BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – The Chicago Fire hit the market on Wednesday, making two trades to bolster both their attack and defense.
The Fire sent veteran forward Calen Carr to Houston for striker Dominic Oduro and acquired defender Yamith Cuesta from Chivas USA in exchange for a 2012 Supplemental Draft pick.
Carr, 28, leaves Chicago after spending more than five years with the club. His time with the Fire was marred by frequent injuries and he scored just nine goals in 82 career appearances.
The 25-year-old Oduro has been in the league since 2006, spending time with Dallas and New York before arriving in Houston in 2009. He made 44 appearances with the Dynamo and scoring six goals, five of which came last season.
“We felt like it was a good situation for us,” Fire technical director Frank Klopas said of the swap. “Oduro is a good young player with a lot of pace and we just thought that it was the right decision for our team.”
Klopas envisions the speedy Ghanaian playing on the wing and up top.
“It all depends how [head coach Carlos de los Cobos] wants to play,” Klopas said. “I think he can play out wide because he’s got a lot of pace, but he can certainly play up top, too. It just depends. He gives us more options.”
Cuesta comes to the Fire after spending the last two years with Chivas USA. The 21-year-old Colombian defender made 15 total appearances for the Goats and will provide depth to Chicago’s back line.
“He’s a young player but with a strong personality,” said de los Cobos of the former Colombia U-20 center back. “He’s mature, he’s very strong and he’s good with the ball. … We are trying to create a very solid block in defense and I’m sure that he will be a part of that block. It’s good for the team to get him.”
Sam Stejskal covers the Chicago Fire for MLSsoccer.com. Email him at sam.h.stejskal@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @samstejskal.
