Fire brings back three midfielders

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AVE MARIA, FL.The Fire opened preseason training Monday at Ave Maria University with some notable off-the-field developments.
The club announced that it has brought back three midfielders from last years team and also gained an international roster spot. The latter materialized when Arne Friedrich, the German defender who played so well in his first Major League Soccer season in 2012, obtained his green card.
The green card means the clubs Defender-of-the-Year wont be counted among the international slots. Those will go to Brazilian medfielder Alex, Italian goalkeeper Paolo Tornaghi and Dutch striker Sherjill MacDonald.
Friedrich let it be known that he wanted to return to the Fire immediately after last season ended and the club was quick to make that possible. Not only did Friedrich speed the development of eventual MLS Rookie-of-the-Year Austin Berry, he also helped make the Fire one of the best defensive teams in the circuit. The Fire allowed 41 goals in 34 matches, second-best in the Eastern Conference.
Alex was among the midfielders brought back by the club. The Fire picked up the option year on Alex and Mike Videira, who will enter his fourth MLS season and third with the Fire. The Fire also re-signed Corben Bone, the clubs first-round draft choice (13th overall) in 2010. Bone had earlier entered the re-entry draft, but withdrew his name from consideration at the last minute in anticipation of returning to the Fire.
None of the midfield trio has played all that much. Videira made seven starts in 12 matches for the Fire over his two campaigns and Bone played in 17 matches in three seasons.
Alex, who joined the Fire from Swiss club Wohlen FC, was a late-season starter after Sebastian Grazzini returned to Argentina. Alex had two goals in 17 appearances.
HERE AND THERE:The Fire will add to its training camp roster on Tuesday in the MLS supplemental draft. The Fire has the 30th, 49th and 68th selections.
-- Coach Frank Klopas and forward Patrick Nyarko have been named among the honorees at the 15th annual CSN Awards dinner on Jan. 24 at the Chicago Hilton & Towers.
-- At least one more player wont return to the club this season. The club decided not to bring back Mexican forward Guillermo Franco, a late season acquisition in 2012. The veteran played in three matches, for a combined 43 minutes, during the stretch run but made little impact.

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