It hasn't been quite the start to the 2018 season that Chicago Fire rookie defender Grant Lillard anticipated, but Tuesday may have marked a personal turning point for the 22-year-old.
After more than a month spent dealing with a left knee injury, Lillard returned to full training at Toyota Park ahead of the club’s visit from the Portland Timbers on Saturday (5 p.m. CT, MLS LIVE | TICKETS). Lillard had been sidelined following a 60-minute shift in the club’s preseason meeting with the Montreal Impact on Feb. 14.
Tuesday’s training session was a day shy of the six-week mark since that Valentine's Day friendly, and marked a welcome return to full team activities for the Indiana product.