Puso Dithejane’s Chicago Fire form earns starting-place push

Puso Dithejane’s improved form since Major League Soccer resumed after the FIFA World Cup break has transformed the South African winger into a serious contender for a regular starting place at Chicago Fire.

The 23-year-old has made the most of an extended run in the team, producing a series of influential performances. He registered an assist in Chicago Fire’s 3-2 defeat by Inter Miami before scoring twice in a historic 2-1 victory over Liga MX champions CD Cruz Azul in the League Cup.

That result was regarded as one of the biggest wins in Chicago Fire’s history, with Dithejane scoring both goals to secure the club’s success.

Alex Calabrese, Editor-in-Chief of MenInRed97.com, told KickOff that regular playing time and increased confidence had been central to the winger’s revival.

“There were a couple of things that changed, but most importantly, it was confidence. Since we came back, he has been playing regularly, and that has allowed him to get a better run of minutes,” Calabrese explained.

Dithejane also scored in both friendlies played by Chicago Fire before the season resumed following the World Cup break. He then found the net in the team’s first competitive match back, against Inter Miami, before producing his two-goal display against Cruz Azul.

“He scored in both friendlies we played before the season resumed after the World Cup, and he scored in the first match back against Miami. And, of course, in a game against Cruz Azul (League Cup), he scored twice, which I would say is one of the biggest wins The Fire have ever had in their history, and he scored both goals (in a 2-1 win).”

Although Dithejane has been with the club for only six months, Calabrese believes his contribution against Cruz Azul has already given him a place in Chicago Fire’s history.

“So, even though he has only been here for six months, he is part of history for the club and hopefully it’s only the beginning.”

Competition for a starting role

Dithejane remains among the first substitutes when Chicago Fire are at full strength, with Jonathan Bamba and Phillip Zinckernagel still considered the preferred options in the starting XI.

Bamba missed the match against Cruz Azul while recovering from illness, creating an opportunity for Dithejane to start. The South African seized it by scoring both of Chicago Fire’s goals in the 2-1 win.

“I think he’s still one of the first players off the bench. I think in the starting XI, it would still be Jonathan Bamba and Phillip Zinckernagel. Bamba was coming off illness last week and was out, for Puso to start against Cruz.”

Bamba is now returning, and the expectation is that he will initially reclaim his place in the starting line-up. However, Dithejane’s progress has brought him much closer to a permanent role in Gregg Berhalter’s team.

“Bamba is coming back now and the expectation is that he is still the first starter. But Puso has grown so much this season, to the point that he is now on the brink of the starting XI.”

There had been questions over whether Berhalter would select Dithejane when Bamba was unavailable, but his performance against Cruz Azul provided a decisive answer.

“And when Bamba was out, there were a lot of questions that (Gregg) Berhalter can’t just put him in the line-up, (but) it worked, it worked great, so ja,” Calabrese added.

With Dithejane making an impact each time he appears, his prospects in Major League Soccer are continuing to improve. If he sustains his current level, the winger could soon move beyond the role of first-choice substitute and establish himself as a regular member of Berhalter’s starting XI.