Mingo Minute: Chicago Fire’s Allan Rodriguez makes his pro debut for Forward Madison in defeat

Chicago Fire Homegrown midfielder Allan Rodriguez made his first appearance—and start—for Forward Madison FC Saturday night, but the Mingos lost a tight one on the road to Richmond Kickers 1-0.

He’s the second Fire player to appear for Madison this season. Attacker Alex Monis came on as a second half substitute again last night, as he did in the team’s first two matches of the season.

Goalkeeper Chris Brady was in the 18 again, but has yet to see action this season.

Before the match, Fire head coach Raphael Wicky said he hoped Rodriguez would play in the match.

“The feedback is very positive from the coaching staff, and Alex Monis has already had some minutes,” Wicky said. “I hope that Allan Rodriguez also gets some, and maybe even Chris Brady. Goalkeeper position is a little bit different. You don’t want to change every single game, the goalkeeper. But that’s the coach in Madison’s job to do. But in general, we are very happy that they are getting this training.”

Wicky said we won’t see more Fire players heading north anytime soon, because they’d have to undergo a 10-14 day quarantine before they could train, and again if they were recalled by the Fire.

“That’s why right now these things right now don’t make sense,” Wicky said. “Right now, we are planning to keep everyone here who is here, and everyone over there who is over there.”

The Mingos take on South Georgia Tormenta FC this Friday night, Aug. 14, at Hart Park in Wauwatosa, WI. You can buy tickets here. Or, watch the match on ESPN+. If you don’t have a subscription, sign up using our link.