BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – Having reestablished himself in the center of the Chicago Fire midfield in recent weeks, local boy Michael Stephens wants to cement his place in the starting lineup and knows that any drop in performance will put his place in the team in jeopardy.
Having started just six of the previous 22 games, Stephens has forced his way back into head coach Frank Yallop’s plans in the last four, and the Hinsdale, Ill. native has rewarded his coach’s faith with his typically energetic, direct and commanding performances from the center of midfield. With three assists and involvement in many more chances created in his debut season at Toyota Park, the 26-year-old is becoming an integral cog in an improved Fire machine.
PREVIEW: Chicago Fire at Montreal Impact
However, despite those impressive performances, the astute Stephens is taking nothing for granted.
“I think things are always changing,” Stephens told MLSsoccer.com this week. “As you see, whoever’s in form is going to play. Frank gives guys opportunities. He’s had everything from DPs sitting on the bench, and he’ll do what he has to do to win games. I think anybody out here who proves himself is going to get an opportunity to play. I think if I drop my performances in the slightest bit I think I’ll be right back where I was.”
While the former LA Galaxy and Stabaek midfielder has been relatively satisfied with his performances, he admits he would feel infinitely better if the team could build more momentum and put some more wins together with eight games remaining starting Saturday at the Montreal Impact (7 p.m. ET; CSN Chicago). The Fire (7-13-6, 27 points) sit just two points outside the playoff spots after last Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Orlando City SC but haven’t recorded back-to-back victories since April, when they won three on the bounce against the Philadelphia Union, Toronto FC and New York City FC.
They know that will have to change if they are to have any chance of making the postseason.
“It’s always nice to play well, but I think more than anything it would feel good if we could make a run here as a team,” Stephens insisted. “And I know a lot of people say that, but I truly mean it. As much as it means something to play well, it would mean so much to this team and this club if we could make a push and get into the playoffs. That’s really what’s been driving me to try to have good performances, is to help push this team and put some energy into this team.”
Stephens picked up an ankle injury in the Fire’s 3-2 win over Toronto FC in April, and had to show patience and character as he waited for his chance in the starting lineup. He has been chomping at the bit to get back into the fold ever since, but admitted his time on the sidelines gave him the opportunity the get “fully healthy,” and now both he and the team are reaping the benefits of that.
“I always want to play, but given that, it still gave me time to get fully healthy, get back into the swing of things, train the right way and be ready when my opportunity came,” he admitted. “So from that end it was good, but obviously any time you are out is not the best. You want to be playing all the time.”
Shane Murray covers the Chicago Fire for MLSsoccer.com.
