Confident Cuypers Leading from the Front

Three games, three goals. It’s been quite the start to the season for forward Hugo Cuypers, the Chicago Fire’s club record signing, in his second season in Major League Soccer.

While he’s undoubtedly leading from the front on the field, the Belgian has also taken up a bigger role off of it this season as he’s a member of Gregg Berhalter’s leadership council.

“I really feel like I’ve grown into my role as one of the leaders in the dressing room this year,” Cuypers told MIR97 Media earlier this week. “Now I’m more settled, I know everybody better and I have already-established relationships… they’ve given me a bigger leadership role than I had last year, and being one of the captains of the team was a natural follow on that.”

Specifically, Cuypers took the armband for the last 60 minutes of last Saturday’s thrilling 3-1 come-from-behind win against FC Dallas. Cuypers assisted Andrew Gutman on the game-tying goal before scoring a penalty to wrap up the win in stoppage time.

While things are going swimmingly now for the $12 million number nine, his thirteen months in Chicago haven’t always been easy. Between adjusting to being across the ocean from friends and families and the birth of a son, there have been some challenges off the field. In his first season, he didn't quite match his Golden Boot-winning form from his time in Belgium, but still recorded a respectable tally of 10 goals – more than any other Fire center forward in the last five years.

Leadership by committee

In addition to becoming fully settled in America, a big boost for not just Cuypers but the whole club came in the form of Berhalter, the Fire's new big-name coach. The ex-USMNT boss took over this offseason, and has changed everything around the club from top to bottom, including the institution of the leadership council.

"For us it's a way to give players ownership in the process," Berhalter said. "It's a way to get them organized amongst themselves. It's a way to get a nice cross-representation of athletes with a voice."

"I think it's empowering the athletes; they are not just on the journey. They are driving this, and for us, it's really important."

This model is nothing new; Berhalter previously used it with both the national team and Columbus Crew, reaping benefits in both places. The players voted on the council, and captains were selected from within that group, so Kellyn Acosta wore the armband to start the first three matches. The council members also frequently communicate with the coaching staff, including selecting the first drill at training on Thursday.

Cuypers also feels that Berhalter's arrival has fostered a more positive team environment, especially since players better know their individual roles on the field and in the locker room.

"I really like (Berhalter's) consistency and the way he wants to play," Cuypers said. "The players are not getting mixed messages, and he builds around our strengths. I think that's his main strength, getting players comfortable, confident, and playing the way he wants us to."

Fresh look

Three weeks into the Berhalter era, it's clear that there has been a stark tactical shift from the approaches of the last few coaches in Chicago. For one, the new boss is demanding a less rigid approach with the ball and has emphasized team cohesion off the ball much more.

The most obvious place on the field this has shown has been in the midfield. Brian Gutiérrez was dropped deeper in as a box-to-box midfielder, joining Kellyn Acosta and Sergio Oregel in midfield for the early games this season. The move away from a traditional #10 has actually helped the Fire tremendously in the attack, as they've scored seven goals in the first three matches.

"It helps us a lot in the build-up but then everybody moves up so it feels like there's much more rotation," Cuypers said of the 4-3-3 system. "I think that it has really helped the team to create opportunities and rotate with the ball."

"Overall, I think that it has improved the strength of the team."

While both of Cuypers' first two goals of the season, against D.C. United, came from corners, he looked at his absolute best against Dallas last week. This culminated in him winning – and scoring – the decisive penalty that all but sealed the three points in stoppage time.

Reaching 100%

Despite starting all three of the Fire's opening matches, Cuypers actually did not appear at all in preseason. An injury kept him out for all six matches, but it didn't stop Berhalter from surprisingly naming him in the starting XI on opening day in Columbus. Unfortunately, the gamble didn't really pay off as the Belgian was not heavily involved in the action, and he had to be substituted at halftime because of a minutes restriction.

Now, the minute restrictions are gone, and Cuypers is good to play every minute he can while keeping note of any fitness situations should they flare up again.

"We know he missed all of preseason for us," Berhalter said last week. "Now it's urging patience to keep getting him to where he needs to be, but it's certainly great when you're not at a hundred percent and you're scoring goals."

With confidence at an all-time high since arriving in Chicago, Cuypers is now well-positioned to be even more of an impact player among MLS' best. A challenge looms against Canadian opponent Toronto FC, a team Cuypers scored against last season.

"What I can say is that the confidence and self-belief in the team is much bigger than last year," Cuypers said. "It shows we have better will."