Fire sign MLS veteran midfielder Nick Labrocca

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The Fire announced the signing of MLS free-agent midfielder Nick Labrocca on Wednesday.

Labrocca, 31, comes to the Fire with nine years of experience in the league. He last played with the Colorado Rapids from 2013 to 2015, which was his second stint with the club. Labrocca has also played with Toronto FC and the now defunct Chivas USA.

Labrocca is the 20th player under contract with the Fire, which does not count the three unsigned draft picks taken after the first round. He is the second oldest player on the Fire roster after recently re-signed Razvan Cocis. Michael Harrington, the other MLS free agent signing for the Fire this offseason, also came from Colorado. The contract is a one-year deal with a second-year option.

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“Nick’s experience, versatility and comfort on the ball make us a better team,” Fire general manager Nelson Rodríguez said in the team’s press release. “He also has a terrific work rate and will be an important role model within the locker room.”

As for where he will fit in with the Fire, Labrocca is a central midfielder, which means he will likely compete with Cocis and Michael Stephens most directly for playing time. Of course, that depends on how the Fire plan to line up tactically. In 2015, Labrocca made 13 appearances, six of which were starts, in MLS regular-season play for a Rapids team which had the second worst record in the league. He is likely more of a depth signing than an expected regular starter.

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