The writing was on the wall. In upper-case lettering.
The Chicago Fire announced on Wednesday that young forwards Cristian Nazarit and Gabriel Ferrari will not be returning in 2012 after their contract options were not picked up.
“We have mutually agreed with both players that parting ways is in the best interest of both parties and wish them well in the future,” Fire head coach Frank Klopas said in a club statement.
Nazarit, who came into MLS with the nickname "the Colombian Eto’o," saw action in 12 games and scored two goals. However, the 21-year-old didn’t play a single minute in the MLS regular season after Aug. 13.
The former Colombian youth international signed with the Fire from Santa Fe on May 4 and also made three US Open Cup starts for Chicago. He ended the campaign on the team's injury report with a left quad strain.
Ferrari had an injury-riddled stay in Chicago after winning a spot on the squad in the preseason. He suffered a left ACL tear that required knee reconstruction and also battled a right ankle sprain before that.
The former 2007 US Under-20 World Cup forward saw his time on the field limited to only 17 total minutes of action over three matches in June. He also played a half against the Rochester Rhinos in the USOC Round of 16.
