MLS: Top 3 new homegrowns to watch in 2020
By Alex Miller
2. Mauricio Pineda
Mauricio Pineda began his Chicago Fire career in 2015 for the club’s academy before he joined UNC-Chapel Hill for the last four years.
More from MLS Multiplex
- Javier Milei Elected in Argentina: Potential Impacts on MLS and Signings of Argentine Players
- Orlando City and New York City FC in the Battle for Matías Arezo; Grêmio Enters Negotiations! Who Will Come Out on Top?
- USA, Honduras, Panama, and Canada Close in on a Spot in the 2024 Copa America
- De Gea Turns Down Al-Nassr’s Lucrative Offer: Speculation Points to Possible Reunion with Messi at Inter Miami
- Messi’s Magnetic Impact in the United States
Despite being a defensive midfielder, Pineda had the most shots on target and game-winning goals in his senior season, with 23 and three respectively. He then signed his professional contract in mid-January. This one-year contract has an option to extend for three more seasons.
Thus far, he has appeared in both of Chicago’s first two matches in 2020, starting in both and logging a shot on target in each. On the defensive side of the ball, he added five tackles in the defensive third and a 67% tackle rate against dribbles. Pineda can work on both sides of the ball and is definitely one to watch.
While his place in the team is likely to dwindle as the Fire welcome into the fold new acquisitions in the offseason, Pineda showed enough in the opening two matches to suggest that he can have an impact on the team throughout the season.