By Adam Roy
Written for Ontheminute.com
And most MLS fans didn’t even realize that it was happening.
While football fans throughout the United States were focused on David Beckham’s lackluster debut for the Galaxy this weekend, a much quieter introduction was taking place. Former Mexican Premier League MVP Cuauhtemoc Blanco played his first game with the Chicago Fire in an exhibition match against Scottish giants Celtic at the Fire’s Toyota Park.
While Blanco has spent much less time in the spotlight than his British counterpart, he played on Sunday as if he felt that he had to make up for it. Blanco entertained the crowd from the opening whistle, using his unpredictable dribbles and his creative skill at the touch to frustrate Celtic’s fullbacks.
Blanco’s tactics paid off in the 30th minute when he outmanuvered a Celtic defender and slipped in behind a challenge from keeper Artur Boruc to slot in a clean goal and put Chicago on the board.
The forward’s creativity was not lost on his teammates.
“We saw a lot of his skills, his vision, his creativity,” Fire forward Calen Carr told the AP after the game. “He can open up a game for us. He can be a difference maker for us.”
The normally boisterous Blanco, however, was more reserved.
“I’ve always said I’m just another person on the team,” Blanco told the press. “I’m not God. I’m not superman.”
