Fire to sign Wanchope

Juan Carlos Osorio appears to have his first signing since taking over as Chicago Fire head coach.

The Chicago Tribune's Luis Arroyave is reporting that the Fire is set to sign Costa Rican forward Paulo Wanchope.

The move makes perfect sense. Wanchope and Osorio had a very close relationship when both were at Manchester City and Wanchope was looking for a club after ending his short stint in Japan. I actually mentioned Wanchope to Osorio as a player he could add soon when we spoke two weeks ago and he just laughed and agreed. I should have read the laugh as a tell that Wanchope was already in the works.

Wanchope has wanted to play in MLS for years and still has enough in the tank to be a servicable forward in MLS. I don't see him having the productivity of a Juan Pablo Angel but he will provide a boost for a Chicago attack that has been in need of forward help.

The Red Bulls were interested in adding Wanchope in the off-season but Wanchope chose to take a bigger payday in Japan. With his stint there over, the Costa Rican striker appears ready to step in and be Cuauhtemoc Blanco's top target man.

What do you think of this move? Is it enough to help the Fire make the playoffs? Is it too little, too late? Share your thoughts below.

Comments

[Dannyc58]

Very interesting. I think the last playoff spot is going to be a great race between LA, Colombus & now Chicago...

[Matt]

I think it's great. These are just the kinds of players that MLS should be signing. They have done such a great job with bringing in better quality this year. Plus, they must have been able to do it without using a DP which is great. It should make that fight for the last playoff spot a lot more fun.

[MADouble]

As a Fire fan I love this move. Watching the team this year it was obvious that with Rolfe out the attacking cupboard was bare. Barrett and Carr were given numerous opportunities with neither doing anything. This was even apparent on Sunday with multiple chances that Blanco set up being wasted.

The Fire can now throw some combination of Blanco, Wanchope, Mapp, Tiago, and Rolfe in the forward third of the field. Once everyone is healthy this team could definitely make a run.

[ag nigrin]

Too little too late for Chicago IMO!

[JesseMT]

Fire will be improved. This is shaping up to be a great, great second half of the season. Except for RSL, there's no team that doesn't have a shot at making the playoffs. Struggling Fire and Galaxy will both be improved by late additions.

And what's with Columbus playing so well? It's like Bizarro World from how most figured it back in March.

[Sean]

I don't understand the 'too little, too late' take. I mean, it's halfway through the season. Any team can get into the playoffs at this point. Hell, even RSL could get hot and get in.

I'm just sayin'.

Chicago certainly would look better with Blanco in the hole behind Wanchope and Rolfe, as opposed to, say, Thiago/Barrett/Carr. If the fluidity and creativity the team showed on Sunday wasn't a mirage, it's going to be a dogfight for the playoffs.

[Paul Lorinczi]

This is a good move for Chicago. Chicago are a much better club than they have been showing of late.

It will be interesting to see how Wanchope pairs with Rolfe, when he returns.

[Fuego Fanatico]

Wow - what a couple of weeks it's been! The wait for Blanco, the hiring of Osorio, new owners and now Wanchope!

[JC]

I don't understand how you can say "he's wanted to play in the MLS for years" and then go on to explain that he turned down an offer from NYRB to go play in the J-Leaugue. Doesn't sound like a guy that's wanted to play in the MLS for years.

I also think that getting released by a team in the J-League is a bit of a red flag. If he wasn't effective in the J-League or Qatar, I don't know how effective he'd be in the MLS.

He's played on 5 teams in the past 3 years, and played 66 games and scored 18 goals. I think injuries have really hampered his abilities.

I think even at 30, his best years might be behind him.

[Trex]

I think it is a little late. If I had to guess I'd say all the top 8 teams will hold onto their playoff spots, but it wouldn't be impossible for Chicago or LA to make things interesting. Especially with LA having 6 games in hand on some teams (Columbus).

[Joamiq]

Given that he failed to win a regular spot with Tokyo, I'm a little skeptical. Still, I guess it can't hurt to see what he has left. But it's probably not a great sign for MLS if he comes in and starts scoring goals here after being unable to figure into the Tokyo lineup.

[Tim]

I haven't seen Wanchope play in a while but assuming he has some of his magic left, this is good for the Fire and for MLS.

With this signing, how is Chicago remaining under the cap?

[Ives]

JC, just because he turned down the Red Bulls to go play in Japan doesn't mean A) he didn't want to play in MLS or B) that he hasn't wanted to play here for years. Not really sure how you figure that not to be the case simply because he turned down the Red Bulls. He approached me during a trip to Manchester City in 2003 and told me he wanted to play in MLS one day. He reiterated that during last summer's World Cup so that's how I can say it.

At the end of the day he went to Japan for half a season and probably made more money than he could over two seasons in MLS. Now he's coming to MLS. Sounds like a pretty smart business decision. Whether he has anything left remains to be seen.

[Brad]

Looks like Nery Castillo might be going to Man City or Chelski.

Also, read an article that Everton has joined the race for Adu. So now we have Benfica, Tottenham, Celtic, and Everton. Not really too bad of a list. I also read an article yesterday that the MLS is asking too much for Adu so Benfica might not pay that much, which could result in a bidding war and an EPL team might get him after all. Could be an interesting week or two.

[Braden]

I think Wanchope could turn out to be a great investment for the Fire. As he has aged, he's turned into more of a pure finisher rather than a striker/playmaker. I imagine he could easily have been stuck in the J-League with no service and left to languish. But, I think Osorio will know how to get the best out of him.

I fondly remember watching Wanchope play some truly memorable games at Man City (I was living in Manchester at the time). It should be great to see him play again!

Also, Brad, did you see the report on Fulham v. Portsmouth? It looks like Dempsey's being given a chance by Sanchez. He had the two best chances of the game.

Nice to see...

[Brad]

Braden,

That's funny that you mentioned that. I just posted it on the Caption of the Day. I really think Dempsey might be a starter for them this season. That will be outstanding to watch him grow on FSC. Thanks for the head's up.

[Collin]

Love the signing. I don't think it's too late for anyone at this point in the season.

Especially LA...are they EVER going to play a game??

[nico]

Great move. Regardless of age, Wanchope is quality on the field. Moreover, he can impart some of his experiences to younger MLS players. Very excited about this.

[AnewRevolution]

He's better than Angel no doubt and the pairing of him and Blanco will be even more instrumental to the success of both.

[Josh]

He is better than Angel based on what? Because I would be stunned if he came in and finished like Angel has. I don't think he has ever been the player Angel has been over their respective careers, and that is not to diminish Wanchope's skills. I am interested to see how this goes. Maybe he and Blanco can teach Barrett how to finish, and teach Carr some skill.

[Brad]

I really think these older players that are coming over here are going to teach our younger MLS players a whole lot. You're going to see the quality of play raise up b/c the likes of Beckham and Blanco don't want to come to a team that's going to play long balls from the goalie to the forwards 60% of the game. They'll hopefully teach them how to build an attack, a lot like Blanco did in the Chicago game against Celtic this weekend. I suppose this is just in theory, but let's hope it materializes. Wanchope would be a great addition. Anyone but Chad Barrett is great with me.

[stephen healy]

Boy I sure howpe he is half as good as Angel!! As an avid Fire fan this season has been tough.