Will Wanchope-Blanco ignite the Fire?

As expected, the Chicago Fire have signed Costa Rican forward Paulo Wanchope to a one-year contract. The 31-year-old former Manchester City player joins Mexico international Cuauhtemoc Blanco, who scored in his Fire debut last Sunday. And the Fire are hoping that the two 30something strikers still have a little left in the tank for a run at the MLS Cup.

Wanchope and Blanco have both joined the team midseason, however, and have just 14 matches to dig the Fire out of the Eastern Conference cellar. Wanchope's one-year deal signals that Chicago still have hopes for this season despite a 4-8-4 record. But can their CONCACAF connection add some punch to a club that has scored the second fewest goals in MLS? (13)

Wanchope will be unveiled by the team on Friday and should be available to play Sunday's match at Toronto FC.

Wanchope to join Blanco at Fire

Costa Rican striker Paulo Wanchope is reportedly close to deal with MLS and the Chicago Fire. The 31-year-old played has played for five different clubs in the last four years. Most recently, he played in Japan for FC Tokyo, where he had three goals in eleven appearances.

Wanchope is the second on the list of all-time leading goalscorer in the history of Costa Rica, with 45 goals in 72 matches.

Paulo highlight reel from youtube:


Chicago might be timing these acquisitions just right, considering the age of Blanco and his potential partner Wanchope. With just 14 matches left, Chicago hope that they can pull off a late season surge into the playoffs. And I have to tell you, if I was an MLS head coach (and if this was 2002) I would be frightened by the Fire's CONCACAF connection.