On April 29, the Chicago Fire announced the signing of Paraguayan defender Lider Marmol (LEE-der MARR-mole) to the team's 28-man roster.
A native of Alto Parana, Paraguay, Lider Marmol last played with Hercules CF in Spain's second division in the latter stages of the 2007 season. Marmol, 22, signed with the club during that season's December transfer window and had an immediate impact in the center of the team's defense. He started 11 matches for Hercules and scored one goal.
Prior to the 2007-2008 campaign, Marmol was invited for preseason tryouts with English sides Coventry City FC and Reading FC.
Lider has been in camp for about five weeks, and Fire Insider had a chance to catch up with the Fire's newest edition during the team's bye week.
Fire Insider: You just moved to Chicago - What do you think of the city?
Lider Marmol: Chicago is a beautiful city! While I look for an apartment I'm staying at the Midway Marriott but I just went to eat downtown with some friends and I think it is a great city.
FI: Where are you looking for apartments?
LM: I would love to live in the city but it would be a little inconvenient because I would have to drive to the stadium for practice every day. The city is a little bit far so I'd rather live close to the stadium so I don't have to drive so far each day.
FI: You haven't been in Chicago very long but are there any parts of the city that you would like to get to know better?
LM: I think the part of Chicago I would like to get to know better are the beaches. I think it will be fun to meet more people out at the beach. So far the weather has been so cold that I haven't been able to make it out there - but now that it is getting warmer, I want to go to the beaches here.
FI: You have been around the team for about three weeks now - what do you think?
LM: The team is playing very well right now and I think this year the team has a very good chance at winning the championship.
FI: Are there any players in particular that have been helping you with the transition?
LM: Pretty much everyone has been helping me. During training and in the locker room I just make sure I'm standing by one of the Spanish speaking players so that I can understand what the coach is saying - sometimes he speaks in Spanish as well but otherwise everyone is very helpful.
FI: What is like to play with Cuauhtémoc Blanco?
LM: I think that throughout all of South America he is an important player. For me it is an honor to be on the same team and I look forward to playing along side him in a game because it really will be an honor. He is a such a good player and makes everyone around him play better.
FI: Do you consider yourself a defender or a midfielder?
LM: I have always played in the backline whether on the right or left doesn't matter - but I feel more comfortable close to the goal. Here with the Fire I am seeing some opportunities in the midfield as well. I don't feel 100 percent comfortable in that position yet, but I am doing my best to learn how to play in the middle of field as well.
FI: If you could say one thing to the fans in Chicago what would you want to say?
LM: The fans that I have seen so far are great. The have flags and sing songs, but I would tell everyone to continue to come out and support the team.
