The Fire have announced on their website that Mike Banner is no longer with the team as of January 24, 2012. His contract was not renewed after last season. In addition, Marco Pappa has reported to training camp after a visa issue.

Here's the Press release from the Fire:

"A product of SIU-Edwardsville, Banner has been out of contract since the beginning of the year, with the club and the player unable to come to terms on a new deal.

“We appreciate Mike and what he provided to the club during his time in Chicago,” Fire head coach Frank Klopas said from the team’s training camp in Ave Maria, Fla. Monday.

Selected 34th overall by the Fire in the 2007 MLS SuperDraft, Banner appeared in 54 regular season matches, tallying three goals and three assists for the club. Hailing from Washington, D.C., Banner saw perhaps his most productive season coming in 2009, when he appeared in 22 games, tallying two goals and three assists while deputizing in midfield and as a full back.

Hampered by injuries last season, Banner did not make a first team appearance for the club but appeared in two reserve matches during 2011."