:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48507829/usa-today-8766819.0.jpg)
If there was any question left about a complete rebuild, there should be no doubt anymore.
According to Soccerwire.com, Patrick Nyarko is on his way to DC United in a trade that will bring back either draft picks, targeted allocation money or a combination of both for the Fire. Immensely popular both on and off the field, Nyarko's impending departure is a clear message new coach Veljko Paunovic has the greenest of lights to put his own stamp on the team.
What exactly could this mean for Nyarko? It means he could very well get a fresh start in a city that has rejuvenated career's of other players, like Chris Rolfe. Rolfe, who struggled at the end of his tenure with the Fire much like Nyarko, has flourished under Ben Olsen at D.C. United. Nyarko could be looking for the same thing after dealing with injuries over the last two seasons. He did come back after a serious knee injury in 2015 to be a factor on the wing for the Men in Red as he scored 3 goals and notched 4 assists. Set to turn 30 this month, Nyarko could still has some good years left if he can stay healthy.
What exactly could this mean for the Fire? It means yet another veteran is no longer with the team, leaving Sean Johnson as the longest serving player with 6 season under his belt and a whopping one game of playoff experience on the entire team.
What's my take? I have always liked Patrick as a player. He always gave it his all for the team, played his heart out and was one of the most dangerous players going forward. I think this would be a big loss for the Fire because it would mean yet another roster spot that needs to be filled. He showed in 2015 that he can still contribute and even in a few years he is the type of player that would adapt to playing different positions to help the team.
I thought that in a few years time, he could even evolve into a solid right back, but that is not going to happen, at least in Chicago. Whatever his reasoning is for requesting a trade, I wish him all of the best when and if this trade does happen. I hope one day he can lift a trophy with whatever team he does play for whether that be with D.C. United or another club.
With the roster as it stands now, I would expect Joevin Jones and David Accam have the wings covered. Jones' days of bouncing back and forth between left back and left wing are likely over, putting an increased burden on young Patrick Doody or whoever else the Fire may bring in to compete for that spot.
Bliss to Sporting Kansas City official
As rumored yesterday, Chicago's former technical director is officially a member of Sporting Kansas City, taking over as director of player personnel. Bliss has ties to Sporting Kansas City, both as player during the Wizards era and on the coaching staff in the early to mid 2000s. Bliss found some success in Kansas City during that initial tenure and even more after he moved to Columbus as technical director. His most disappointing results, of course, came with the Fire.
Sporting Kansas City is one of the best run organizations in all of MLS and I am sure it will not take long to see the kind of positive impact Bliss can bring to a well-structured front office.