Stop us if you’ve heard this before: within the locker room at Toyota Park this week, there is a general feeling that training camp is over.
Yes, that also was the mindset back on Monday, March 2 as the Men In Red buckled down for the 2015 season-opener against the LA Galaxy. But it’s a similar story this week, now that the Fire have gone more than two weeks since their last competitive match.
In the eyes of manager Frank Yallop, the unexpected fortnight off -- a period which will stretch to 20 days by the time the Fire host NYCFC Friday night (7 p.m. CT, Univision Deportes) -- paid noticeable dividends for his side.
“I think we’ve worked very hard the last two weeks,” Yallop said Monday, which marked a final day off the pitch for the Men In Red before resuming training on Tuesday. “The guys are calling it a mini-preseason because it’s so long between the games. We really pushed the guys fitness-wise because a lot of guys missed a lot of preseason -- Jeff Larentowicz, [Shaun] Maloney, [David] Accam, I could go on and on -- so I think it was good for us to get our fitness really, really amped up, and we did.
“Shaun’s looked really sharp in training, and so has David,” Yallop continued. “I think in the end you’re going to see those guys really shine in the games real soon.”
More Monday News & Notes:
• There’s no doubt that midfielder Victor Perez is another individual who has benefited from the lengthy layoff, with the Spaniard continuing to progress toward match fitness. Hear what Frank Yallop had to say Monday regarding his recent acquisition:
• NYCFC will arrive at Toyota Park with an eye on snapping its current winless streak, which reached five games after a Thursday night draw with Philadelphia Union followed by a 1-0 home defeat to Portland Timbers Sunday evening. Against the Timbers, Jason Kreis' side was without both David Villa, who is nursing a hamstring injury, and Mix Diskerud, who sustained a knock in warm-ups that kept him from participating.
Still, NYCFC (1-3-3, 6 points) outshot their opponents (21-12), held 54 percent of the possession and were beaten only by a deflected shot off the boot of Portland's Dairon Asprilla.
• Several members of the Fire lineup are continuing to rehab injuries of their own, which Frank Yallop touched on Monday morning. Midfielder Michael Stephens, who suffered a sprained ankle in the opening minutes of the Fire's win over Toronto FC, has begun running once again but likely will not be available Friday against NYCFC. Forward Quincy Amarikwa, meanwhile, is progressing well from a slight knock on his ankle also sustained against Toronto and is expected to be available for selection later this week.
• Saint Louis FC, the Fire’s USL affiliate, was on the short end of a 1-0 outcome Saturday night against the Rochester Rhinos, but Fire loanees Patrick Doody and Alec Kann each showed well for themselves in defeat.
“Doody’s done well, we liked him a lot in preseason and it’s great for him to go full-time to St. Louis to get playing time there. He’s one for the future for us," said Yallop, who noted he is pleased with a current list of available outside backs that includes Joevin Jones, Eric Gehrig, Lovel Palmer, Greg Cochrane and the loaned Patrick Doody.
• After playing their first home prime time match of the year this Friday, the Men In Red will be up early Saturday to hold their fifth annual Practice In The Community. The event is free and open to the public and is slated to run from 8:30-11 a.m. at the Gary/Ortiz School (31st & Lawndale, Chicago).
