BRIDGEVIEW, Ill – Rafael Robayo is still a member of the Chicago Fire as they head to New York for Wednesday’s midday game (1 pm ET, watch LIVE online).
Reports that the Colombian midfielder was heading back to Millonarios – the club for whom he played the last seven seasons as an entrenched starter before coming to Chicago in the offseason – surfaced over the weekend. Robayo has logged 15 games in 2012 for the Fire, although he has only played 410 minutes and has yet to find his name on the scoresheet.
“With every player, you want to be in a position where you’re playing all the time, but you’re a part of a team, and he understands that,” head coach Frank Klopas said. “His transition is improving and getting better with time. I’m sure there’s teams that want him to go back. He’s a member of the Fire now, that’s all I can say.
"When he’s been called upon, he’s done a very good job," Klopas continued. "Whether it’s five minutes or ten minutes or 45 minutes. He’s come in with the right attitude in difficult moments.”
Robayo should be available for selection on Wednesday, along with Marco Pappa, who didn’t play on Saturday against Vancouver because of an upper respiratory infection. Pappa trained both days this week, and Klopas said the midfielder is healthy.
Arne Friedrich won’t travel to New York after receiving a red card in Saturday’s game. His likely replacement on the gameday roster will be rookie Hunter Jumper.
