BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – The Chicago Fire received some welcome news on the injury front Thursday – left back Gonzalo Segares should be able to start on Saturday against Toronto FC (8:30 pm ET, watch LIVE online) after he suffered a minor ankle strain late last week, which caused him to miss Saturday’s 1-1 tie against San Jose.
“It feels alright, so hopefully I’ll be ready for Saturday,” Segares told MLSsoccer.com. “Right now, everything’s looking good.”
The Costa Rican defender’s ankle began bothering him last Thursday after practice, even though he never rolled it. He trained fully this week.
Back line depth improving
With Steve Kinney back fully training after sitting out the entire 2011 season with an Achilles' injury and center back Cory Gibbs jogging at practice over the last few weeks after tearing his meniscus in April, the Fire may have some extra backline depth for the stretch run.
But with rookie Austin Berry solidifying a spot next to Arne Friedrich in the middle of the Fire defense, coach Frank Klopas doesn’t seem keen on making many changes in the back over the next few months.
“In the back, it’s important that you have continuity,” Klopas said. “The more they’re together, the better understanding they develop. It’s good that everybody’s healthy. I haven’t made a lot of changes in the back, because it’s a lot about continuity and playing together that makes us sharp on the field.”
MacDonald approaching match fitness
Klopas was satisfied with Sherjill MacDonald’s first appearance last weekend at San Jose. The Dutch target man is inching his way toward being ready to start after the Fire acquired him last week.
“MacDonald is getting fitter and sharper,” Klopas said. “With every game, it’s going to get better. It’s just a situation where he’s got to get fit through sharpness. He hasn’t played in a long time, and we knew that. I thought he played good. He held the ball, he made some very good passes, and he for sure needs to get better and sharper. That’s going to come with playing.”
