Pavel Pardo re-signs with the Chicago Fire for two more years
by Tweed Thornton on Jan 19, 2012 12:18 AM CST
in Fire Roster News & Analysis
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Rumored to be the case for about a week now and never really in doubt, the Chicago Fire announced Wednesday that they had re-signed midfielder Pavel Pardo. The press release had the usual 'per league and team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed' boilerplate. However, team writer Jeff Crandall stated that Pardo signed a two-year contract. We still don't know the money involved but Pardo is not a designated player.
More on Pardo after the break.
The fact that Pavel Pardo scored a goal in his Chicago Fire debut back on August 3 was a good omen for the games to come. The goal was the lone Fire score in a 1-1 draw against the Philadelphia Union. Chicago improved their record to 2-6-13 (19 points) that evening. Pardo and Sebastian Grazzini helped the club to turn around its disappointing season by finishing 7-3-3 for a 9-9-16 (43) points overall record. Pardo added five assists to his statistical total before the end of the season. His biggest contribution tended to be something you can't count on the stat sheet.
"Pavel helped kick-start our turnaround at the end of last season," said Chicago Fire head coach Frank Klopas. "He provides tremendous experience for us in the middle of the park, serves as a great example for our younger players and plays for the badge every time he steps on the field."
The Mexican defensive midfielder brought a calm coolness that was missing from a team that always seemed to be in a hurry to untie a game. Pardo does the little things like make a dangerous pass without the opposition realizing it until it's too late. In the opponent's box, Pardo calmly collects the ball and then gets it out to a teammate to start a counterattack instead of lobbing the ball out of harm's way temporarily. As Klopas mentioned, the 35 year-old veteran teaches much to the younger players around him.
A two-year deal will take Pardo through 2013. He'll be 37 years old on July 26, 2013. There is an age concern but I'm not worried for now. Pardo was hustling and giving it all in the U.S. Open Cup Final in October. It's not that his teammates were lackadaisical, it's more like he had a third gear to everyone else's second when he chased Seattle's defense as they passed the ball all the way back to Kasey Keller. Pardo still ran towards Keller dare Seattle's goalkeeper get comfortable sending the ball up field again.
Pardo told Crandall:
"I'm starting with the team from the beginning of the year which I think is so important to how we develop as a group. I know the club well, I know my teammates and I think we have a great base heading into 2012 because we had so many new players last year. This season there will be less new faces and we'll be starting off on a much stronger foot."
Things are looking very good for 2012. Pavel Pardo will continue to be a big part of any Chicago Fire success next year.
Name: Pável Pardo Segura
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5'9" (1.75m)
Weight: 150 lbs. (68kg)
Date of Birth: July 26, 1976
Place of Birth: Guadalajara, Mexico
Hometown: Guadalajara, Mexico
Citizenship: Mexico
Last Club: Club America (MEX)
Acquired: Re-signed by the Chicago Fire January 18, 2011
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Good news, if not unexpected
I was pretty skeptical when rumors of Pardo’s signing were floating around last summer, but the guy has proven me (and any other doubters) completely wrong. Yes, age might become more of a concern over the next couple years, but Pavel seems like the ultimate professional and a great leader who can have an excellent influence on the team no matter how much he plays — plus, if he does play like he did last summer, then he’ll bring more than just a professional attitude.
I didn’t think he would be nearly as good as he has been. If he can give his all and the Fire bring in a trophy or two, I’d say Pardo has an outside chance at entering the Ring of Fire. Gotta win trophies though.
I wouldn’t mind him sticking around the organization in some front office capacity after the 2013 season either. Just a total class act that brings some swagger to an organization that desperately needed some.
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by Tweed Thornton on Jan 19, 2012 8:20 AM CST via iPhone app up reply actions
Agree that this is wonderful news...
very good player, and I can’t wait to see what he can produce for us with a full season to play and much more cohesiveness team-wise this year.
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The great thing about Pardo is his experience
Pardo started playing professionally before Victor Pineda was even a twinkle in his father’s eye. I think Pardo makes up for his advanced age with experience. My impression from watching him last year is that he doesn’t need to exert himself too much because he knows where to be. He can anticipate the game and doesn’t seem to get caught out of position or off guard, so he doesn’t have to chase opponents as much.
Another good thing about his experience is he also knows where to go with the ball. He hit Grazzini on a couple of runs last year that really stood out. Sadly, it stood out because no one else in our midfield seemed capable of getting the ball up field last season
competition
Glad to see ownership willing to spend $$ to give Coach K the latitude to have a professional roster were ALL the players need to feel the heat to EARN that starting spot … now Coach K can actually SIT guys who go out of form, or need a break after international duty … competition will only make players like Pardo look even better as the players around him are more hungry and focused.
Very good point...
this could be especially good for players like Pappa, since he tends to float in and out of play. Obviously, sitting on the bench doesn’t help his resume for Europe. Some true competition could be good for a player like him. If he plays like he knows how to all season long for us, that could really push us up a big, big step in the league.
Hot Time In Old Town SB Nation's blog for Chicago Fire, Soccer, & Chicago History
Tradition. Honor. Passion.
by Ryan Sealock on Jan 20, 2012 10:21 AM CST up reply actions
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