BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – Chicago Fire attackers Dominic Oduro (above) and Sebastián Grazzini won’t play in Wednesday’s friendly against Mexican club Chivas de Guadalajara.
Chicago interim head coach Frank Klopas told reporters Tuesday that both players will be held out of Wednesday’s exhibition at Toyota Park because of minor injuries picked up in Saturday’s 2-0 loss at San Jose. Neither Oduro (ankle) nor Grazzini (hamstring) participated in full training on Tuesday, though Klopas said he expects both to be ready for this Saturday’s critical league match against Chivas USA.
“Dom is hurting,” Klopas said. “He came out of the [San Jose] game and his ankle was a little swollen. Sebastian, his hamstring his tight, it’s bothering him a little bit. I don’t see them playing tomorrow.”
Home Grown signing Kellen Gulley could see action against the Mexican giants, however. The 17-year-old, who signed with the Fire earlier this summer, isn’t allowed to play in competitive first-team games until next year but is eligible to play in friendlies, said a Fire spokesman.
Klopas also said that he wants to field a lot of players on Wednesday, indicating that he’ll likely use the majority of the 10 subs allowed in the friendly match. He hinted that he’ll use a starting lineup filled mostly with first-teamers and bring in reserves at halftime.
“We’ll try to get everyone at least 45 minutes so everyone’s staying sharp and we’re not really putting guys out there and getting them tired before the game Saturday,” Klopas said. “It’s going to be something where we can continue to get a good opportunity to get a good run against a good team and get ready for the game on Saturday.”
Sam Stejskal covers the Chicago Fire for MLSsoccer.com. Email him at sam.h.stejskal@gmail.com.
