August 18, 2012
HANDLE WITH CARE
Nyarko contributing despite nagging injuries

Winger Patrick Nyarko played a role in both Fire goals against New England on Saturday night. Linda Cuttone Sports Vue Images

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill---Chicago midfielder Patrick Nyarko got more minutes in Saturdays night's 2-1 win over the New England Revolution than he has seen the last few games, but after creating both the Fire's goals, he was taken out after 75 minutes as a precaution.

“It’s my back and my hamstrings," Nyarko said of his nagging injuries. "They shift and I’ve been having problems all season. The last couple weeks I have not played 90 minutes, so it has gotten better. In the first half, I stretched for the ball and I heard it just pull a little bit. I don’t think it is a pop or anything. It’s nothing out of the ordinary, and nothing that I’ve not had before. It’s mostly precaution.”

Nyarko was the one who sprang Chris Rolfe for a run into the penalty area in the fourth minute of the game. Revolution defender AJ Soares tried to tackle the ball away from Rolfe, bringing down the Fire forward in the process. Rolfe targeted his penalty kick to the lower left corner, and it settled into the net off the hand of New England goalkeeper Matt Reis.

Later, it was Nyarko who beat his defender and set up Sherjill McDonald's first Fire goal, which turned out to be the game-winner.

“He’s been fantastic," Fire head coach Frank Klopas said of the speedy midfielder. "He’s been a game changer for us coming in in different games. That’s what we have now--some depth."


The depth allowed Klopas to sit Marco Pappa and give Nyarko the start, swapping the two in the 75th minute.

"Marco played a little bit longer than I wanted to with the national team. We were hoping for him to get 45 minutes. Now we feel good with the depth that we have. (Patrick) Videira came in and did a very good job. Patrick’s got some issue with his back so that is why he came out. He pulled his back so we have to assess that. When he gets opportunities, I think he can be even more dangerous with finishing plays off. With his ability to take players one on one with his pace, he creates a lot. He’s very dangerous and has been a difference maker for us not only tonight, but throughout the season. He’s consistent.”