The Fire added midfield depth and scoring potential Friday with the acquisition of versatile midfielder Joel Lindpere from the New York Red Bulls.
Lindpere, 31, a native of Tallinn, Estonia, joins the team as it prepares to open 2013 training this month. The Fire gave up a 2013 international roster spot in compensation, but other terms were not disclosed.
"Joel is a versatile, dependable player that has proven himself in MLS," Fire President Javier Leon said in a statement.
Lindpere, who has made 74 appearances with the Estonian national team, played the last three seasons with the Red Bulls. He had 15 goals and 18 assists in 97 appearances, including 89 starts.
In 2012, he played in all 34 games and was the third leading scorer behind Kenny Cooper and Thierry Henry with five goals and five assists.
He also has played professionally in Bulgaria, Estonia and Norway.
The Red Bulls' most valuable player in 2010, Lindpere scored the first goal ever at Red Bull Arena on March 20, 2010, against Santos. One week later, he got the arena's first Major League Soccer tally in a 1-0 season-opening victory over the Fire.
Gearing up: The Fire announced players will report Jan. 18 with two days of medical exams at Toyota Park before departing Jan. 20 for 2013 preseason training in Florida.
Exhibition games begin Jan. 27, and the Fire open the regular season on March 3 in Los Angeles against the Galaxy. Their first home game is March 9 against the Revolution.
Soccer Night: Fire forward Chris Rolfe is among more than 30 MLS players set to participate in a Soccer Night on Monday in Newtown, Conn., site of the recent shootings that claimed 26 lives at a local elementary school.
The event will be open to Newtown residents and local youth soccer players and offer a chance to meet players and participate in small side games. It will also feature appearances by U.S. national team stars Alexi Lalas, Cobi Jones and Mia Hamm.
Lindpere, 31, a native of Tallinn, Estonia, joins the team as it prepares to open 2013 training this month. The Fire gave up a 2013 international roster spot in compensation, but other terms were not disclosed.
"Joel is a versatile, dependable player that has proven himself in MLS," Fire President Javier Leon said in a statement.
Lindpere, who has made 74 appearances with the Estonian national team, played the last three seasons with the Red Bulls. He had 15 goals and 18 assists in 97 appearances, including 89 starts.
In 2012, he played in all 34 games and was the third leading scorer behind Kenny Cooper and Thierry Henry with five goals and five assists.
He also has played professionally in Bulgaria, Estonia and Norway.
The Red Bulls' most valuable player in 2010, Lindpere scored the first goal ever at Red Bull Arena on March 20, 2010, against Santos. One week later, he got the arena's first Major League Soccer tally in a 1-0 season-opening victory over the Fire.
Gearing up: The Fire announced players will report Jan. 18 with two days of medical exams at Toyota Park before departing Jan. 20 for 2013 preseason training in Florida.
Exhibition games begin Jan. 27, and the Fire open the regular season on March 3 in Los Angeles against the Galaxy. Their first home game is March 9 against the Revolution.
Soccer Night: Fire forward Chris Rolfe is among more than 30 MLS players set to participate in a Soccer Night on Monday in Newtown, Conn., site of the recent shootings that claimed 26 lives at a local elementary school.
The event will be open to Newtown residents and local youth soccer players and offer a chance to meet players and participate in small side games. It will also feature appearances by U.S. national team stars Alexi Lalas, Cobi Jones and Mia Hamm.
