Jata Still Fighting for a Spot (Unofficial Signing)

Today the Fire arrived in Arizona for the final leg of their preseason. They will train tomorrow morning at 10am, but I'm not sure if they are still doing two-a-days. Lately, there have been talks about another signing, but nothing is official yet. I will go through the draft picks, cuts and new signings one by one to let everyone out there know where Chicago stands with regards to its roster.

As most of you already know, Stefan Dimitrov has officially signed a Senior contract with the Chicago Fire. According to the roster listed on their website, that leaves two spots left to fill.

Richard Jata

• Traveled with the team to Arizona
• Appears in Rookie Life: Diary of a Draft Pick
• Still hasn't signed a contract

Jata has been making a name for himself ever since he arrived on the scene. His SuperDraft Speech will have a special place in history and it doesn't stop there. He's been one of just eight rookies selected to take part in Rookie Life: Diary of a Draft Pick, which focuses on each players' first season with their respectable squad. Every other player in this MLS Special has already signed a contract. With Jata being one of the last players selected at the draft, it's not unlikely that he'll be one of the last players to sign.

Austin Washington

• Traveled with the team to Arizona
• Unofficially signed a Senior Developmental Contract

Washington seems to be doing all the right things in camp because it looks as if he'll be sticking around for another year. He has a great attitude and a good work ethic, but if the Fire have already spent two years developing him, what's the point in keeping him around. On the other hand, with a few aging defenders and others looking to Europe, he might be more useful than we think.

Andrew Dykstra

• Traveled with the team to Arizona
• GK Pool is an option - Still in the works
• Still hasn't signed a contract

With Busch possibly missing some games due to U.S. Men's National Team duties, the Fire might see it necessary to keep him as their third keeper. If Busch doesn't expect to miss time and if the goal keeper pool is legit, look for Chicago to let Dykstra go.

Tim Ward

• Traveled with the team to Arizona
• Unofficially signed a Senior Contract

A young kid with a lot of experience. He's been playing with both the first and second team, but he looks like a solid lock to sign a Senior Contract this year. Look for money and contract negotiations to make or break this deal.

David Sias

• Did not travel with the team to Arizona
• Unofficially released by the Chicago Fire

Injuries bothered David for the first half of the preseason and things haven't gotten any better. Trained with the team in California, but he never really had a chance in the first place.

Roland Paul Bebey Kingue

• Did not travel with the team to California or Arizona
• Released by the Chicago Fire

Showed promise early on in the Fire preseason, but contract negotiations may have sent him packing. I personally feel that he is too small for the MLS, but he sure can run a lot. Being offered a developmental contract may have pushed him away.

Jokull Elisabetrason

• Did not travel with the team to California or Arizona
• Released by the Chicago Fire

Also plagued with injuries for most of the preseason. Never really got to improve his stock from the combine. Good with the ball, but the Fire just couldn't see him in their future plans.

Calen Carr

• Did not travel with the team to Arizona
• Continuing treatment on his leg in Chicago
• Currently on the Disabled List

Now this is a hard one. Injury plagued year, plus he'll be out for at least another few months. He's on the DL, but I'm really not sure what that means. Will the Fire get to add an extra player by keeping him on the Disabled List?

Peter Lowry

• Did not travel with the team to California or Arizona
• Getting treatment in Chicago for an injury
  

From what I heard, Peter Lowry is not in the clear just yet. If the Fire decide to sign Andrew Dykstra and they don't want to let Jata go, look for Lowry to be on the chopping block.

"Guest Player"

• Did not travel with the team to Arizona
• Played for the University of Redlands (California)
• Played with Ross Schunk - 47th Draft Pick (Colorado)
  

Stay tuned for more updates on Richard Jata and the Chicago Fire...