All is going according to plan in center back Arne Friedrich's recovery from a strained hamstring he suffered in the Fire's 2-1 win over Sporting Kansas City on May 12 at Toyota Park.
Friedrich has been doing his rehab inside, primarily using a stationary bike. The plan is for him to begin running on Monday. He appeared to be walking fine when he spoke to the Sun-Times at Toyota Park Thursday.
The lone goal the Fire allowed FC Dallas in their 2-1 win Wednesday at Toyota Park came on a set piece.
That's become an area of concern for the Fire which is missing center back Arne Friedrich who is recovering from a strained hamstring.
In what has become somewhat of a trend this season, the Fire gave up the first goal of an eventual 2-1 win over FC Dallas at Toyota Park Wednesday night.
While after the game head coach Frank Klopas praised his team's resiliency, he did acknowledge that it is something that he has discussed with his team.
Fire striker Chris Rolfe, who has been nursing an sprained left ankle, could see action as early as Saturday in Columbus according to head coach Frank Klopas.
Rolfe injured his ankle is only his second training session after rejoining the club on April 16. Tuesday he was on the training field with the team for the first time since injuring the ankle.
The Fire will see its first Open Cup action when it takes on the Michigan Bucks at Ultimate Soccer Arenas in Pontiac, Mich. on May 29.
By rule, all MLS teams are given a bye to the third round of the tournament. The Bucks reached this point with a second-round win Pittsburgh Riverhounds and first-round victory over the Jersey Shore Boca.
Fire center back Arne Friedrich is expected to miss three to four weeks with a Grade II strain of his right hamstring, suffered in the club's 2-1 win over Sporting Kansas City at Toyota Park on Saturday.
Fire center back Arne Friedrich has been diagnosed with a Grade II right hamstring strain after undergoing an MRI on Monday.
Friedrich, who signed with the Fire during training camp, attempted to strike the ball while battling the wet turf in the 29th minute of the Fire's 2-1 win over Sporting Kansas City at Toyota Park Saturday. He immediately grabbed his leg and was taken off the field.
Fire striker Patrick Nyarko will gear to protect his ribs in Friday's training session. Nyarko was hit in the ribs during the Fire's 0-0 draw with Real Salt Lake at Toyota Park Wednesday.
During that game Nyarko also twisted his ankle and felt tightness in a groin that has bothered him for some weeks. The ribs, however, were the biggest concern for Nyarko who said that he was breathing normally on Thursday.
Forward Patrick Nyarko and outside back Dan Gargan left Wednesday's 0-0 draw with Real Salt Lake at Toyota Park due to injuries.
Gargan left in the 51st minute after spraining his left foot. Nyarko left the game in the 60th minute nursing rib, ankle and groin injuries.
Fire head coach Frank Klopas and centerback Jalil Anibaba will not appeal suspensions that will keep them out of Friday's game against Chivas USA at the Home Depot Center.
