During the weather delay in the match between the Chicago Fire and Sporting Kansas City, Chicago Fire general manager Nelson Rodriguez sat down with the media to answer questions regarding the Fire and their moves heading forward.
Addressing the Fire's poor start
Chicago currently sits last in the MLS table and Rodriguez didn't shy away from addressing that situation full on. But at the same time, he remained optimistic about the season when reflecting on it at the halfway point.
"We are all disappointed in our record," Rodriguez started off when asked about his thoughts on the season at the halfway point. But yet he made some positive remarks by stating that, "I'm satisfied with the effort with the guys."
Rodriguez, like everyone at the club, wants to see more production out of the team and he stated that very clearly.
"But until we can win three or four games in a row, internally we will always feel that lingering doubt," said Rodriguez. He also cited the need for a real leader in the locker room to step up and suggested Chicago might bring in someone with a big personality.
"We need a bigger personality on the field and in the locker room," he said.
Possible moves for Chicago in the transfer window?
The Fire have a designated player (DP) spot open heading into the July transfer window and are likely to use that spot. Rodriguez was asked about Chicago's plans for the spot.
"We had some targets we had identified for January (transfer window) but we are trying looking to see if we can accelerate any of those targets," said Rodriguez, citing as well that Chicago did not initially plan to be active in this window. But, obviously, things have changed.
"If and when we find the right match, my answer is yes," said Rodriguez if he will use the DP spot this January.
"We've had lengthy discussion on a few players in the league," he also added.
Chicago has two roster spots open and might not have to make any changes to the current roster if they were to make a move in the window. Rodriguez reiterated that statement
"We could make transactions that don't require us to move a player."