Fire introduce Mexican international Castillo who is expected to make MLS debut Sunday against Galaxy

Troubled team, troubled player: New Chicago Fire designated player Nery Castillo, left, talks with head coach Carlos de los Cobos in training today after his introduction to the media (AP Photo).

The underperforming Chicago fire are a mediocre 4-5-5.

Once promising Mexican Nery Castillo, 26, who failed to make his nation's World Cup squad, his career derailed by injuries and other issues, joined his fourth team in five years today on a year-long loan from Shakhtar Donetsk of the Ukraine.

And the Galaxy are likely to face both at 4:30 p.m. Sunday at Home Depot Center.

Castillo will wear the coveted No. 10 shirt, so it's immediately apparent what's expected of him.

"Castillo is a player who will have an immediate impact on our team," said Fire Coach Carlos de los Cobos. "A player of his caliber should help us as we work to win games, gain points and fight for a playoff spot."

He should do that, whether he will is another matter; the Fire are making some badly-needed midseason changes and need help.

But Castillo has well-documented attitude issues - he once insisted upon taking a penalty, promptly missed and was immediately subbed out, for instance - and has consistently disappointed with his performances in recent seasons.

From the Fire press release:

Castillo joins the Fire after spending eight seasons with FC Olympiakos where he tallied 30 goals in 105 appearances leading the team to four Greek Super League Championships (02/03, 04/05, 05/06 and 06/07) and two Greek Cups (2005 and 2006.) Following his departure from the Greek side, Castillo spent time with Ukrainian clubs Shakhtar Donetsk and FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk, in addition to English Premier League club Manchester City.