BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – A resurgent Kennedy Igboananike is hoping his goals can help drive the Chicago Fire to an unlikely spot in the playoffs.
Time is running out for Frank Yallop’s men (6-12-5, 23 points) with just 11 games to play, but the Nigerian striker is the latest player to insist that a playoff run is still attainable despite their less-than-convincing form to date.
Igboananike doubled his productivity for the season in the Fire’s 3-3 tie at the Philadelphia Union on Sunday, scoring twice and laying on a third for Patrick Nyarko to secure what could prove a vital point. That makes him the club’s joint second-leading scorer behind David Accam, who has six goals.
“I think my main target is to reach the playoffs and get as many goals as I can before the 11th game ends,” Igboananike told MLSsoccer.com this week.
The Fire face an uphill battle to haul themselves off the foot of the Eastern Conference. But their two upcoming home games, beginning with the visit of fellow strugglers the Colorado Rapids to Toyota Park Saturday (8:30 pm ET, MLS LIVE) and continuing with Wednesday’s clash with the high-flying New York Red Bulls, will confirm if their season is over prematurely – or if a late push could become reality.
“I think what we do is we have to take one step at a time, because we still have chances to make it to the playoffs,” Igboananike said after the tie in Philadelphia. “If we get a win [vs. Colorado], I think we are going to be more confident again to win the other one."
Igboananike’s Designated Player contract was recently bought down by the Fire using Targeted Allocation Money, which allowed the club to first fight for the signature of Didier Drogba and ultimately sign Brazilian striker Gilberto.
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Despite the added competition up front, the 26-year-old is looking forward to the added quality the former Toronto FC DP brings to the Fire.
“Absolutely,” Igboananike said when asked if he was looking forward to battling with Gilberto for a starting spot up top. “Like I always say, everybody is good, so it doesn’t matter for me who I play with, I can play with anybody. But it’s for the team, not just for me alone.”
The Fire have a relatively clean bill of health entering the game, with Gilberto (thigh contusion) expected to be available.
