BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – Just when it seemed like Chicago Fire center back Arne Friedrich was ready to return to the field for the first time this season, he suffered another setback with a hamstring injury that just won't go away.
The Fire's defensive leader had been pain-free for the last few weeks and was returning to fitness before re-injuring himself late last week. Now, he doesn't know when he'll be back on the field.
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“I trained for two weeks, and my legs were always pretty tight,” he said. “Then I had a setback, and now I feel pain again, so I have to be patient. I have to work on that. Unfortunately, I can't promise when I'll be back.”
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Friedrich injured himself shortly before the Fire's opener and has been out since. The Fire have struggled defensively so far this season, allowing 12 goals in six games, with Jalil Anibaba sliding from right back to center back and three different right backs filling his vacant spot.
The Fire were looking forward to possibly having the German back for Sunday's 2-1 loss to Houston before the latest injury. Now, it's unclear when he'll play this season.
The 33-year-old will continue to rehab with German physical therapist Thomas Fennewald, who is visiting Chicago, and the Fire medical staff.
“It's really annoying, because when a soccer player can't play soccer, everything else is really bad,” Friedrich said. “This injury is a little complicated and the only thing I can do is work hard and be patient. Sometimes, this is very hard for me because when the team is outside of the field, I have to go to the gym and get treatment. This is life, this is soccer.”
