BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – The open cubbies in the Chicago Fire locker room are filling up quickly, but from what owner Andrew Hauptman told reporters on Sunday, it seems certain those last few empty lockers will be occupied by the time the summer transfer window ends.
“I've been at least asking politely for more additions,” Hauptman said. “Hopefully with the July window, we'll see some of that. I see the list that's being evaluated literally every single day. There's some real quality, and hopefully we'll get something done.”
The Fire held tight before the transfer window closed in early May, but they recentely added center back Bakary Soumare and attacker Mike Magee in trades with the Philadelphia Union and LA Galaxy. Both players immediately found themselves in the starting lineup.
READ: Fire impressed with Magee's second goal in as many games across all competitions
Magee has scored as many goals this season as his new teammates have combined, but he's never scored more than seven in a season. Whether he's the consistent goalscorer the Fire have needed since Brian McBride retired in 2010 remains to be seen, and Chicago may look to add another striker or a playmaker when July rolls around.
“We have to [be aggressive in the transfer market],” Hauptman said. “The record is what it is, so [we're] not closing our eyes or crossing our fingers and hoping it gets better next week. I don't think that's an effective solution, although I think clearly the record is not as good as the quality of the individuals we've got on the club. I think everyone would feel that way.”
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Hauptman invested heavily in forward Sherjill MacDonald last season and has seen limited returns. The Dutchman hasn't scored a goal this season and has not started the last four games. But Hauptman said he won't dictate whether the club's only Designated Player will start.
“It's about delivering results,” Hauptman said. “It's not my place to say when he should play or where he should play or how he should play. That's really up to the guys who are in charge of making that decision. Look, he definitely has opportunities to come in and have an impact, whether it's off the bench or whether it's as a starter. It's his for the taking.”
