Uraguayan Connection to Replace Salvadoran Connection?

The Fire have announced yet another striker signing from Uraguay. See the Fire home page for the press release on the signing of Diego Chaves. What's going on here? Did Klopas or de los Cobos vacation in Uraguay this winter?

Maybe...But maybe not;

The rumor wire is once again twitching and this time its not South America but Eastern Block. Perhaps building on the popularity and success of the Ristic move, Klopas appears close to cinching a deal for Marco Babic, a Croat (sp?) International currently in search of a club. The next few days are going to be interesting as Klopas and his tech staff work to complete the roster.

Fire Make Unexpected Designated Player Bid

Rumor Wire -- Technical Director Frank Klopas and the Chicago Fire are rumored to be close to closing a deal with EPL Powerhouse, Arsenal. On the block appears to be none other than U12 wunderkind [Little] Stevie Gavrilovich. LSG (pictured left during a Arsenal very-reserve team training) is reportedly a "very unexpected bid" by the Fire, who saw both 2010 DP deals result in disappointment.

Arsenal Manager, Arsene Wenger, reportedly thinks highly of Little Stevie. "Ya, Ya. Little Stevie is a true professional. His mama always brings great cookies to practice, too."

As always, no details have been disclosed by the teams. However, a source close to the negotiation reports Arsenal is holding out for a 13,000,000 pound transfer fee in addition to LSG's 23,400,000 pound / year contract. That's alot of cookies

Salvadoran Experiment Comes to an End

The Fire anounced this week the departure of Deris Umanzor. Umanzor, together with Julio Martinez, comprised the brace of players that Coach de los Cobos brought over from the El Salvador National Team when he signed with the Fire.

Niether player ever looked comfortable in the league or found a solid role with the team.

"[I learned] a lot of things," De los Cobos said. "I really want to be honest with you. The characteristics of this league are difficult. Not all players can play in this league. It's difficult. For me as a coach, I learned much about the league, and I know things better than my arrival. It helped me make decisions for the next season, bringing some different players with special skills.

"I need to take advantage of this knowledge I have taken from last season."

Let's hope that new Uraguayan import Gaston Puerari was chosen by de los Cobos using that hard won knowledge...

So That's Where the Jersey Money Went...

Ripped from the Headlines of Wall Street Journal...

A Best Buy spot starring pop star Justin Bieber and rock legend Ozzy Osbourne dressed in space-aged suits received high marks from ad executives. Mr. Osbourne, confused by new technologies, is replaced by the young star on a commercial shoot.

Madison Avenue executives said the celebrity pairing was a perfect match for the electronic retailer's message and will play well across generations. The electronics retailer is likely to drive even more buzz in coming days with its pick of Mr. Bieber, who has more than seven million followers on Twitter. Further, Ozzy's strong fan base in rehab programs and detox centers has the potential to open up a new marketing niche for the company; an attractive prospect in the the cut-throat electronics retail sector.

The commercial was Best Buy's first-ever Super Bowl ad and was created with money diverted from the firms recently ended jersey sponsorship deal with Chicago's MLS franchise, The Fire.

Also today, Best Buy anounced their new merchandise return policy. Customers will be entitled to a full refund, as long as the merchandise is returned to the original store of purchase, in the original unopened package, 15 minutes prior to actually making the purchase.

Keeper Controversy in the Offing?

The 2010 season kicked off for Chicago with a stunning Goal Keeper controversy - the sudden departure of Fan Favorite John Busch in favor of Andrew Dystra, a second year player who had never started an MSL game.

Well, 2011 is here and with it another shake up at Goal Keeper. However, this time, it comes as less of a shock. Gone is Andrew Dykstra who had quickly lost his starting job to Sean Johnson. Now, with Dyksta cut from the roster, the Fire need a backup keeper. And, with the reserve league starting again this year, they might need a third keeper to play on the reserve.

Enter Jon Conway, formerly of Toronto FC. Conway, a 30 something keeper has seen starter time with Toronto and Red Bull. Sometimes brilliant, sometimes flat. It should be interesting to see if Conway's experience gives him an edge over Johnson for the starter spot.

No One Strikes Like Gaston...

Ok, maybe that obscure movie reference doesn't work for anyone without little kids. FYI, It's Disney's Beauty and the Beast.

Apropos?

Well that remains to be seen. Will the Fire's latest acquisition be a Beauty or a Bust? Frankie Klopas announced that the Fire have signed Gaston Puerari from the Uraguay Primera Division. Gaston is a striker by trade. But as is often the case with South American strikers, he is not a 6 foot target forward. Rather, Gaston is a speedy, penetrating dribbler. If that sounds alarmingly like a description of Nery Castillo, don't despair. In 2010 Gaston scored 5 goals in 14 appearances for his Primera Division side, the Montevideo Wanderers.

C.J. Brown Joins RSL

Former Fire Captain, Fire Original, and one of the longest playing professionals in MLS history, C.J. Brown has joined the coaching staff of Real Salt Lake as Assistant to Jason Kries.

RSL have built their style on a stingy defense, so bringing in a defensive specialist as Assistant Coach is not much of a surprise. Perhaps the bigger surprise is that Chicago had an assistant spot open this year. If C.J. was available, why didn't Chicago pick him up?

Oh well, yet another Fire starter we are going to have to face on the opposing bench this year...

Time to Break out Your Date Book!

Finally! Today the league anounced that the complete 2011 regular season schedule will be release this comming Thursday, February 6th. Get ready to pick games and reschedule that family vacation you were planning! (I've actually been putting off all my relatives so that I could plan my visit to Texas around the Houston Dynamo game...)

Would You Like Some Nuts with Your Pepsi?

It's been a while since I've come across a commercial worthy of inclusion in our continuing series of cool/funny/outrageous soccer commercials. Here's the latest. It brings new, and painful, meaning to the phrase, "Take one for the team." Enjoy (and grimace).