From mlsnet.com: 'FIRE CAPTAIN HAS NEW NAME Although he is still working with the club as its Soccer and Business Advisor and Director of International Relations, the end of Peter Nowak’s tenure as a Chicago Fire player left a vacancy for the captain’s role which has already been assigned. Midfielder Chris Armas, who tore the ACL in his right knee in a World Cup tune-up match last May just weeks before the event, will don the captain’s armband in 2003 and his teammates are waiting for his return. “He’s looking great in training,” said DaMarcus Beasley. “He’s not at full game speed yet but he’s going hard twice, three times a day (practices) to get his knee ready. Once we get our captain back I think we’ll be fine. Chris is a great leader and I think he is what we were missing on the field last year.” “It’s been a long 10 months for me,” Armas said. “When you’re on the sideline it’s no fun. I worked hard and I’m looking forward to the season more than anyone can know. I’m there - I’m practicing, and playing full out. As far as playing in games right now I’m working my way up, building up the minutes. But the knee feels great and I’m very excited to be back again.” It has been almost a year since his last official match for the Fire on April 20, 2002 in a 2-0 road win against the MetroStars. But Armas is looking forward to 2003 not only for his return to the playing fields but because he believes the team assembled by new Head Coach Dave Sarachan is better than many expect. “I am pleasantly surprised to see how well the team is coming together,” he said. “We have a lot of new faces but we’ve jelled and come together quickly. Although there have been a lot of changes we’ve really done well and we’re off to a great start. We’re in good shape." His return to MLS fields should also coincide with a U.S. National Team comeback and a chance to erase the memory of that fateful day at RFK Stadium last May. “I was hoping for the Japan game (March 29 in Seattle),” Armas said. “I intend to speak to Bruce (Arena) while I’m down here but he seems to be in a position that he wants to give me every opportunity in the near future.”' read entire article: http://www.mlsnet.com/content/03/datastore/st0307notes.html