BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – As speculation mounts on which city Jermaine Jones might next call home, two of his potential midfield colleagues at the Chicago Fire confirmed their excitement at the possible arrival of the in-demand US midfielder.
A team source revealed that a decision on Jones’ future, one way or the other, is expected by the end of this week, but with the New England Revolution also in the ring to land the 33-year-old, nobody in Chicago is celebrating his signing just yet.
However, midfielders Matt Watson and recent addition Razvan Cocis are both excited by the potential addition, a player they believe can only strengthen the club’s late push to make the playoffs, if head coach Frank Yallop can lure him to Chicago.
“He’s a fantastic player and right now we could do with some help,” Watson told MLSsoccer.com at Toyota Park on Tuesday. “We need to get some wins, and he’s the type of player who gets down and dirty and does a lot of the work that maybe we need in the middle of the field. I don’t know him personally, but just from what I’ve seen in the World Cup he looks like a fantastic player and personally I think he was the best US player in the World Cup. So any help we can get to make this playoff run would be welcome, so I’m excited about that.”
Romanian international Cocis, who arrived during the recent transfer window and has played in four games, agreed that Jones’ experience and attitude would only improve the team.
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“He’s an experienced player, and he’s going to be helpful for the team,” Cocis said. “He played in the World Cup, so he should bring something different to the team. I think one of the most important things we need to bring here is a more fighting spirit, a don’t-give-up mentality. We never give up, but now in this situation we need some support and something to keep us there.”
In addition to the possible Jones acquisition, Welsh striker Robert Earnshaw is expected in Chicago on Wednesday, and his presence and attacking prowess will help the Fire in their quest to make a late run for a playoff spot with 11 games to go.
Shane Murray covers the Chicago Fire for MLSsoccer.com.
