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.
The team will know how much time the 32-year old Friedrich is expected to miss when they return to training on Wednesday.
The Fire, which already lost veteran center back Cory Gibbs to a knee injury that could keep him out for the season, will depend on a pair of younger, inexperienced center backs while Friedrich recovers . Rookie Austin Berry and 23-year old Jalil Anibaba will be slotted in the middle of the Fire's defense.
Friedrich was an integral part of Fire coach Frank Klopas' scheme both offensively and defensively. A veteran of two World Cups, the German national was brought in for his organizational skills in the back and to be a go-to target on set pieces.
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