Other signings included Brazilian midfielders Alex Monteiro de Lima from the Swiss side FC Wohlen, Alvaro Fernández from Seattle Sounders FC, forward Sherjill MacDonald from Beerschot AC of Belgium and veteran defender Arne Friedrich from VfL Wolfsburg. After two successive losses to the Union in May, and with veteran Arne Friedrich still on injured reserve, the Fire acquired their former centerback Bakary Soumaré from Philadelphia. Open tournament early that season, the Fire eventually compiled a 17-11-6 record, their best since 2000, messi argentina jersey 2024 and ranked as high as second in the Eastern Conference before ending the year in fourth place. One second was hardly enough time for the Soviets to inbound the ball, let along get off a shot.