The 2021 season provided a brief, but compelling introduction for first-year Fire midfielder Federico Navarro.
The 21-year-old was signed in early August, joined the team in early September, then quickly asserted himself as a starter in the Fire’s defensive midfield.
Navarro got his first taste of Major League Soccer as a second half substitute on Sept. 11 against Sporting Kansas City. From there, he’d go on to play in each of the Club’s remaining 12 matches, starting in each of the final 10.
The Fire were already outsiders in the Eastern Conference playoff chase by the time Navarro arrived, but the Argentine added a noticeable bite in midfield over the team’s remaining stretch of matches. Among all Fire players with at least 10 appearances, Navarro led the group in possessions won (9.58) and was second in tackles won (1.86), interceptions (2.51), and touches (74.47) per 90 minutes according to Opta.
With the 2022 preseason to now look forward to, Navarro sat down with ChicagoFireFC.com to discuss his late-season adjustment to the team, his initial impressions of MLS, and his expectations for his first full season in the league ahead.
Read the full conversation below, translated from Spanish and edited for clarity:
ChicagoFireFC.com: How are you feeling mentally and physically coming out of the season?
Federico Navarro: “I feel good. I feel strong. I have a little bit of a bitter taste in my mouth from the last few results, from not being able to qualify, but the important thing is that I’m strong and thinking about what’s next - about the upcoming season.”
CFFC.com: What was it like for you to come into the team during the later part of the season?
FN: “The truth is that it was a big change because I had already been in competition with my previous club and here the season had already started. I think it’s not the same to start from zero than when something has already been started. But, well, I tried to do my best, I tried to add value. The results maybe didn’t accompany us, but we played good games. I think that we played very well.”
CFFC.com: You made your debut in September, then played in each of the team’s final 12 matches. How did your expectations for the level of play in MLS match the reality?
FN: “I was very surprised by the physical level that teams have. I think that now in the upcoming season we have to build a good base for the season to be able to fight, to be able to qualify for playoffs.”
CFFC.com: How would you assess your performance over the 12 games in which you appeared?
FN: “I think that I can give a lot more. Coming in and joining (late), I think that I wasn’t able to properly find my level, but I think that I can give so much more. Now, the upcoming season I have my mind set there, in improving on what is needed and adding value always from wherever I’m needed.”
CFFC.com: The team put in some good performances in the season’s final games, despite being eliminated from postseason contention. What sort of energy or motivation does that give you for next season?
FN: “Despite many teammates leaving, I hope we can build a very competitive roster - competitive in the league and internally competitive, so none of the players can relax, so that we’re all at the ready.”
CFFC.com: What will you spend your offseason doing - travel, staying in shape, etc.?
FN: “I’m going to return to Argentina to recover some time with my family, to have a good time, to enjoy the holidays, and to put my mind to what’s coming up in the upcoming season.”
CFFC.com: How beneficial will it be for you to experience preseason camp with the team ahead of what will be your first full season in MLS?
FN: “For me, it’s something extremely good. I always emphasize and try to get the most out of preseason because I think that’s what’s going to maintain you throughout the year. For me, it’s the best thing, both mentally and physically to be able to do well during the season.”
CFFC.com: When you arrived in Chicago, you had to prove yourself to new teammates and a new coaching staff. You’ll now have to prove yourself again to another new coach. How will you approach that opportunity?
FN: “The same way I came in. I always try to do my best. My thing is always sacrifice. It’s always training. It’s being wherever I’m needed. It’s following the orders dictated by the coach that comes in. Always available. I’m always here to add value to the team, whether I’m able to play or not, always with the same energy and spreading that energy forward.”
CFFC.com: When we last spoke, you were staying at the Blackstone Hotel downtown. How has your adjustment to life off-the-field been since then?
FN: “My adaptation has been incredible. The people are so kind. As I said before, I adapted here and I adapted off the field, too. With my wife, we’re in love with the city. If it was up to us, we’d live our whole life here. So, in that aspect, we are very happy. I think that’s important, too, to be able to play well on the field.”
CFFC.com: What have you discovered about Chicago during your brief time living here so far?
FN: “There’s a restaurant called Jaleo, it’s Spanish, that is super good, and Fogo de Chão. I think those are the two things that surprised me a lot because of the good food they make.”
CFFC.com: What excites you the most about 2022 as you look forward to the new year?
FN: “Always, starting off the year from zero is exciting. I think there are a lot of expectations about what kind of group we’ll form, about what kind of game we’re going to play, about how we’re going to face games. The expectation is to qualify for playoffs, have good results, go game by game and, leave everything out there, right? For the people that always support us.”
