ORLANDO, Fla. – Veljko Paunovic hailed the whole of his team for “giving their hearts on the field” in a solid Chicago Fire defensive effort at Orlando City SC.
But it was goal-scorer David Accam who took the lion’s share of plaudits as he burnished his fast-growing reputation with some more fleet-footed magic in the 1-1 draw at Citrus Bowl.
A hard-earned first point of the season – achieved despite seeing Michael Harrington sent off for a wild challenge in the 32nd minute – gave Paunovic plenty of satisfaction, especially after giving a debut to yet another new player in Dutch midfielder John Goossens and a first start for Jonathan Campbell.
The Fire head coach had every reason to be delighted with the backs-to-the-wall display, especially after going behind in the fourth minute.
“I am very proud of our guys. Being in that situation with a man down is never easy,” Paunovic said. “But they adapted well and gave their hearts on the field. There were some moments of confusion, but we had to stick together as a team, and we did.
“We are improving, we are building as a team and we are still growing. In the next game, we will be even better.”
Chicago’s promise was still highlighted by Accam’s terrific solo goal, a 14th-minute equalizer following Cyle Larin’s opener for Orlando.
“I think David always brings that,” Paunovic said. “He has great talent and amazing speed and ability. Today was one of those when he showed us a lot. He has the ability to change a game and always gives his best for the team.”
Accam earned just as much praise from the opposing locker room, where Orlando head coach Adrian Heath hailed it as “a great goal – I didn’t expect to be pressing in their area and then 10 seconds later, the ball is in our net. It showed what the kid has.”
Orlando center back Seb Hines was honest enough to own up to being bettered by Accam’s sheer speed.
“I thought my positioning was pretty good,” Hines said. “But his speed is just scary. I played against Theo Walcott of Arsenal when he was 17 and thought he was scary fast, but this kid is probably just as quick. It’s tough to go up against that.”
