You have to figure if anyone can handle the ups and downs of professional sports, it's someone who has dealt with the ups and downs of life since he was a kid in war-torn Bosnia.

If anyone can make adjustments to the fickle nature of pro soccer, Fire rookie midfielder Baggio Husidic would seem to be a good candidate.

It took a while for Husidic to find his way to the playing field for an MLS game, and after a string of late-season games when he could do nothing but watch, Husidic again found himself called upon as a substitute last Friday in Los Angeles.

"(Fire coach Denis Hamlett) says I did well when I was on the rise, then I kind of hit a wall," Husidic said after practice Tuesday. "I'm trying to get over that wall right now. Hopefully, I am. Hopefully, I'll be seeing more playing time."

He has played eight games now, starting three, compiling 1 assist. Despite the setback he's a different player than the youngster the Fire drafted in the second round last February.

"I'm not nervous anymore during games and that sort of stuff, which I was in the beginning of the season, and that sort of shows that I've matured as a player," Husidic said. "I'm feeling pretty confident."

Like most rookies, he has found the speed of the game to be an adjustment, as is the pro atmosphere in general.

"It's a lot different from being the best player on your college team to coming here and just being an average player and working up for your position just to make the 18 squad (of players available for selection in each game), and the 18 squad trying to get some playing time."

Husidic, 22, already has come a long way in life. Born in Velika KladuŠa, Bosnia, he lived there until the civil war started in 1994, when his family went to refugee camps and government housing in Germany for almost four years. Then the German government decided it was time for the refugees to move on.

"We couldn't really go back because our house got destroyed in the war, so we didn't really have a choice," Husidic said. "Somehow we got a visa to the U.S."

They landed in government housing in the Chicago area for a few months.

"Then my parents got jobs and started slowly moving up the ladder," he said.

Soon the family moved to Libertyville, where Husidic found a home, as well as a home for his game. He starred at Libertyville High School, played club ball with the Sockers, then earned a scholarship to UIC.

Professional soccer always was in the back of his mind.

"That was my goal my whole life," he said. "I had a trip two years ago to Holland, where we played pro teams there, and I did really well. That's kind of where I realized I could play pro."

And now that he's here, Husidic is in no hurry to leave.

"Personally, I'd like to stay in Chicago for a long time. I love it here," Husidic said. "My first year I'm just trying to get better, get as much playing time as I can. Hopefully, my second year I can fight for a starting spot. If not, come off the bench every game."

Whatever happens, he'll adjust.

Free kicks: The Fire is inviting fans to Toyota Park on Thursday night to celebrate the team's 12th anniversary. There will be food, music, a chance to mingle with players and staffers and other activities. Tickets are $15 in advance at section8chicago.com, $20 at the door, with proceeds going to benefit Section 8. - The U.S. national team will complete 2010 World Cup qualifying Saturday night at Honduras, followed by Costa Rica on Oct. 14 in Washington, D.C. The Honduras game will be broadcast only on closed-circuit TV, but the Costa Rica game is on ESPN2 and Galavision. The United States can qualify Saturday by matching the number of points Costa Rica earns against Trinidad and Tobago.

oschwarz@dailyherald.com