BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – Sherjill MacDonald returned to practice for the Chicago Fire on Wednesday after recovering from a case of strep throat that kept him out of the team’s 1-0 loss to Philadelphia last Saturday, but that doesn't necessarily mean a return to the starting XI.
“He was out here today training, he just did stuff with the fitness guy,” head coach Frank Klopas said of McDonald. “He should be available for us this weekend. … Obviously he's feeling a little weak.”
Klopas made it clear that he planned on starting Patrick Nyarko up top in MacDonald's place last week, regardless of the Designated Player's health. It now looks like MacDonald, who has appeared in eight of the team’s nine games but has yet to score a goal this season, has to win his starting job back over the next few weeks.
“If one guy's not getting it done, you've got another guy that can step in,” Klopas said. “You've got to keep the guys on their toes.”
Maicon Santos wasn't available to start Saturday's game because of a knee injury, and he'll be out for a few more weeks after suffering a shoulder injury.
