Last season, Fire midfielders Baggio Husidic and Peter Lowry made a combined 18 appearances in the league.
That’s 18 out of a possible 60, hardly the numbers the Fire would brag about for their most integral men in the middle.
But suddenly, Husidic and Lowry are the toast of the team. Both players have made appearances in all five matches for Chicago this year, with Lowry getting five starts and Husidic appearing in the first 11 three times.
More impressive is how the two young center mids – ages 22 and 24, respectively – have performed on the field. Both have played well on either side of the ball, and each tallied a goal in the Fire’s 2-0 win over Houston last Saturday.
“I think together, we’ve done real well,” Husidic said this week. “We’ve shut down the D.C. United midfield and the Houston midfield. We have done well offensively, we’ve provided two goals total. Every game we’re getting better and hopefully we’ll keep improving.”
A lack of chances in 2009 (and for Lowry, 2008) motivated both players to come into camp this winter ready to perform. And while it was injuries to fellow center midfielders John Thorrington and Logan Pause (both of whom are still out) that put the young pair on the field, both have credited their offseason training with helping to prepare them for their newfound starting roles.
“With the last coach I didn’t get many chances,” Lowry said. “So I wanted to show in preseason and this year that when I play, I can be an impact player and help the team win. It’s been a bit different role this year, but with Logan and John out, someone has to step in, and I’m happy to do so.”
Husidic and Lowry have also benefitted from the Fire’s recent switch from a 4-4-2 to a 4-5-1 formation. The extra midfielder has lessened the pressure on both and allowed the duo to perform more freely in the center of the park.
“I think it’s an advantage for the midfielders,” Lowry said of the 4-5-1 formation. “It helps out defensively in the midfield, and if we can run out of the midfield and create problems and attack in layers then I think it’s a good system. It’s been working and I think we’re playing an attractive style, and scoring some good goals so I feel pretty good about it right now.”
But with Pause set to return to the Fire as soon as next week and Thorrington progressing in his recovery, Husidic and Lowry know that they’re days as starters could be numbered.
That knowledge has only increased their motivation to play well while they have their chance.
“Obviously every player wants to play,” Husidic said. “We’re going to try to fight to keep our spots and [Logan and John] are going to have to try to earn their spots back just like every other team. It’ll be tough; Logan and John are both great players. We’ve got four good midfielders in the middle competing every day which, [in the end], will make us all better.”
