Alvaro Medran trains with the Chicago Fire for the first time in 2021

Alvaro Medran turned 27 today, and the Chicago Fire midfielder celebrated by taking part in his first training session of the season.

Medran was recently approved for a green card, which means he no longer takes up an international slot on the Fire’s roster. But, the green card process caused Medran to be delayed getting back to the the United States. The Fire flew him straight to Florida a week ago, but because of the required seven-day quarantine, he wasn’t allowed to train until today.

The delay meant Medran had to sit out of the Fire’s 2-1 preseason win over NYCFC over the weekend, but he should be ready to play this Saturday, when Chicago takes on the Philadelphia Union in another tune up match at the Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex (2:00 p.m. CT). The Fire have yet to announce whether Saturday’s match will be streamed.

Remaining Fire Preseason Schedule

March 20 – Chicago Fire FC vs. Philadelphia Union at Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex (2:00 p.m. CT)

March 27 – Chicago Fire FC vs. FC Cincinnati at Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate (10:30 a.m. CT)

April 3 – Chicago Fire FC vs. Orlando City SC at Exploria Stadium (10:30 a.m. CT) / Return to Chicago

Chicago matches - There may be two more preseason matches once the team gets back to Chicago. They sound likely, but nothing’s finalized yet.