Fire prepare to sign second designated player, trade Mapp to Union

The Justin Mapp era never really began in Chicago, despite his prodigious talent, youth and relative lack of competition on the wing. In the end, Chicago decided that Mapp was not worth waiting for, trading the 25-year-old U.S. National to the Philadelphia Union for an undisclosed return of allocation money.

The Union are getting one of the most talented and dynamic players stateside, who I am certain will add swagger to one of the youngest teams to the MLS. For a team that young, and who are already the most exciting team to watch in the league, Mapp is a perfect fit.

After signing 26-year-old Nery Castillo as the team’s first designated player, the move of Mapp opens the opportunity for the Fire to sign a second DP. The possiblity exists that former Fire midfielder DaMarcus Beasley could come back to his hometown team, as he is currently a free agent.

Former Millwall midfielder Daniel Spiller is another viable option for the Fire, but perhaps not as a designated player. Mapp and Spiller are on similar levels of skill, and adding Spiller as a designated player could easily be perceived as a waste of the spot.

Some major names, like Ronaldinho, will be rumored, but are unlikely to make their way to the windy city. The best possible option for the Fire would be a centerback in his peak, but with the designated player tag comes a level of flash and flare. And while a centerback might be vital, they are hardly marketable.

Perhaps the Fire could bring in their own Thierry Henry, but such a move will not be made in a quick or timely manner. The first priority for the Fire, when using their allocation money, is to make sure that the team’s best player, Marco Pappa, is happy and paid. After all, it was the emergence of Pappa that pushed Mapp out.

Even if Pappa is given a handsome raise, Brian McBride will soon be on his way to retirement, freeing another large chunk of cash off the ledger. Is it outrageous to think that a European-wallowing Jozy Altidore could find his way to Chicago as a designated player?

Yeah.

But I’ll keep crossing my fingers, and crazier things have happened.

I spent a fantastic sunday in Kansas City, where I enjoyed the Wizards beating a Carling Cup Machester United squad. I’ll post video and reactions from the game in the next few days.

Category: Chicago Fire, Off the field, Team News, Transfer rumours