May 15, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Fire FC midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri (10) looks on during the first half against Charlotte FC at Soldier Field. Photo: Melissa Tamez/USA TODAY Sports

Xherdan Shaqiri Back in Training with Chicago Fire, Won't Feature vs. Toluca in Leagues Cup

Originally posted on On Tap Sports Net | By Joe Chatz | Last updated Jul 31, 2024 7:15 PM ET

A familiar face was spotted at Chicago Fire training on Wednesday ahead of their Leagues Cup match against Liga MX side Toluca.

Xherdan Shaqiri was finally back with the Fire after leaving the club in June to prepare for EURO 2024 with Switzerland, which ended up being his final international tournament. Rumors and questions about his future followed him throughout the EUROs, leading many to believe he'd never return to the Fire despite being under contract through the rest of the 2024 MLS season.

Frank Klopas welcomed Shaqiri back to the club but said in his pre-match media availability that his Swiss Designated Player wouldn't suit up against Toluca and neither would Allan Arigoni or Hugo Cuypers.

The Fire are expecting reinforcements, however, after they were severely short-handed against Sporting Kansas City over the weekend. Klopas is thrilled to be getting his roster back healthy before the final portion of the MLS season.

“The good thing is we're getting some guys back healthy or available for tomorrow but not [Shaqiri, Arigoni or Cuypers],” said Klopas. “And the important thing is to have everybody whenever our run ends, hopefully all the way to the finals of the Leagues Cup, to have everyone 100% ready to go for that final push because we will need everyone and I think that's our main focus right now.”

The Fire have a tough test in front of them on Thursday in Bridgeview as they stare elimination in the face having lost their Leagues Cup opener 2-1 to Sporting Kansas City. Liga MX club Toluca have yet to debut in the 2024 Leagues Cup but enter the tournament with heaps of expectations. Kellyn Acosta is embracing the must-win nature of this match.

“This is what we train for,” said Acosta. “For us, we train for big moments. This is a big moment for us. Just by reinforcing that, I think the guys are excited. We’re ready. We’re playing against a team from Liga MX that we’re not necessarily familiar with that’s done well.”

Toluca’s head coach Renato Paiva expects the Fire’s counterattack to be ever-present when the two sides finally play at SeatGeek Stadium. Toluca should have a relatively full squad when things kick off on Thursday night.