BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – The Chicago Fire need depth at center back after Arne Friedrich announced his retirement last week, and they may bring in a familiar face to fill the void.
Yamith Cuesta (above, left) is back with the Fire for a trial after leaving the club in the 2011 offseason. Since then, he's played in Spain's lower divisions, his native Colombia and most recently Brazil.
“We keep an eye on him, we watch games,” coach Frank Klopas said on Tuesday. “There's always opportunities with these guys that want to go overseas. We've stayed in touch with him. He's got the characteristics in that position, he's athletic, good with the ball in the air, he's young. I think he's gotten better with the experience playing internationally.”
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The 24-year-old started 18 games with the Fire in 2011 after spending two seasons with Chivas USA, but he didn't start any of his last 10 games with the club.
Starting right back Jalil Anibaba is the Fire's only healthy natural center back after starters Bakary Soumare and Austin Berry.
“We need cover in the back,” Klopas said. “We can move guys around, but those are areas that we need to add some depth. He's a guy that we've known. He went over to Brazil and played. He's still a young guy, athletic, good with the ball. So we know him well. It's an opportunity to see him for a week, then we'll make a decision.”
