Quietly efficient yet wildly enthusiastic, Marco Pappa played a key part in the offense of the Chicago Fire in 2009. His role could increase in 2010 now that the club has acquired his services for the next three years.
The Fire announced Thursday that Major League Soccer exercised the option on the loan agreement with CSD Municipal in Guatemala and have acquired the rights to Pappa through the next three seasons.
"We are very excited to have such a young talent like Marco Pappa back with our club next season," Fire technical director Frank Klopas said. "He was a big contributor to the team in 2009 and has tremendous potential moving forward. He brings a lot of passion to the game and we look forward to having him remain with the Fire over the coming years."
Pappa, 22, played in all 30 MLS games this season, starting 28. He played on the left flank primarily, with the greatest concentration of his time on the attack.
He was third on the 2009 team in scoring with five goals (tied with Cuauhtemoc Blanco and behind Chris Rolfe and Brian McBride). He was also second on the team in assists with four (behind Blanco's eight).
"A year ago, when he came in, he showed a lot of promise, and this was a big year for him," Klopas said. "He had the work ethic and determination to get better every day. He understands that this is something you have to earn, not given to you."
With Blanco gone from the lineup after signing with Veracruz in the Mexican second division, and Rolfe signing with a team in Denmark, the Fire needed to solidify their midfield for 2010. Klopas said the team's yet unnamed new coach would have to determine if Pappa can help the team in the middle next season.
"Physically, he needs to get stronger, and he needs to develop some things in his game, and be better with his weak (right) foot," Klopas said. "He has to keep the defenders guessing."
Pappa was on the roster for all six of Guatemala's World Cup qualifiers in 2009, although his team did not advance to the World Cup finals.
With Pappa signed and options exercised on defender C.J. Brown and forward Brian McBride, Klopas said he had only a couple more players from the 2009 roster to work on -- forward Calen Carr and defender Gonzalo Segares, who has expressed an interest in finding a team in Europe to play for.
"We keep an eye on that, keep communications with him," Klopas said. "You never know what happens over there. I'm going to keep close tabs on that."
Klopas said his future talent search will be focused on finding a replacement for Rolfe on top.
Kent McDill is a contributor to MLSnet.com
