now if only ansil elcock was back in MLS it would be just like old times! 
Mexican icon Blanco to join Fire By Jason Halpin / MLSnet.com Staff
Mexican soccer legend Cuauhtemoc Blanco will put pen to paper Tuesday on a deal with the Chicago Fire, the club has announced.
The Fire said Blanco will be in Chicago on Monday and Tuesday for a pair of events. He'll be at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill., Monday at 7 p.m. CT to meet fans and sign autographs, and on Tuesday, he'll sign his contract with the Men in Red during the club's media luncheon at the Hilton Chicago at 10 a.m. CT.
Like David Beckham, who agreed to a five-year deal with the Los Angeles Galaxy in January, Blanco won't join his new club until the summer. His contract with his current team, Mexican powerhouse Club America, expires June 30, and Blanco will be eligible to join the Fire immediately thereafter.
Blanco will count as the Fire's designated player, meaning the first $400,000 of his contract will be paid by the league and its investors. The remainder will be paid for by the team and its investor-operator, AEG.
The 34-year-old is the third player to be signed under the designated player rule after Beckham and Claudio Reyna of the New York Red Bulls.
Blanco comes to the Fire after building his legend with the Mexican national team and with numerous teams in the Mexican Primera Division, most notably Club America. Blanco began his career with the Aguilas in 1990 at age 17 and in four separate stints with the club, he's scored 124 goals in 312 games. He has also played for Necaxa and Veracruz in Mexico and Real Valladolid in Spain.
For the Mexican national team, Blanco has made 95 appearances and scored 25 goals. Blanco appeared in the 1998 and 2002 World Cups for El Tricolor, but his brightest moment on the international stage was the 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup, when he scored a tournament-record nine goals to lead Mexico to the title.
Blanco receives hero's welcome By Raquel Ortiz / MLSnet.com Staff
A throng of fans came out to meet Cuauhtemoc Blanco Monday. (Brian Kersey/Chicago Fire)
BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- More than 5,000 people gathered at Toyota Park, home of the Chicago Fire, Monday to welcome the club's newest member, Mexican soccer idol Cuauhtemoc Blanco.
Most wearing the Club America jersey, the team for which Blanco still plays, and still many others wearing their Fire jerseys, the fans lined up outside the stadium from early afternoon waiting for the doors to open.
Two members of the Men in Red, captain Chris Armas and midfielder Diego Gutierrez, made Blanco's introduction to the adoring Fire faithful. The two presented Blanco with the jersey he will wear when he joins the team, the red home jersey with his number 10 on the back.
"We are very pleased to have such a talented player joining our team. This is a team that dreams of success and that hopefully will see those dreams comes true this season", said Gutierrez.
Greeted by non-stop chants, Blanco came onto the field and made his way to the improvised stage on the east side of the stadium, where he addressed the fans and media members.
"Thank you for such a warm welcome," said Blanco to the fans in the stands, among them entire families who held flags and posters of the Mexican idol. "I am very happy to be coming to Chicago. I will do my best and hope we will do well as a team and make it all the way to the final. I hope that we will give Chicago a championship and fulfill many dreams."
Blanco acknowledged the challenge he will face playing with the Fire.
"This is another challenge and I'm willing to do my best to make it a successful stay in this city," said the long-time Mexican international striker, who is hoping for a quick understanding with his new teammates.
"The first thing for the team to do is get to know each other," he said. "I hope that there will be a good understanding on the field and that it will be reflected on the scores."
After his brief comments, Blanco went to the crowd where he shook a large number of hands and signed autographs for some lucky fans. He left Toyota Park knowing the new stadium will soon be his home.
The thousands who witnessed the presentation of the new "Man in Red" left the stadium with high hopes for a good season, also looking forward to a special summer in Chicago during when they will chant for their idol.
The Fire will host a press conference Tuesday at a hotel in downtown Chicago during which they will make the official introducion of Blanco to the media.
