The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced Friday that the club has acquired Alvaro Fernandez from Seattle Sounders FC in return for allocation money. Fernandez will occupy a Designated Player slot and is expected to join the team in San Jose prior to the Fire's match against the San Jose Earthquakes at Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. on Saturday, July 28 at 9:30 p.m. CT (NBC 5.2/97.5 ESPN Deportes). Fernandez becomes the second Designated Player added to the Fire's roster in the past week, as Dutch striker Sherjill MacDonald was signed by the club Tuesday.
More on why this is awesome after the break.
"Alvaro is an experienced player that has proven himself as an offensive weapon in MLS," said Fire Head Coach Frank Klopas. "He is a versatile player and can occupy a number of positions in the midfield. This addition strengthens our squad as we enter the second half of the season."
Fernandez's cotract extends into at least next year so this move is also insurance for Marco Pappa's almost certain departure after the 2012 season. Fernandez, 26, has been capped for Uruguay 11 times, including four appearances in 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifying. He becomes the 3rd player on Chicago Fire with World Cup experience after Arne Friedrich and Pavel Pardo. To put it bluntly, this is a big, big move and it isn't just a second-half gain. This is a long-term blockbuster and all the Fire gave up was allocation money.
Name: Alvaro Fernandez
Pronunciation: AHL-bah-ro
Position: Midfielder
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 159 lbs.
Date of Birth: October 11, 1985
Place of Birth: Soriano, Uruguay
Hometown: Soriano, Uruguay
Citizenship: Uruguay
Acquired: Signed from Seattle Sounders FC on July 27, 2012