Chicago Fire Vs Seattle Sounders: 3 things we learned – Massive win for Men in Red

2. Mauricio Pineda masterclass

The Chicago Fire spent plenty of money in the offseason to make multiple international transfers. But it seems that their best acquisition was a homegrown signing.

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After four years at North Carolina University, Mauricio Pineda finally signed a professional contract with the Fire. Fans had never expected the day to actually come but the club did very well to bring in one of the academy’s brightest graduates. He impressed during the first two games of the regular season and was subsequently handed a starting role here.

Pineda made the most of the limelight, putting on a masterclass at both ends of the pitch. Playing as a center-back in a back three, he did well to cover the extremely dangerous pairing of Nicolas Lodeiro and Raul Ruidiaz, keeping them at bay all afternoon.

It was going forward where he really shined, though. Pineda was the key to Chicago playing out from the back. He made passes to link the defense and attack. His long ball in behind set up the opening goal as he launched the ball forward to Robert Beric, who did the rest following a defensive error.

The homegrown star wasn’t done. Pineda went on to grab the winner late on. A corner was whipped into the area and somehow went past every Sounders player. It eventually fell to Pineda at the back post, who reacted quickly to volley home from close range. Still only 22 years old, it seems that Pineda’s Fire future is very bright indeed.