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Fire’s Rodriguez Praises Vaudreuil, Roughnecks

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 05/24/17, 12:54PM EDT

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Success on loan of Calistri, Fernandez has benefited both clubs


Photo courtesy Lori Scholl / Tulsa Roughnecks FC

CHICAGO – Chicago Fire General Manager Nelson Rodriguez praised the Fire’s USL partner Tulsa Roughnecks FC and Head Coach David Vaudreuil in a roundtable with reporters on Tuesday afternoon that aired on the club’s Facebook page. Rodriguez noted the strong progress of the likes of loanees Joey Calistri and Collin Fernandez, and what they have helped Tulsa achieve this season getting the partnership between the two clubs off to a strong start.

“I think things with Tulsa have been fantastic,” said Rodriguez. “I think David Vaudreuil is a coach that we shouldn’t be surprised if one day we see him in Major League Soccer. I think the organization has treated us extraordinarily well. Our guys are having good experiences.”

Tulsa is an even 4-4-0 going into Wednesday night’s game with Reno 1868 FC at Greater Nevada Field (10:30 p.m. ET | Preview), and Calistri’s contributions have helped drive one of the more entertaining attacks in the USL this season. The 23-year-old Fire Homegrown signing is tied for the team high with four goals, and has also recorded one assist and created five other scoring chances.

“Joey Calistri is really doing well, is really playing well,” said Rodriguez. “I think this extended playing time is very good for him and he’s proving to be what he was in our Academy and what he was at Northwestern, which is a guy who finds a way to score goals and menace defenses.”


Photo courtesy Lori Scholl / Tulsa Roughnecks FC

Fellow Homegrown signing Fernandez has also seen regular playing time, and the manner in which the Roughnecks have utilized him in the center of midfield has been a point of interest for the Fire.

“They saw, and David Vaudreuil saw Collin in a way that we didn’t, so he’s played more as [a No. 8], which is something that we hadn’t considered,” said Rodriguez. “He’s done well, and so it’s made us rethink how we look at Collin. That’s been good.”

Rodriguez added the Roughnecks can expect to add another pair of players after the Fire’s game on Thursday night against FC Dallas, with midfielder Brandt Bronico and goalkeeper Stefan Cleveland set to head to Tulsa. Bronico has already made his debut for the Roughnecks, playing 90 minutes in Tulsa’s 4-0 victory against Orange County SC on May 13 alongside Fernandez in central midfield.

With the positive performances the Fire’s loanees have put in for the Roughnecks, Rodriguez has had his belief confirmed that the partnership will have a long-term benefit for both clubs.

“All it’s done is reaffirm if you have a good partner and have open dialogue, you don’t need your own USL team,” said Rodriguez. “We feel really good about what’s happening with the development of the players that we’ve sent down there.”

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