In a match that was long on storylines and standout performers, Razvan Cocis managed to leave a stamp on the Chicago Fire’s MLS opener Sunday afternoon.
Now in his third season with the Men In Red, the 33-year-old Romanian midfielder has been a guiding influence since the start of preseason with a host of newcomers and young pros surrounding him. His role in the team was affirmed prior to the tilt with New York City FC when head coach Veljko Paunovic handed him the captain’s armband for the match.
With his side dealt an early blow in the form of a Thomas McNamara wonder-strike, Cocis helped the Fire recover with a heady run off the ball in the 19th minute. Streaking through NYCFC's high back line and receiving a spot-on delivery from Arturo Alvarez, Cocis calmly finished his chance past Josh Saunders and brought his team on level terms.
“We analyzed New York and saw how they play, they play with a back line up, not playing offside but they will stay high,” Cocis said of the Fire’s pre-match preparations. “We talked about looking at those balls in behind. It was a good call by Kennedy (Igboananike) and Gilberto to stay out of my way because they were offside clearly. It was something that we talked about, yes.”
WATCH: Full Match Highlights
In what was a wide-open match from the start, however, Cocis and midfield running mate Matt Polster -- to whom Cocis handed the armband upon departing with a slight knock in the 81st minute -- were also in a constant battle to close space, win back possession and contain the play-making ability of NYCFC’s McNamara, Mix Diskerud and, up top, David Villa and goal-scorers Tony Taylor and Khiry Shelton. On that front, Cocis sounded eager after the match to return to the film room and identify the needed improvements customary of any season-opening effort.
“We had bad and good, I think we’ll have to analyze everything,” Cocis said. “The second half we changed the system, the pressing, and also we had the wind, which (NYCFC) had the first half. It was hard to play out of the back the first half. They did a pretty good job pressing us.”
Despite the eventual 4-3 defeat, Cocis was encouraged by the never-quit mentality that twice saw the Fire cut into a two-goal NYCFC advantage, praising the progress the Men In Red have collectively made to this point in 2016.
“It’s a young team, a new team,” he said. “It’s a fresh new start for all of us. With patience and confidence we’re getting there and I think we are on the right way, even though today wasn’t the greatest game, we had a preseason which looked good, and we were confident [going into] this game.”
