With a returning midfield that already consisted of the likes of Harry Shipp, David Accam, Matt Polster and Michael Stephens, the Chicago Fire added to that group’s in-house experience when it announced the re-signing of Razvan Cocis just prior to the start of preseason.
For the 32-year-old Romanian, the outcome was the one he wanted all along.
“That was the first option,” Cocis said of his return to the Fire. “In a meeting after the season with Nelson [Rodríguez], I told him my first option is to be back.”
The Chicago Fire roster to which Cocis returned looks considerably different than the one that concluded the 2015 season, and the early returns in camp have him excited for what’s to come.
“I like [head coach Veljko Paunovic’s] mind, I like what he said especially today, the things that he wanted us to play,” Cocis said. “I already understand that he wants to keep the ball, he wants to keep the possession and create chances, so this is great.”
After a preseason foot injury slowed his preparations for the 2015 campaign, Cocis returned to match action in early May and became a reliable presence in a central midfield role, making 22 regular season starts. A winner of 50 caps for the Romanian national team, the midfielder donned the captain’s armband on several occasions for the Men In Red last season and figures to assume a healthy share of leadership duties within a young 2016 Fire squad.
WATCH: McLain on Signing with Chicago
“I’ll definitely try to help, talk to the guys, if I feel like I have to say something to one young guy I can do that,” Cocis said. “It is a young team and this can be a good thing for us -- enthusiasm, passion, everyone wants to show that he’s a good player. It’s going to be a battle for each place in the team.”
Cocis spent time training in Romania during the offseason and is optimistic about his prospects for the upcoming campaign.
“Every player had his own fault for the performance of last season,” he said. “I want to improve concentration and stamina, everything really. I think with a new staff every player can improve.”
