After missing three of the first four games of the season through injury and international duty, it comes as little surprise that the Chicago Fireââ¬â¢s recent resurgence has coincided with the return to action of Ghanaian international David Accam.
After picking up a groin injury in preseason Accam finally made his MLS debut when he was introduced as a halftime substitute in the 2-1 defeat at the hands of the San Jose Earthquakes. He followed that up with a stirring performance in the team's 3-2 win over Toronto FC, and his return has created quite the buzz around Toyota Park with the Fire now on a two-game winning streak after dropping their first three.
ââ¬ÅHeââ¬â¢s only really gotten one full game, and heââ¬â¢d say heââ¬â¢s still not totally match fit, but his threat of speed is just crazy,â⬠teammate Harry Shipp said of the lightning-quick 24-year-old. ââ¬ÅHow much he sucks guys over and creates more room for guys like me and Shaun [Maloney] underneath, and his ability to stretch defenses is not something we had last year, especially on the outside, and it gives a nice balance to me on the other side.ââ¬
"It looks like heââ¬â¢s enjoying it, heââ¬â¢s only played the one full game, and heââ¬â¢s still got a ways to go to get into his full stride,â⬠head coach Frank Yallop admitted. ââ¬ÅHe could have scored a hat trick on the weekend, to be honest with you. But Iââ¬â¢m really happy with his acquisition for us.ââ¬
Finalizing Accam's acquisition proved to be a long and difficult process as the Fire faced stiff competition for the playerââ¬â¢s services, with several European clubs rumored to be in the hunt for the attacker after a standout couple of years with Swedish top-flight side Helsingborg, where he scored 30 goals in 62 games.
However, the persistent efforts of Yallop and Technical Director Brian Bliss swayed Accamââ¬â¢s decision towards a move to the Chicago Fire and MLS.
ââ¬ÅWe got wind that he might be available in October or November, that his club might be trying to sell him in the window,â⬠Yallop told MLSsoccer.com this week when asked about the scouting behind Accamââ¬â¢s move. ââ¬ÅBrian Bliss saw him live, I didnââ¬â¢t get a chance to because the season was over, but we watched enough [scouting service] Wyscout, and made enough phone calls to people that I trust to check what they think about him.
ââ¬ÅThere was a lot of interest in him at the time, but I went over and spoke to him and his agent to try to convince him. It was on and off for quite a while and he had other offers to look at, but it was great that he decided to choose us. I think we did a pretty good job of selling the club to him, which is important.ââ¬
Accam highlighted the pivotal role played by Yallop and the Fire management in persuading him to come to Chicago, and in an interview with Ghanaian show ââ¬ÅNew Dayâ⬠shortly after his signing in December, he admitted: ââ¬ÅFor me, I had a lot of offers on the table and it wasnââ¬â¢t easy to choose Chicago Fire, but their commitment and the respect they showed me was the main reason I chose them. Even though there was a lot of teams offering me more money, but the commitment was put in and they really needed me, so I have to choose them."
ââ¬ÅYou need to go to a team where they really need you and be the key player on the team, and that was the main reason I chose Chicago Fire,â⬠he added.
If Accamââ¬â¢s devastating impact against Toronto on his first start is anything to go by, the future looks bright for both player and club. His speed, coupled with a deft touch and a teak-tough mentality, already has some of his teammates excited about what could lay ahead.
ââ¬ÅHeââ¬â¢s an incredibly fast player that is going to put defenses on the back foot for most of the game,â⬠captain Jeff Larentowicz acknowledged. "Even when weââ¬â¢re trying to take a break off another teamââ¬â¢s attack heââ¬â¢s always available for us to relieve that pressure, but even when weââ¬â¢re in the build-up we know heââ¬â¢s going to get on the ball and create chances. At the end of the game you could see he was still going, heââ¬â¢s hungry to attack, which is great."