CHICAGO - His name hangs from a red banner in Soldier Field's "Ring of Fire." His caricature is waived fervently on a large flag at home matches. No one has worn the Fire's No. 10 since he left.
"He's family," said Fire defender C.J. Brown.
Peter Nowak captained the Fire for five seasons before taking a front office role in 2003. His magnificent quickness, transcendent vision and meticulous passing dazzled Fire fans. But now, after the incessant Pole guided the Fire to MLS Cup 1998, and added three U.S. Open Cups to Chicago's trophy case (in 1998, 2000 and 2001), Nowak is the enemy, as he leads rival D.C. United as head coach as the teams face each other in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Still, fond feelings resonate for veteran Fire players as they line up against their former mate in the second leg of the series Sunday afternoon at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.
"He's the guy that got me my championship rings; he's the one I learned from. His desire of the game is something I try and emulate," said Brown.
"Peter is the best foreign player to ever play in this league. He played hard every year, and even when he was hurt. He never took time off and he wanted guys around him to be fighting everyday. That is what our team became known for and it was because of Peter."
Fond feelings aside, Jesse Marsch would like nothing more than to beat his former road trip roommate.
"There's an extra bit of competitive vigor when it comes to playing someone you are close with," said Marsch.
"We are in this business because we are competitive people. So whether it's Peter and Dema [Kovalenko] in D.C. or Ante [Razov] and Bob [Bradley] in New York, they are your friends, people you respect and people you love, but at the end of the day you want to have a few more notches on your belt than they have in theirs."
Nowak added a notch to his belt last season, leading D.C. United to MLS Cup glory in his first season as a head coach. Brown thinks Nowak could add another title this year - if they can first get by the Fire.
"I say by far they are the best team in the league. They move the ball well, and they have good soccer players," said Brown.
"I would never underestimate any team that Peter Nowak coaches. Playoff time is the time it means something. You play the league to get ready for the playoffs, that's how Peter approached it when he was with us. He always thought the playoffs were the real deal and he will have his players ready for the second leg."
Ivaldo Basso is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
