Fire deals Jim Curtin to Chivas USA

The Chicago Fire has dealt veteran central defender Jim Curtin to Chivas USA for conditional draft picks, team sources confirmed on Monday.

A seven-year veteran of the Fire, Curtin missed a large part of the 2007 season with a broken foot but he is expected to join Chivas USA and give the Goats a veteran back-up to central defenders Claudio Suarez and Shavar Thomas.

Curtin played 151 games for the Fire after being drafted out of Villanova in 2001, but played in just 22 games over the past two seasons due to injuries and a loss of form.

Chicago is not done wheeling and deal. The Fire is also expected to trade for a forward in a deal that should be announced shortly.

What do you think of the deal? Sad to see Curtin leave Chicago? Happy to see him joining Chivas USA? Share your thoughts below.

Comments

[Scott A]

I don´t profess to be an expert as I´ve only seen him play in maybe two games...but each time I see him I´ve been pretty shocked by his calamitous defending.

[Mike]

Are they trading back for Andy Herron?

[Scott Dunham]

Ha! I just now posted in the other thread that I would guess it to be Vanney, Mendes, Curtin, or Tyrone Marshall. Ives sure is fast with these things!

[giuseppe]

Curtin is a pretty good defender, he's not the best but when he is out there he does throw himself about with complete disregard to try and cover his opponent, and he's pretty big so he has a lot to throw around. I wouldn't mind the trade if it seemed like we were really getting something back in return

[Scott Dunham]

I'll take a wild guess on the forward and say Gordon or Buddle.

[kebzach]

Razov!!!

[mike ruze]

That's highway robbery!! Did the Fire actaully get anything? Supp draft pick? Should have asked for some soccer balls and cones instead.

Was OK in his youth but makes molasses look like greased lightning.

[mike ruze]

My guess on the forward is Ante Razov.

[rw]

I can see him having a big bounce back year at Chivas, if his foot and shoulder are healed. Similar to Razov and Marsch heading west when many thought they were pretty much washed up. Good pick-up.

[guillermo]

As a Fire supporter, I am sad to see Curtin go because he was a nice guy, but I am also happy to clear up $120k worth of cap space.

Curtin will be a decent back-up for Chivas, he is big but too slow for today's MLS.

Can't wait to see who the forward is....

[Beto]

I'm ok with us sending him off, he's very very slooooow. His lack of pace cost us quite a few times early last year.

[KingSnake]

First Eskandarian, now Curtin. Yippee ...

[Ives]

I believe the conditions could turn this deal into multiple picks in 2009 and 2010, with a second-round pick being the highest possible pick.

[giuseppe]

Ives,
what's the order for the supplemental draft picks? or is there somewhere we can find it

[Scott Dunham]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_MLS_Supplemental_Draft

[G]

Ives, are you saying another deal for a forward is in talks with Chivas USA or another team?

[Joe Ginto]

I'm with you, Mike. If the Fire got anything for Curtin I'll turn cartwheels. He was never quick, but injuries have slowed him down considerably. He does still throw his body around, when he can actually find his way onto the pitch, but he does so aimlessly.

He's had a good career and maybe he can reserrect it with Chivas. THere certainly was no opportunity to do that with the Fire. $120K off the books is fantastic.

[Pablo Chicago]

Personally, I'm sorry to see Jimmy go. He was one of the most approachable members of the squad who took time to take photos with my kids, and took time again when I screwed up the shot.

I hope he regains his pre-injury form. He seems to play his best against the Galadies, which may have something to do with the Goats'decision.

[Adam]

So long squirrely!

[BK]

Anyone hear that Babayaro might be signed by the Galaxy? What the hell is going on with the MLS and these LA rules? I think at some point the fans are going to have to have an uprising...

[Scott A]

I feel bad for speaking poorly of a player who seems really nice haha. Oh well, good luck in LA.

[KingSnake]

"What the hell is going on with the MLS and these LA rules?"

Three words: Garber, photos and goats.

[Gilly73]

Sad to see Curtain go, he played his arse off while with the FIRE, however we have so much $$$ now a big time forward has got to be signed anyday now!

To Chivas fans, Jimmy will help your back line, he will not hesitate to challenge an attacker and usually wins the challenge. He also wins lots of balls in the air. The only knock is lack of pace and he has been injury prone the last 2 years. He does have suprisingly good ball handeling skill. This deal should work out well for both teams.

[EastLAChiva]

As long as he won't hesitate to kick Beckham in the ribs. The last guy we got from you guys to do that almost became your coach.

Thank you for another Fire player. I think we're up to 3.

[ScoofyFireFan]

Agreed all around. Curtin is a great guy, but probably not worth 120K to the fire, who are pretty strong at central defense this year with Conde and Brown. We do need some good up-and-coming talent at that postition though since Brown probably only has 1-2 years left and Conde will probably be in Europe before too long, but Curtin isn't it. Hopefully he will do well in LA.
Now with our huge amounts of cap space (that's 160K for Guererro, 225K for Armas, 240K for Wanchope, and 120K for curtin = 745K) we should have plenty of space for some quality guys. Or hey, that's almost 2 DPs :)

[Jolietfan]

As a long time fan I am sorry to see Jimmy go...but I must admit that at the end of the last season or two I've turned to my son and said, "Say good-bye to Curtin. He's gone next year." He lasted longer than I thought he would. He gave us his best and I wish him well.

[curtin fanatic]

Sorry to see Jim go.....my gut feels that this is his bounce back year. The Fire will not be the same...Jimmy gave the team heart. He always had time for the fans, especially the kids. Curtin has never lost his boyish enthusiasm for the game and Chicago is missing out on his winning year.