LINK CHICAGO (AP) -- Mexican star Cuauhtemoc Blanco officially joined the Chicago Fire on Tuesday, signing a contract to become the third player to join a Major League Soccer club under the "designated player rule." Terms of the contract were not released. The 34-year-old Blanco will return to Mexico City's Club America for the remainder of the Clausura season. He is expected to join the Fire in July, pending national team duty. "I'm ready to work and bring a championship to Chicago," Blanco said at a news conference at a downtown hotel. "I'm very excited to be here." Blanco has appeared in 95 games with the Mexican national team, including World Cups in 1998 and 2002. Despite being slowed recently by injuries, he still is recognized as one of the game's top playmakers. He was the Mexican league player of the year in 2004 and 2005. "I have a lot of respect for Blanco," Fire captain Chris Armas said. "He's such a good passer and a guy that can hurt you offensively. I'm glad he's on our side now." In 1999 Blanco scored six goals in the Confederations Cup, helping Mexico top Brazil in the final. "He's a very, very good attacking player and he's a feisty guy," Fire defender C.J. Brown said. "We need a little bit of that. He wins championships." He missed the 2006 World Cup after a fallout with then coach Ricardo La Volpe the year before. Now with Hugo Sanchez having been installed as manager, Blanco is hoping for a recall to El Tri. "I want to keep playing with Mexico, Blanco said. "I'm going to work for that." During the summer, Mexico will take part in the CONCACAF Gold Cup and Copa America. It is possible that Blanco will be called to the national team and miss some playing time with the Fire. Blanco is the latest of several well-known Mexicans to jump to MLS and first with the Fire since 1998, when goalkeeper Jorge Campos was acquired. He becomes the third designated player in MLS, following David Beckham (Los Angeles Galaxy) and Claudio Reyna (New York Red Bulls). More than 5,000 fans greeted Blanco Monday night at Toyota Park with posters, scarves and cheers. "It was a big surprise, Blanco said. I didn't know that could be possible. I received the support of thousands of fans, and I'm so excited." The Fire opens its season Saturday against New England at Toyota Park.
Thats fantastic. The second greatest Mexiacn player ever after Hugo Sanchez. Did you hear???? Beckham is trying to get Zidane over here (MLS)too! Can you imagine? We may not be so far away from having a pretty good league.
If MLS wants to reach the status that they so desire and higly speak of,then they have to stop doing this crap(signing over the hill players)
I don't know if its a good idea to name a sports team after a major disaster in your city. The Chicago Fire to me would be like the Galveston Hurricanes.
It's more of a nod to their fire department, but I get what you're saying. Blanco still has plenty left in the tank and can make Chicago an even stronger team. The Dynamo are going to have a tough time defending the championship this year. DC United looked very good last night against Chivas, even in losing. I'm not crazy about bringing these guys in, but if it's for the betterment of the league, they'd be silly not to do it. It has been working throughout the league's history. This isn't a new thing. Stoichkov, Valdarama, Etcheverry (I know I just butchered all three of those names) were all huge names that came to the MLS and were successful.
