MLS Draft: Fire select Kingsley Bryce 28th

We're almost there. The long cold is almost over. Players report to Toyota Park in 10 days for preseason.

The Chicago Fire's roster is almost there, too. The latest addition - St. Louis University forward Kingsley Bryce - was picked up with the 7th pick in the second round of the 2015 MLS SuperDraft, 28th overall. Bryce's addition leaves the Men in Red with 24 men on the roster, 25 if the long-rumored re-signing of Alex comes to fruition.

The pick shared a few similarities to the Fire's first-round choice, defensive midfielder . Both Bryce and Matt Polster (cf97's first-round pick) have sparkling academic records, and both played college ball in the St. Louis area. Could loans to long-rumored USL Pro partner St. Louis FC be in the offing?

Bryce promises to add depth to the attacking positions, but was a head-scratcher in terms of filling out the roster. The Fire still have only Jeff Larentowicz, Adailton and Eric Gehrig as centerbacks; first-round pick Polster has played there but "prefers to play in midfield."

The Fire do have one Designated Player slot available; is it possible they could burn one on a defender? That has been a rarity in MLS, but it's possible such a move could bolster the Men in Red strongly. Failing that, there's always rounds three and four of the draft, which will take place Tuesday afternoon via conference call.