Chicago Fire midfielder Cuauhtemoc Blanco is not expected to play a full 90 minutes for Chicago against FC Dallas in their opener. Head Coach Denis Hamlett told his club's official website: "He had an issue, some swelling in his knee the first part of the preseason. He slowly got back into it in Mexico but was in and out. In L.A., he was able to play and train every day, got himself two 90-minute games against the college teams and two reserve roles against Chivas and L.A. (Galaxy).

"We feel he is moving the right direction," Hamlett said. "Is he ready to play 90 minutes at the MLS level? I'm not quite sure yet. We have to be smart with him and push him the right way to get him up to speed."