All eyes this week were on new Chicago Fire designated player Xherdan Shaqiri, but don’t expect the Swiss star to play today against Toronto FC in Austin, Texas (11 a.m CT, streaming live at ChicagoFireFC.com).
Shaqiri has yet to join up with his Fire teammates, as he’s working through the usual visa process. Today should, however, mark our first look at new centerback Rafael Czichos in Fire colors. Czichos joined early in January from FC Koln, but had to suffer through a four week visa delay before he could enter the U.S. The Fire are hopeful that was an isolated incident, and Shaqiri’s visa process will go smoothly.