It's been a long time coming for Chicago Fire midfielder David Accam.
On Wednesday night, when the Fire host the New York Red Bulls in the Knockout Round of the 2017 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs (7:30 p.m. CT | UniMas, FS1), it will mark the the first-ever MLS postseason experience for one of the club’s longest-tenured players.
"I’m really happy,” Accam said. "I wouldn’t say I’m satisfied, but I’m really happy. This is your goal, is to be in the playoff."
Upon arriving in Chicago as a Designated Player signing in December of 2014, the lightning quick 27-year-old shouldered much of the attacking load for a pair of Fire teams that finished at the bottom of the Eastern Conference in consecutive seasons. Accam led the team in scoring in each of his first two seasons while playing for two different managers, but he was primarily concerned with seeing the club experience better fortunes in the table.
Now, with his side having finished with the third seed in the Eastern Conference, Accam’s postseason aspirations are finally coming to fruition.
"The first time I came here (my goal was) to play in the playoff,” he said. "I’m really happy and grateful to get this opportunity to be playing in the payoff on Wednesday. I’m not going to look back. There’s nothing that will disrupt me. I just want to play well in the playoff. That’s all."
Though at times slowed by injury, Accam flourished in 2017. The Ghanaian international scored 14 goals and assisted on a team-high total of eight -- both career highs for his three seasons in MLS -- and now ranks third in club history with 32 MLS regular-season goals. As his supporting cast grew in quality this season, Accam was able to flash more of his own qualities.
"We have a good finisher,” he said, referencing MLS Golden Boot winner Nemanja Nikolic. "We have good midfielders, and they are really good at their job. That’s the main difference."
While Accam knows the ins-and-outs of the MLS regular season well by now, the postseason represents a different challenge entirely. However, Accam has been ready for this opportunity for nearly three years, and enters Wednesday night’s contest no stranger to high stakes moments.
"I’ve played in major competitions before, and I know that feeling,” he said. "It’s a knockout game and you want to win. A lot of people are watching and you want to show people that you are good enough to be playing in this type of game. Everyone is excited and I’m happy to be a part of this group.”
Accam’s wait is over. He’ll get his opportunity on Wednesday night.
"Coming back from the last two years, last place, and this year we’re third on the table. For us, it’s a great position we are in now.”
"Everyone is excited for Wednesday."
