Fire’s belief in themselves leading to success on the pitch at long last.
BRIDGEVIEW, IL–All season long, the Chicago Fire have had belief that they could change their mental process and have a successful season. Their belief has taken them down a road to the playoffs for the first time since 2012.
They also have seen the fans coming out to Toyota Park in big numbers adding to their winning record at home this season. But the big question surrounds to what the Fire can achieve on the road in the upcoming playoffs?
First, Chicago moved up the table again with a 3-2 come from behind victory over visiting Philadelphia at Toyota Park on Sunday afternoon.
Secondly, the Fire have one remaining match on the road visiting Houston next Sunday at 3pm. They can end up with a bye in taking the second spot in the Eastern Conference. The club could get an opening playoff game at home too or end up on the road. There’s still a lot of factors to be determined on the final day of the season.
“We can see in our case and a lot of teams,” Chicago head coach Veljko Paunovic said. “Playing at home means a lot and it’s a very important advantage. We believe it’s going to happen and we will get the necessary points so we can play at home for the first playoff round.”
However, there’s been a difference of the success at home and struggles on the road for the club.
“Sometimes your not aware of the environment or what your going to face,” Paunovic added. “It’s the mentality, once you build the mentality then you know everything it how you prepare to how your going to perform. It doesn’t matter who’s in front of you or who your playing. That’s our goal and it remains our goal to improve. It’s something that we’re preaching and I believe we will make it. But we’re still not there yet. If we can secure playoff games will be very important for us. It’s the moment for us to step up.”
Over the last few weeks, it appears the Fire have turned the corner with some success on the road. But can it continue with its final road game and into the postseason.
“We did win our last game on the road,” David Accam said. “The last two or three have been good for us and we just have to keep going to play well. Hopefully, something will work out.”
Still, another week to find out where the Fire will end up. But this season has been a great success with more excitement to come with momentum on the side of the club.
Chicago Fire
Philadelphia Union
