Two matches into the 2017 season and the Chicago Fire have already seen three players make their professional debuts.
Following Homegrown product Drew Conner receiving his first professional minutes in last week’s 1-1 draw at Columbus, fellow Homegrown Djordje Mihailovic and 2017 third round SuperDraft pick Brandt Bronico each took the field for the first time as pro players in Saturday’s 2-0 home victory against Real Salt Lake.
Bronico entered first, coming on for goal-scorer Nemanja Nikolic in the 85th minute. The 21-year-old slotted into the midfield to help close out a win in the club’s home opener.
“It’s incredible,” Bronico said. “It’s an unreal feeling to have. To play for an MLS side, it’s what you dream about at night, what you day dream about in class as you’re growing up. It’s just an incredible feeling. Your heart’s beating a little fast when you’re at the line and about to sub in, but you have to believe in yourself that you can do well.”
“It was totally unexpected,” he added. “Pauno just had to make the adjustments that he had to make to seal the game, and I was lucky enough to be one of them. That was an awesome feeling.”
Seven minutes later, Mihailovic replaced forward Michael de Leeuw in second half stoppage time. The 18-year-old Lemont, Ill. product became the eighth Homegrown player to feature for the Fire first team following Conner’s debut last week.
“I’ve been thinking of this moment my whole life,” Mihailovic said. “As soon he called my name I was so excited. I was ready to go in, ready to perform in front of everybody.”
For Mihailovic, Saturday’s match was the culmination of a years-long journey upwards through the Chicago Fire Academy ranks.
“Four years ago I came to the Fire Academy for this very moment,” he said. “I was thinking about it every day I went to train with the academy. This is what I’m preparing for. Yesterday, everything finally came together that I’ve prepared for for the last four years, so it was amazing.”
As the Fire prepare for a trip to Atlanta on Saturday, both Bronico and Mihailovic now have another career milestone to build upon. With their respective professional debuts out of the way, the work to continue making their presence felt on the field resumes.
“To be at this level is one thing and to make your debut is the next thing,” Bronico said. “So, I’ll just keep working hard.”
