Kei Kamara isn't done yet, and is ready to help the Fire however he can

When Kei Kamara arrived in Chicago this offseason, he didn’t think he was coming to be the starting striker. Though Kamara has scored more goals than any man in MLS history apart from Chris Wondolowski and Landon Donovan, he was brought in the bring experience, leadership, and provide a reliable option when called upon to play. One-third of the way through the season, he’s exceeded expectations with his play, for many reasons.

Many were caught off guard when it was announced that Kamara, 38, has been traded to the Fire. Not only was Kacper Przybyłko seen as the incumbent starter, but Greek U22 forward Georgios Koutsias was also an imminent arrival and the club has been linked with signing a Designated Player striker for months. That DP #9 hasn’t arrived, though, and Przybyłko’s continued struggles made way for an opportunity for Kamara against Minnesota in week 7, one which he never gave up after scoring twice. His good form has been a lift for a Fire team that has at times struggled in front of goal, and his addition to the locker room has been great for everyone, especially the younger faces in the group.

A man who played a part in Kamara’s decision to join the Fire was then-Head Coach Ezra Hendrickson. The two were teammates once upon a time at the Columbus Crew, when Kamara was just 22 and Hendrickson was towards the end of his career, and their reunion in Chicago was cool for both of them. However, the club parted ways with Hendrickson earlier this week, and promoted assistant coach and club legend Frank Klopas to the head coaching role.

“It’s tough to take personally,” Kamara told us after training yesterday, “but I think those guys will be fine.”

“I keep talking about legends and Frank is one of those to this club, being part of the beginning and winning trophies here. He's been around here even when I came in and Ezra was the head coach, but I knew Frank being there has so much of the experience. He can tell us the ins and outs. It hasn't really been much of a difference except for not seeing Ezra and Junior [González] around.”

Over the last few weeks, Kamara has been the default starting striker for the Fire, and he has been depended upon to play significant minutes every week in MLS. After playing 74 minutes against Minnesota, he logged 66 against Philadelphia, 72 against Atlanta, and a full 90 against New York. While he’s the team’s top scorer and has been by far the most productive number nine, he’s being pushed to the limit of what he can do fitness-wise. Despite starting five of the last six, Kamara doesn’t view himself as the starter.

“I don't think I'm still the starting striker,” he says. “I came in to back up those guys, to back up Kacper, but I always, I always say I want to play and I've been in this league for so long, I'm still fit, I'm still ready to go helping the team on the field, off the field in the locker room. But if the coach decides to say it's my time to play, I'm ready, I'm not done yet.”

Kamara has shown no signs of stopping with his play on the field either. He’s now just two behind the aforementioned Landon Donovan in the all-time scoring charts in MLS, and closing in on arguably the greatest player in American soccer history is no small feat. However, his contribution off the field in a young dressing room is arguably just as important. While the Fire have had some good performances this season, they find themselves on a four-game winless run in MLS play. In times like this it’s paramount that the experienced veterans and leaders provide guidance in order to move past a difficult spell.

“​​Show them,” Kamara says, regarding how he can be an example for the younger players. “When I come in every day, I'm ready to train, I'm ready to go. I'm not taking my days off and, forget about the attitude, It's not gonna be negative at all… We just gotta keep going because it's a long season. I said it before and I'll say it again, it would take about ten games in the MLS season to get your groove going, and I think we just hit that. Hopefully, that's a turnaround for us and something that helps us get better now.”

It’s a quick turnaround to the Fire’s rematch with St. Louis this Saturday, and Kamara will most certainly play a role. Chicago got a much-needed win in the U.S. Open Cup over their regional rivals, 2-1, and will need the support of the fans at Soldier Field if they are to repeat the trick.

“The most important thing for us is two games at home,” says Kamara. “If we can get a crowd to really pump us up on Saturday, then that's gonna give us extra energy. If we're tired, they can boost us up.”

The Fire will face off against St. Louis at Soldier Field this Saturday at noon.