BRIDGEVIEW, Ill -- The Chicago Fire will be without Arne Friedrich for at least a few more weeks with news Monday morning that the veteran German defender has flown to Berlin to seek treatment for a hamstring strain that flared up at the tail end of preseason.
Friedrich departed for Germany Sunday night to begin treatment with therapist Thomas Fennewald, who has previously worked with the defender over the course of his professional career.
“Thomas has been my therapist for the last 10 years and he’s the most talented guy,” Friedrich told Chicago-Fire.com Sunday night. “For me it’s the best way to get back as soon as possible and he’s the best therapist I’ve ever seen.”
Friedrich was given extra time off at the start of preseason but joined the team in good form in Ventura, Calif., at the beginning of February. After successful preseason outings in California and the beginning of the Carolina Challenge Cup, Friedrich was held out of the team’s preseason finale due to a hamstring injury.
The injury has caused him to miss the team’s first two matches of the MLS season and the back line anchor admits it’s been hard for him to be just a bystander in the team’s two defeats.
“Of course it’s not easy especially when the team isn’t winning. It’s a worse situation to watch from the stands and not be able to do anything. This is the game though and we have plenty of time to make the playoffs and this is one of the biggest targets of the season.”
Friedrich is expected to remain in Germany working with Fennewald for a maximum of two weeks before returning to Chicago.
“I’m preparing myself to get back as soon as possible. I’m just trying to help the team however I can. I’d like to play but it’s not going to happen now.”
