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When Chicago Fire forward Robert Berić scored in the 15th minute of the 2-2 draw with the Montreal Impact over the week, it marked his fifth straight match with a goal—tying David Accam’s club record.
The Chicago Fire’s Designated Player had a run of seven matches before the record-tying streak without a goal. He gives credit to his teammates for helping him get his goal scoring rate back on track.
“I mean, it’s always nice to score a goal, but I always say, it’s even nicer to win, you know?” Beric said. “So I mean, when I’m scoring goals it’s the work of the whole team, so I’m thankful for that, that the team is helping me, that I’m helping the team. So we just have to try to keep winning and being good, having a good energy for every next game that’s coming.”
Berić said he hasn’t really changed anything in his game or his preparation—it was just a matter of all of the new players on the team getting to know one another.
“We feel each other much more on the pitch,” Berić said. “I think we get to know, get to slowly know each other more. And then I also know what to expect in the moments on the pitch, what kind of ball, where to move. So I think it’s the progress of the whole team and as you can see also how we play, I think we are making progress from game to game and I think this is the main reason.”
The Fire, who sit just outside a playoff position in 11th place, have a run of eight games in the next month to try to grab a postseason spot. It’ll be grueling, especially without fellow DP Gastón Giménez, who will be away on international duty for most of that stretch.
“It’s going to be challenging,” Berić said. “We have to be professionals. We have to be able to take care of our bodies. We have to make a good regeneration after every game, have a good sleep, rest at home, and going from game to game to try to be in the best shape.”
Berić will look to make it six matches in a row with a goal on Wednesday when the Fire visit Sporting Kansas City. The match kicks off at 7:30. Because WGN will be showing the Vice Presidential Debate, the match can be seen only on ESPN+ (sign up using our link!).