Fire hopes competition at wing boosts team
When Joel Lindpere scored in the sixth minute of the Chicago Fire's 2-1 victory Saturday against Montreal, it was as if he was sending a simple message to the coaches: I want to play.
When Dilly Duka scored in the 23rd minute, he sent the same message: I deserve to play also.
With right midfielder Patrick Nyarko battling concussion symptoms, both Duka and Lindpere started against Montreal. When Nyarko returns to health, however, one of them probably will have to sit.
Juan Luis Anangono's signing brings more firepower to the Fire at forward. Arevalo Rios' addition will mean more depth at central midfield. But the competition for playing time is hottest on the wings.
“The team is doing well right now. When Patrick is healthy and ready he's a difference maker. But you never know,” said Fire coach Frank Klopas, enjoying the competition at the outside midfielder spots. “Patrick, Dilly and Joel, they all bring something different.”
Nyarko and Duka do best when they're going at a defender on the dribble. Lindpere is better at serving crosses from the wing, though he wouldn't mind another chance to show he can play in central midfield.
“When I'm fit my passing to my own teammates is good, and this is my quality. I try to do good service,” Lindpere said, “but also in the middle I can lead the game both ways. That's the position I love to play, and what can I do?”
Lindpere, an Estonian, is a veteran acquired in the off-season.
“The times that Joel has stepped in he has played very well for us. His ability to score and assist, he's a veteran guy and an experienced guy,” Klopas said.
Duka, a Rutgers product, is just 23 years old and full of potential that Klopas is trying to help him find. He also arrived in Chicago in the off-season.
“His ability he always had, but I know he can give a lot more. And he has to,” Klopas said of Duka.
“I'm just confident right now,” Duka added. “I'm feeling good about my game and the coaches want me to go forward and I'm doing it. ... I'm having some success going forward now. Overall the team is having success now and the chemistry is there, so it's just going to help with my game too.”
Nyarko, the Fire's 2008 No. 1 draft pick, already has matched his career high with 4 goals this season to go with 3 assists.
But only two of the players are likely to start when they're all healthy.
“They're good players, man,” Duka said. “It makes us all better. And everyone's producing. It's just good for the team when your wingers are producing. It's good for the offense. Then you get strikers like Mike (Magee) scoring all the time. It's kind of what you need. It's a good vibe in the locker room because we're trying to make the playoffs and we need that. I'm just happy to be contributing.”
oschwarz@dailyherald.com
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