MLS Transfers: Fire Ink Earnshaw

In an effort to make the playoffs, the Fire have signed 33-year-old forward Robert Earnshaw. He has a journeyman career including a spell at Toronto FC in 2013 where he scored 8 goals in 26 appearances.

Born in Zambia but raised in Wales, Earnshaw made 58 appearances for the Welsh National Team while making stops at Cardiff, West Brom, Norwich, Derby, Nottingham Forest, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Toronto FC and most recently, Blackpool where he only made one appearance. Earnshaw joins the Fire as they try to gain momentum towards the playoff and hopefully can score a few crucial goals for the team.

"Robert is a veteran player with a wealth of international experience," said Fire head coach and Director of Soccer Frank Yallop. "He's a gifted, natural goal-scorer who is already familiar with the League, and we're glad to have him join the Fire as we continue the second half of the MLS campaign."

This move comes as a good time for the team as some players are starting to show some fatigue (Harry Shipp) while others haven't produced (Matthew Fondy). Earnshaw should challenge Amarikwa for minutes and hopefully keep everyone fresh while adding competition for places which is always a good thing.

One other conclusion that can be drawn from this move is that Jermaine Jones will not be joining the Fire. He has been rumored to be close to joining New England for the past week.

Earnshaw deal in the works for a few days. #cf97 RT @RobertEarnshaw: Hopefully I can give you some breaking news today.stay tuned..

— Jeff Crandall (@jefecrandall) August 15, 2014

My guess is that the Fire waved the white flag in the Jones race and quickly spend some of that money elsewhere in an effort to make the playoffs. This is some good news in the wake of the disaster in Seattle and hopefully Earnshaw can be the added boost that the team needs to get involved in the muddled playoff race in the East.

What do you think of the move? Is it enough?