Talk about representing.
Chicago Fire Homegrown product Djordje Mihailovic asserted his presence among a contingent of Major League Soccer's finest young players in front of his hometown crowd at Tuesday night's 2017 MLS Homegrown Game.
Prior to kickoff, the Lemont, Ill. native was given the captain's armband by coaches Brian McBride and Mike Magee, a move that -- according to Mihailovic -- came as a surprise.
"They told me right before the game that I was going to be captain," he said. "First, I was in shock. I haven't really captained a team, and to captain in an All-Star game -- representing and captaining all these great young players -- is definitely an honor."
Mihailovic then wasted no time in shouldering his team's load in the scoring department. In the game's first minute, Mihailovic took a pass from New York Red Bulls midfielder Tyler Adams into the Chivas 18-yard box, outmaneuvered a trio of Chivas defenders, and placed a low shot past goalkeeper Antonio Torres to give the MLS Homegrown side a 1-0 lead.
"It was important," Homegrown coach Brian McBride said of Mihailovic's finish. "An early goal -- especially as a new group of guys -- just gives you more energy."
"It was really good for us to get that early goal. I'm happy for Djordje."
Mihailovic went the distance on the night, going the full 90 minutes in what was ultimately a 2-2 draw. Colorado's Kortne Ford headed home an equalizer on the game's final touch to provide some late drama and split the result with the side's Mexican counterparts.
For the 18-year-old Mihailovic, scoring in a showcase exhibition in front of his family and teammates was a humbling experience.
"It's every kid's dream to score in front of a home crowd and to play in an All-Star Game and represent the home club and the home city," he said. "To score is another thing to add to that. I'm definitely honored and it was definitely a great experience for me."
