It’s been a tough week for Patrick Nyarko – but not because of what transpired on the soccer field.
The Chicago Fire midfielder returned to action earlier this week in a US Open Cup match after a nine-month absence following an ACL injury last year, and he then came off the bench to score the equalizer in Friday night’s 1-1 draw with the Chicago Fire.
He dedicated the goal to his grandmother, who passed away recently back in Nyarko’s home country of Ghana.
“First of all, I dedicate this to my grandmother. She is being buried tomorrow, so may she rest in peace,” Nyarko said of his first MLS goal since May 10, 2014. “I’m proud. I’m proud of the guys. I think we found something special at the end of the game, how we reacted after the goal, is how we need to play every game and the guys realized that.
“I’m glad I was able to help, but kudos to the guys, they came out fighting, and they know now this is what it takes to win games in this league. Every single game, this is what it would take to win it.”
The Ghanaian impressed with a late cameo in the Fire’s 3-1 USOC victory over the Charlotte Independence on Tuesday, and made a similarly telling impact following his halftime introduction at BBVA Compass Stadium on Friday.
Head coach Frank Yallop singled out Nyarko’s efforts out in his post-match breakdown, and admitted the return of the winger and striker Mike Magee after long-term injuries will be a huge boost for the remainder of the season.
“Patrick had a big impact in the game on Tuesday and comes and gets the tying goal here,” Yallop said. “I’m pretty pleased for him. It’s been a long road back, and he and Mike were great when they came off the bench. It’s a long haul to get back from that type of injury, and I’m very happy that they’re both on the field and they’re both contributing and doing well.”
Chances were not in plentiful supply in a game that never really got going, with Razvan Cocis’ early effort off the post the closest the Fire came aside from Nyarko’s goal. However, beginning the month of July with a point on the road was seen as a minor victory given a bleak June in which the Men in Red lost all four regular-season games.
“Getting a point on the road is sort of what you set out to do, and I felt we could have nicked it and won the game,” Yallop said. “Great effort from our guys, really proud of the way they fought and battled against adversity with a few injuries here and there, a couple of things going on, not having a full lineup, so very proud of the way we played and getting a point here.”
Nyarko believes the USOC win, coupled with Friday’s draw, could signal a change in the Fire’s fortunes and see an upturn in results in the coming weeks, especially with absentees like David Accam, Shaun Maloney, Joevin Jones and Jeff Larentowicz set to return to the fold.
“I hope so,” Nyarko said when asked if this could be a turning point. “It’s been a difficult season for everyone, with injuries, someone goes up, someone goes down. I’m really excited to get everyone back to see how the depth we’ve been talking about, how we can co-exist, and I think it’s going to be great. I’m curious and excited to see everyone healthy and back in the second part of the season.”
Shane Murray covers the Chicago Fire for MLSsoccer.com.
