BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – While he was understandably excited about scoring his first goal as a professional soccer player, Jonathan Campbell lamented the Chicago Fire’s inability to close out games on Saturday following a fourth tie in seven games against D.C. United.
Campbell put the Fire (1-2-4, 7 points) ahead with a deft flick from Arturo Alvarez’s inviting center in the 41st minute, but a header from former Chicago player Patrick Nyarko in the 64th minute saw the visitors tie the game 1-1 to earn a point and leave Veljko Paunovic searching for his second win in MLS.
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“I was very excited for it,” said 22-year-old Campbell of his first goal in MLS. “I had that one against NYCFC and that got called back, so that was tough, but Arturo played a great ball in and I was able to get a touch on it. As great as it felt, I just really wanted to finish out the game and get the win.”
The Fire have been in leading positions in two previous games, before eventually drawing 1-1 at Orlando City SC and losing 2-1 at home to Montreal Impact last time out. And a resurgent second half performance from Ben Olsen’s men (2-3-4, 10 points) saw them earn the point they richly deserved and left Campbell frustrated at his side’s struggles to see games out from winning positions.
“It’s very frustrating,” he admitted. “We take a lot of pride on the back line, shutting it out, getting those shutouts and really just shutting down the opponents. I really thought we actually did a good job at that, if you look back at their shots I think we did a great job and we just had one that we fell asleep on with the corner-kick. It’s frustrating and something that we can improve upon.”
Campbell has played every minute since entering the opening game at half-time and has impressed with his poise and maturity in a much improved defense that has conceded four goals in six games. Paunovic has suggested that the University of North Carolina man has the potential to play for the USMNT one day, and he repeated that belief when asked how impressed he has been with the rookie’s immediate transition to life in MLS.
“I’m very happy (with him), he knows that,” Paunovic told reporters. “We spoke yesterday about it, what I advised him was to keep his feet on the ground, keep on working hard, and I’m very transparent. I think we have a player for the U.S. national team here but he has to work hard, he has to understand that every game is a challenge for him, he has to improve and we will give him all the support that he needs.”
Shane Murray is a contributor to MLSsoccer.com.
