Dema Kovalenko has heard the scouting report on being a Project-40 player. He has heard about the travel: go with the Project-40 team on the weekend, train with the Fire during the week, maybe stay and play with the Fire, maybe return to the Project-40 team.
The rookie from Indiana University wants no part of it.
“I hope I don’t have to do that,” Kovalenko said. “I don’t want to go with the Project-40 (team). I want to stay here.”
He was with the Fire as it opened its second Major League Soccer season Saturday night against the San Jose Clash. And he’ll stay for the first couple of weeks. But his status might change once the Project-40 team assembles in April.
Project 40 is a collection of players signed by MLS to develop young American talent. The team plays a full season in the A League, the second division. All the games are on the road.
Kovalenko heard all he needed to know about Project 40 from Josh Wolff. The second-year forward shuttled back and forth between the Fire and Project 40 last season. Wolff played 14 games with the Fire and 18 with Project 40 and ended up scoring 20 goals. The thinking is it’s better for young players to play rather than sit.
“I think (Dema) is coming in with high hopes,” Wolff said. “I just told him that he has to take it slow. As much as you think you can come in and play and change people’s minds as to how much you can contribute, it still takes time. There’s nothing wrong going to play with Project 40.”
For now, Kovalenko is determined to make his mark and stay in Chicago the entire season. He’s learning, however, that it’s not as easy as it was with the Hoosiers.
“The game is a lot faster and more physical,” Kovalenko said. “You have to think a lot more than in college.”
Fire coach Bob Bradley is giving Kovalenko every opportunity.
“There may be times when he’s getting his opportunity to play and there may be times when he’s with Project 40, and over time we’re hopeful that he can move more and more into our team,” Bradley said. “But I don’t know how long that will take.”
Kovalenko hopes it takes no time at all.
