Bakero: This Is Just The Beginning

Our own Saul Garcia previously argued here at Hot Time that rookie forward Jon Bakero should step up as the Chicago Fire’s new #10. That may indeed be a viable long term plan. But for now, there’s still work to be done. Bakero has not featured for the Men In Red in MLS yet, and head coach Veljko Paunovic has stressed patience while noting that the Wake Forest grad needs a bit more time to “adjust to the speed and the demands at his level.”

But in a new interview with the Chicago Tribune, Bakero says he’s not worried about the lack of minutes right now, and that his current focus is on putting in the work and waiting for his chance.

“I have to be patient because this is just beginning. I have to keep working and be prepared when the opportunity comes. Obviously, I want more and I want to play, but I have to improve, focus on the small details and be ready for when the coach calls my name, and give it my all every day. Four years ago, I would have never expected to be in the situation I’m in. The jump from college to MLS is high, and I have to go through an adaptation process. So again, I have to be patient, work and the opportunity will come.”

The whole thing is definitely worth a few minutes of your time.