Missael Rodríguez on a "dream come true" as he shines in MLS debut
As I entered the Chicago Fire locker room after last night's 3-0 win over CF Montréal, there was a party atmosphere. Joyful music blared, and everyone was just in a good mood. Patiently waiting for his opportunity to speak with the media in such a setting for the first time, though, was 20-year-old Missael Rodríguez, whose years of hard work finally paid off when he made his debut off the bench. It was a special moment for the homegrown forward who was signed ahead of last season.
The story began earlier in the day when Missa learned he would again be a part of the first team's matchday squad. This was nothing new – he'd been on the bench 13 times prior this season – but as the perceived fourth-choice striker on the depth chart, it was always difficult to imagine where his opportunities would come. When his family asked him if they should come out to watch the game today, he advised them not to, given the adverse weather conditions.
“My mom didn’t come because of the weather," Rodríguez told us last night. "She knew it was going to rain and I was like ‘No, you should stay home, I don’t know if you want to come and get wet’. But my dad came out, and some of my other family and a couple of friends came out to support.”
Of course, it would turn out to be right decision for those who did decide to pull up to Soldier Field for more reasons than one. The Fire jumped out to an early lead, with fellow 2003-born homegrown Brian Gutiérrez scoring his first home goal in the ninth minute, and before you knew it, the Men in Red were up 3-0 at the half. Though Rodríguez knew there was a chance he'd see the field with Kacper Przybyłko not named to the gameday roster, it hadn't begun to set in until that point.
"We were talking about the chance of me debuting and I was mentally prepared, but with the storm, it gives you some jitters for the game to start already... When I started seeing all of the goals, it kind of clicks. You’re always ready. You’ll put on all the stuff to warm up, you’re on the bench, you’re always locked in and mentally ready. So when I saw the goals come, I was like ‘whoa this might happen...’"
In the 76th minute, it did happen. Head Coach Frank Klopas motioned to the substitutes warming up that Missa was coming on, and sure enough, he prepared to make his grand entrance. It was then announced over the intercom that Rodríguez, the Chicago native, would replace Koutsias. His arrival was met with loud applause from the fans who did brave the storm, and it was an emotional moment for the young man.
“It was great, a great feeling, and it was a relief to finally get in and get my debut... This is my childhood club, since I was little I’ve always supported the Fire, so for me to debut for them is something I have a lot of pride in, not just for me but for my family and everyone that’s supported me.”
Now, the Fire and Rodríguez are in an interesting position. As mentioned previously, Przybyłko was a healthy scratch from the Montréal match, suggesting that the homegrown forward has potentially passed him in the depth chart or is at least close to doing so. This doesn't necessarily mark the end of Przybyłko's time in Chicago – Frank Klopas has already stated that he's still a part of the competition and that competition is healthy – but it will certainly make things more difficult for him. Rodríguez didn't look out of place at the MLS level, and he could truly establish himself as the Fire's #3 forward down the stretch and as a valuable option who can also play on the wing if necessary.
"I'm extremely happy that we were able to get also Missael Rodríguez, another Homegrown player, to give him an opportunity to get on the field in a difficult moment, and he responded really well," Klopas said after the match. "It's good that young guys like Missa have stepped in and performed really well, and it's important for everyone to continue to be ready because it's still a long season to go."
Most importantly, though, Rodríguez's appearance represents yet another homegrown player who has now graduated to the Fire first team. The Fire have, over the last decade, slowly established themselves as one of the top talent factories in the country, and with young academy products like Gaga Slonina, Brian Gutiérrez, Chris Brady, and Djordje Mihailovic playing big first team roles in recent seasons in addition to other young talents such as Jhon Durán and Carlos Terán, the Fire continue to be a model of a developmental club in the United States. When opportunities are given to young players, it will further promote the Fire as a future destination for young stars looking to take their next step, whether that be coming from overseas or from the Academy. There are certainly players who will use the homegrown minutes handed out by the first team as motivation to do the same, such as gifted Fire II midfield Sergio Oregel and numerous top prospects in the Academy as they look to reach the professional level.
"All the hard work and sacrifice not just from me but from everyone around me," says Missa. "This means a lot as now I can be an example for the kids in Chicago and they can see that if they have that dream it can definitely come true."
