Orange Legionnaire

Schwartz is just to the left of Corey Gibbs in the above picture, and in between the two players on the right picture.

Former Dutch Lions right back Evan Schwartz has joined the Chicago Fire in Ave Maria, Florida near Naples for the Fire's preseason training camp. Schwartz had a few options with the Colorado Rapids and Toronto F.C. as well, but eventually elected to go with the Chicago Fire after he was invited to their preseason training camp.

Appears to be a wise choice since the Fire are looking for young, talented players to fill the void of big names, and not just more big names to fill the holes left by the McBride's, Blanco's, Ljunjberg's, and Castillo's. Instead the Fire appear to be looking for less risk adverse talent (basically the opposite of Nery Castillo) as stated below by Fire Manager de los Cobos:

“I am very excited because we are trying to build a different team, if you compare to what we had last season. We have young players, players with different skills, the players are working hard and are trying to understand my concepts.”

A further quote in that Naples News article gleans the Fire are prescribing to a different formula for success than their big DP purchases in past years:

Gibbs is perhaps the best-known addition to the (Fire) that lost veterans Brian McBride and Freddie Ljungberg after last season. Rather than searching for big-name replacements, the club is hoping that players already on the roster can help fill the void those players left behind.

Schwartz, wasn't already on the Chicago Fire roster as of last season; But, Evan is well-known by the Chicago Fire as he played for the Chicago Fire Super 20's before heading over to play in Iceland.

Further, after returning from Iceland, Schwartz played against the Chicago Fire's PDL club twice, as he suited up for the Fire's PDL Great Lakes divisional rival, the Dayton Dutch Lions. This allowed the Fire to keep tabs on their former prospect who impressed in that tough PDL conference.

Now Schwartz's career, which began with the Fire's U-20's, looks to come full circle; as Schwartz has the chance to impress and win a spot on the Fire's senior MLS squad over the next few weeks.

Schwartz will look to impress in Florida during the Fire's two weeks of two-a-days, as well as in a match against Florida's Gulf Coast University this Thursday, and culminating with a doubleheader against the New York Red Bulls on February 23rd.

After Corey Gibbs speaks in the below video, you can also see Evan passing in the background:

Highlights from the Dutch Lions 2-1 victory over the Chicago Fire:

The Dayton Dutch Lions will play a crucial game tomorrow against the Chicago Fire at 7:30 p.m. in the Lions den (Bellbrook's Miami Valley South Stadium). The game will be a six point swing, win and the Lions will only be two points back of the Chicago Fire, who currently are leading the Great Lakes Division; Lose and the Lions will be eight points back, with only 15 points left on their schedule. Thus, a loss tomorrow will make it nearly impossible for the Dutch Lions to win their Great Lakes Division. A win and the Dutch Lions will move into second place putting themselves in a position to be breathing down the necks of the Fire. The pressure is on.

The Chicago Fire come into this matchup on a three game winning streak and looking for a decisive fourth. The Fire most recently pulled off a big 1-0 win in Ontario against Forest City London and followed that up with a 5-0 drubbing of Toronto earlier this week.

The Dutch Lions have not been as lucky of late in league play with two ties in their last two league games, both 2-2 results against Cleveland and Cincinnati.

Tonight's game is Mascot Night and will feature Dayton Gems mascot Blade and the Dayton Fliers mascot Rudy. Those that get their hands on a Warriors Classic Tournament flier, with a $3 dollar discount in the flier, will receive $3 bucks off of tonight's game. Go Lions!

The sneaky Cincinnati Kings have given the Dayton Dutch Lions a bit of a gift by upsetting tonight the only other undefeated Great Lakes Division squad. The Kings surprised the Chicago Fire of the PDL with a 2-1 victory in Bridgeview, Illnois tonight. With the Kings victory the Dutch Lions are the only undefeated squad at the moment in the PDL Great Lakes Division. Therefore, the U.S. Open Cup spot for the Dutch Lions is only there for the Dutch Lions to win or lose.