BRIDGEVIEW, IL-Alan Gordon has been a journeyman player for a number of years. It’s something that he’s been used to doing over his career and he’s been making a pretty good showing where ever he puts his cleats on the pitch.
His history has taken him to six different clubs in Major League Soccer and the United Soccer League that started in 2004. Gordon has been apart of the Portland Timbers (USL), LA Galaxy a couple of times, Chivas USA, Toronto FC, San Jose Earthquakes and now the Chicago Fire this season.
Gordon has been a big part of the Fire offense recently as he scored his third goal in the last three matches and his fourth this season leading Chicago past San Jose 2-1 at Toyota Park on Saturday night.
“It feels great and every striker wants to score goals,” Gordon said. “It’s been good and it’s been a blessing. My role is always the same. It’s not my first team and I’m always the guy that’s been coming off the bench. If we have hurt bodies than I fill in. That’s my role and I do the best I can do when I get in there.”
Getting the opportunity being apart of the Fire’s frontline attack has been an added surprise of late for Gordon and he’s fit in pretty well some of the other scorers.
“He’s a good player and so strong if he can keep the ball,” Chicago Fire’s Aleksandar Katai said. “I think he can push up in the attack. He’s helped us a lot (attacking) and he can do a lot of things.”
Gordon’s goal came in the 29th minute of play which put the Fire out in front of visiting San Jose. His effort was finishing off a header at the back post.
“It was put up there and went to go get it,” Gordon added. “It was a good ball and lead me for a 1 v 1 battle. I was able to dunk it!”
As a player, Gordon has been one that the coaching staff has admired and showed its appreciation for his work ethic and ability to fill in constantly.
“I’m very, very happy with his performance,” said Fire head coach Veljko Paunovic. “He’s a fantastic professional, very direct and clear. We ask what he needs, he tells us ‘that’s fine, I need more, I need less, I don’t need anything.’ That’s how a veteran player and professional works. On the other hand, not only on the field and not only in his performance he’s playing his role as a veteran of the field. Guiding the youngsters and being an example and also giving his input on what we can do better and that’s something that I think we missed in the past but now we have it and we have to take care of it.”
Editor’s Note: All photo’s are courtesy of Don MacGregor
Chicago Fire
MLS
August, 2024
