As rumors of a loan move swirled across the Atlantic, Brian McBride spent Sunday scoring a goal and helping his Chicago Fire kick off its preseason with a 5-0 victory against Central Florida in a scrimmage in Bradenton.
McBride, linked to a potential loan move to Fulham, headed home a Justin Mapp cross in the 25th minute in a match that saw liberal substitution and the debuts of several new faces for the Fire. Concordia product Stefan Dimitrov scored two more for the Fire to continue an impressive training camp, while trialists Michel Moungue and Idrissa Kone also added goals.
One Fire player who was not in attendance on Sunday was Colombian defender Wilman Conde, who has yet to join Chicago this pre-season. A team source tells SBI that Conde's late arrival is a visa issue, and not a holdout.
Cuauhtemoc Blanco is with the team in Bradenton but did not take part in the match. Also missing were Chris Rolfe, John Thorrington and Jon Busch, who are all with the U.S. national team in Carson, California.
A familiar name that did play for Chicago on Sunday is Tim Ward. The former U.S. Under-20 defender is trying to latch on with the Fire after being let go by the Colorado Rapids after the 2008 season.
Here are the lineups Chicago used on Sunday:
Starting lineup: GK-Nick Noble, D-Tim Ward, D-Bakary Soumare, D-CJ Brown, D-Gonzalo Segares, M-Mike Banner, M-Logan Pause M-Peter Lowry, M-Justin Mapp, F-Patrick Nyarko, F-Brian McBride.
30th minute: GK-Tyler Kettering, D-Tim Ward, D-Dasan Robinson, D-Bakary Soumare, D-Roland Paul Bebey King, M-Mike Banner (Michel Moungue 45′), M-Baggio Husidic, M-Peter Lowry, M-Austin Washington, F-Richard Jata, F-Stefan Dimitrov.
60th minute: GK-Joe Nasco, D- Roland Paul Bebey Kingue, D-Igor Lozo, D-Dasan Robinson, D-Daniel Woolard, M-Michel Moungue, M-Baggio Husidic, M-Gerson dos Santos, M-Austin Washington, F- Robson Chavez Santana, F-Idrissa Kone.
The Fire will return to action on Wednesday with a scrimmage against Eastern Conference rival Kansas City.
Yeahh Stephan, Get’m!
Angel, Concordia NY 10′
hmmm…. no Blanco. I wonder if the Fire should get used to it???
wow Stefan Dimitrov is my teams personal trainer. Congrats!
Ives,
I love the constant news days. Anyone been following the Sounders SuperSearch? They signed a 20 year old Brazilian with 25 goals at a community college.
Unfortunately, Calen Carr might lose his speed that made him a good player.
yay mcbride. so the deal is off for sure?
Joe D- i could be wrong, but i think he was wanting more information on the players who scored, bar BMB….
If McBride back to Fulham is true, i wonder how happy Toronto FC is now that McBride snubbed them.
Thanks for the Carr updates guys, I always liked him, and the way he plays…Hope he’s back soon
This is really good at least for PR for MLS that Fulham a mid table team wants their supreme American striker back on a loan to help with their scoring threat. McBride was be proud 🙂 They think so highly of him.
Carr has a season ending injury last year.. The Red Card had an update on him a week or 2 ago
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gwd6ZWkOass
Paul Bebey Kingue
I know it’s one youtube video, but already I’m pretty impressed. I assume that you don’t make the cameroon olympic team on accident.
Penalty spot:
Carr tore up his knee in mid 08. He’s still rehabbing according to this article from our local soccer writer:
http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/soccer_redcard/2009/01/carr-ive-been-reaching-all-my-goals.html#more
Penalty spot,
He is recuperating from an acl injury in July of last year that required surgery (I believe).
Ives,
What ever happened to Calen Carr. I dont remember him playing much for the Fire down the stretch in 08, and he wasn’t list as playing in the scrimmage…any news?
Kropolski, having some reading comprehension issues? McBride, Dimitrov (2), Moungue and Kone scored the goals.
How about who scored the goals? Not that it really matters. But we Fire fans like all the information we can get.
nice coverage of the Fire ives. Thanks
Eugene – fire are known for finding diamonds in the rough….. hopefully it all pans out….
obviously this seemed more like a chance for the coaches to see the new kids/players foremost…. good to see they are doing well early (altho ill hold my opinions on anyone till we play a quality friendly)…
He should take it — I’d leave Almeria if I were him…
McBride isn’t going to Fulham. Apparently Fulham said they wouldn’t be able to complete the deal in time. When you factor in flight time, the weather, a medical,etc.
Sounds like the BMB loan rumor is yesterday’s news. SkySports is reporting Fulham has made a bid for a 23-year old striker in La Liga.
Stefan Dimitrov brace. 6’1″ Bulgarian forward. Nice find Chicago.