Lubos Kubik saw his first action for the Fire on Sunday since a brief stint on Aug. 6. He hopes it’s not his last.
Kubik reinjured his sprained left knee in that August match against the MetroStars and had been sidelined until the 83rd minute, when he replaced captain Peter Nowak in the Fire midfield. Kubik has played in a playmaking midfield role before in his career and appeared sharp despite the long layoff. He immediately was involved in a play that led to a scoring chance for Dema Kovalenko.
“I tried to make some plays to get a goal,” Kubik said, “but we couldn’t score. That was the problem.”
Kubik’s contract expires at the end of the season. Before the season, it appeared that this would be Kubik’s last. But early on Kubik expressed a desire to play next year. He said he discussed it with Fire General Manager Peter Wilt early in the season and hasn’t heard anything since.
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“I want to come back, that’s what I told [Wilt] five months ago,” Kubik said. “He always said to wait and wait. I don’t know. I’m a little upset.”
Wilt said there are issues regarding the salary cap, raises for some other Fire players and how many foreign players will be allowed next season before he can talk with Kubik about a new contract.
“Lubos is a talented player and has more good soccer in him,” Wilt said. “He’s been a great contributor to the Fire in the past, and I would like to have him contribute in the future.”
Three and out: Three forwards on the Wizards’ MLS Cup championship team announced their retirement after the team’s victory over the Fire. They are Alex Bunbury, who was out with an injury; Mo Johnston, a 21-year soccer veteran who Sunday got his first championship award outside Scotland; and game-winning goal scorer Molnar. Roadies: The MLS Cup title game featured two teams and their fans who did some long-distance traveling. Call the Fire vs. Wizards the “Midwestern Matchup.” Or in the case of the fans coming from two cities half-a-country away, perhaps the Midwestern Mapfinders.
Among those who made overnight drives here from Chicago were 53 predominantly Polish-American “Ultras” in a tour bus group.
“We’ve been supporters since the Fire came to Chicago,” said Marcin Tlustochowicz, who organized the trip. “This is our fifth road trip with the team this year.”
Tom Hartless, who drove to Washington from Bloomington, Ill., said, “I’ve missed a few games, but only when they were on week nights.” He carried his soccer sentiment on a homemade placard that read, “Who needs the NFL? We have Fire.”
Class exit: As the Wizards were celebrating their victory on a platform in the center of the field, Fire forward Hristo Stoitchkov led a few of his teammates across the field to acknowledge the support of loyal Fire fans, hundreds of whom filled a section of box seats near the field and often were the loudest in the crowd, which was officially announced as 39,159.