Should Carlos Bocanegra Come Back to the Chicago Fire?

USMNT captain and former Fire defender Carlos Bocanegra is having difficulties earning playing time with his club team Stade Rennes in Frances Ligue 1. There are rumors of the former MLS Defender of the Year looking into loan options as to prepare for this summer's World Cup. French side St. Etienne has been considered an option for the national team stalwart, but they're have also been reports of MLS interest.

Bocanegra has been playing out of his natural central position in the defense at left back for Stade Rennes and St. Etienne would like employ him out left as well. I for one would like to see Bocanegra move to a team where he would get consistent first team minutes at center back.

I'm not sure if the Fire still own his rights in MLS, but I for one would love to see Boca back in a Fire uniform. If the money could be worked out in way that would work for both parties I think it could be a great situation for the 31-year-old defender where he could earn consistent playing time in a city he's comfortable playing in, playing in the position he would play for the US in next summer's World Cup. There isn't another US central defender who's earning playing time in top four league outside of injured Oguchi Onyweu in the world so his spot in the starting lineup wouldn't be severely threatened.

A partnership between Bocanegra and William Conde would likely be one of the best in the league giving the Fire a real shot at making it to MLS Cup after coming up short in 2009. Who knows if Boca is actually open to a MLS return, but if that's the case i hope that Frank Kloppas and Carlos De Los Cobos do everything in their power to bring the proven defender back to the club where he won the Rookie of the Year Award in 2000.