New Chicago Fire coach, Mexican Carlos de los Cobos, impressed his players when he knew everyone's name upon his first meeting with them. "He wasn't wasting any time. He hit the ground running. He had obviously studied our games from the previous season," veteran midfielder John Thorrington said after a training session in Arizona. "For a fresh face to come in and know everybody's name, I thought that was really cool. Communication is key."

Chicago technical director Frank Klopas described de los Cobos' approach: "It's more of a tactical organization. The big emphasis, right from the beginning, is about moving the ball quicker and being able to maintain possession of the ball. Once you do that, you are in control of the game."

Veteran Brian McBride said, "There will be new formations. I think you will see a lot more opportunities for midfielders to get goals and to get in the box. The training as been organized for a whole different type of play -- making sure we are moving the ball and keeping possession. They've been very hands-on in communicating what they want from us. It's a change. For the players, it's about grasping new ideas. So far, so good."