BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – The Chicago Fire locker room was crestfallen after a 2-0 US Open Cup loss to D.C. United on Wednesday, and the short-term residual effects aren't promising, either.
The Fire could be without three offensive starters on Saturday when the Montreal Impact visit (8:30 pm ET, watch on MLS Live) after Patrick Nyarko left Wednesday's game with a knock to the head and Chris Rolfe and Mike Magee picked up minor injuries.
“It's just tough because we put a lot into that game,” head coach Frank Klopas told reporters on Friday. “You lose that game and obviously now with Patrick, with Chris, we're struggling a little with Mike.”
Nyarko left Wednesday's loss in the 36th minute after taking a knock to the head early in the game. His injury was especially worrisome because he's suffered multiple concussions during his career, but the team has stated that he only has “concussion-like symptoms,” so Klopas said he's day-to-day.
Rolfe is suffering from a minor hamstring injury and Klopas said Magee “had some knocks,” and that both players are also day-to-day.
Luckily, the Fire have some newfound depth up top with Designated Player Juan Luis Anangonó, who made his Fire debut off the bench on Wednesday. If Rolfe and Magee can't go at home on Saturday, the Ecuadorian may be in line for his first start.
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“I think he came in and he showed some good qualities,” Klopas said of Anangonó's debut. “You saw his pace, he's physically strong. I thought he did well in his first start. Coming in, I thought it was positive. He's adapted well and fast, so that's good.”
Quincy Amarikwa also could be an option to receive his first Fire start after Klopas inserted him late in each of the last five games.
“He brings a lot of energy for sure,” Klopas said. “Some guys come in and they never get chances. But he's a guy who comes in and, with his ability to be in the right spot, to make the hard runs, to create something out of nothing, he brings a lot of energy when he comes in. He's been very good for us.”
