Twitter @Orrin_Schwarz