BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – There have not been too many bright markers on the Chicago Fire’s rather lackluster season, but the “electric” performances of lightning-quick winger David Accam have punctuated the club’s season with joy and excitement – and plenty of promise for an improved 2016.
The Ghanaian’s startling pace has helped propel him to the top of the Men in Red’s scoring charts with eight goals, while his fifth-best tally of two assists belies the devastating impact he has had in the opposing third with his pace, quick feet and trickery leading to four penaldties and four sendings-off.
The 24-year-old’s talent was showcased to a national audience last Friday when he helped guide Frank Yallop’s men to a 2-0 lead against the New York Red Bulls, before they eventually succumbed to a 3-2 defeat to the Eastern Conference leaders.
Twice in the first half he left the Red Bulls defense trailing in his wake, as his blistering pace and skill left Connor Lade and Kemar Lawrence on the turf before he composed himself to shoot. The first time, he scored to put the Fire 2-0 up in the 26th minute after outstripping Lade. The second time, he dragged a left-footed shot narrowly wide of Luis Robles’ goal with Lawrence floored by his speed and slick moves.
Those two plays provided a snapshot of Accam’s debut season in MLS, showing his ability to create and score himself but also demonstrating his sometimes less than clinical finishing, which could have seen him well into double figures by now if he had shown more composure in front of goal.
“He is one of the fastest with the ball, too; he is quick,” Yallop said via teleconference this week when asked if Accam was the quickest player in MLS. “He’s got those short little movements, too. You guys know Dominic Oduro is very fast, but David’s change of pace is fast as well. From standing still to going, it is electric. He is so exciting to watch and coach; he does stuff that takes your breath away.”
Accam, speaking to MLSsoccer.com Tuesday, said he believes he is the quickest player on the Fire roster, which is a familiar story on every team he plays for.
“Yeah, I think so, wherever I go I am always the fastest, and for me it’s my main advantage, for my game,” he acknowledged.
His game, focused on speed and trying to isolate himself one-on-one against his direct opponent, seems to be a tactic employed by Yallop since his arrival.
“To be fair, that’s what we’re trying to do, we’re trying to isolate the team so I get one-v-one against my opponent,” Accam said. “At the moment it’s difficult because most teams know me now so, they double up, every time. But that’s what we’re trying to do, get one-v-one in every situation.”
While revealing tactics might not be the best idea given the team’s disappointing position at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, any detailed study of the Fire and Accam would identify how Yallop sets his team up to get the best out of his star performer.
That said, the attention has made his life on the field more difficult as the season progresses and opposing coaches and defenders learn of his threat and increase their efforts to stifle it.
“It’s normal for me everywhere I play,” Accam admitted. “After the first five games, the opponents, because they watch videos, they know the players they are playing against, so most opponents know about me now. I’m doing well, I’m doing OK, but I came here to make a difference even though personally I’m improving. I’m playing well every game.”
Yallop also revealed that Accam has been the focus of several conversations with opposing coaches, who are impressed by his speed and admit “he’s very difficult to hold down.”
Accam missed the Fire’s 4-3 loss Sept. 4 at the Montreal Impact, and Yallop admits the hosts were somewhat relieved that he would not line up for what was a crucial game for both teams’ playoff chances.
“I think we were playing Montreal, and they realized that David wasn’t playing because he was away,” Yallop recalled. “I think they were very pleased, especially [right back] Nigel Reo-Coker, that he wasn’t on the field.”
