Bakary Soumare's early-season performances in defense for the Fire have been one of the biggest positives so far for the team.

To add to that, he's gaining a reputation as one of the toughest Fire players on the field whilst being one of the friendliest to Fire fans off it.

Backdraft talked to Bakary about life with the team, his new role at the heart of the defense, and his views on the recent upheavals and what it means to play for the Chicago Fire.

Backdraft: Who are your best friends on the team? What do you guys do to relax on the road?

Bakary: Tough one... I'm good friends with the entire team. This team is like a family. I'm very close to CJ, Diego, Temo, Wilman, and Gonzalo. They are all older guys that I really look up to and we have very close relationships off the field. Oh wow, I just realized they are all part of my backline. Seriously, going to work everyday with a bunch of guys like that makes everything so much easier and it makes me enjoy being part of the group even more.

On the road, I just hang out in the room with CJ (who is always my roommate). Sometimes I'll walk down the hall to hang out in Temo's room. But team meals on the road are always lots of fun, especially the meal the night before the games. Our table usually consists of Andy Herron, Gonzalo, Wilman, Temo, myself and occasionally some of the other guys join us, but we always have funny conversations.

Backdraft: When you were a kid, which teams and players worldwide did you look up to? Who would you most like to play for some day?

Bakary: I grew up in France so obviously Zidane, but my favorite is Patrick Vieira...big fan of John Terry as well. Would love to play for CHELSEA!!! Come on, you know how well Abrahamovic treats his boys!

Backdraft: You've lived in Paris, New York and Chicago. Which city's the best?

Bakary: Good question... I love Paris, but I'm so used to the States now that I don't think I could live there again. I like NYC: nice city, fast pace. But Chicago is my favorite, I'm in love with this city, especially in the summer time. The weather sucks in the winter, which is the only down part!

Backdraft: You played in midfield last year, but you've moved to center-back this season. Which position do you prefer?

Bakary: I have been getting this question A LOT lately. I'm a defender, I was drafted to play in the back. Last year I played in the middle because that's where they needed me to play because we already had lots of defenders and we were short in the middle of the park. Coming into preseason, I thought I was going to fight for a d-mid spot, but after we picked up a few injuries (Dasan, CJ, Wilman) it was an easy decision for the coaching staff. Denis knows I can play there and has played me there since preseason. I'm enjoying it a lot and I'm getting more comfortable as the weeks go on.

Backdraft: You've only been with the Fire for just over a year, but you've already had three coaches and now there'll soon be a new General Manager as well. How do you guys feel about so much change?

Bakary: Yes, It's never fun to see so many changes in such a short period of time, but at the end of the day that's how professional sports are. In the Fire organization, we take everything seriously from medical staff all the way to our owner (who is a fantastic guy): he doesn't settle for mediocre or average, he wants what's best for the team. That's what this organization is about, in order to be a top level team, we need a top level organization (player, coaches, owner, and front office). Sometimes, unexpected things happen, like losing Osorio at the end of the season, but that too is part of the business.

Denis is the perfect guy for this team. This team (just like all of the guys in Section 8) bleed fire and thats exactly how Denis is, he knows what tradition, passion, and honor stand for... Just look how many years he has been with the team, he had numerous opportunities to get the job, but they passed on him every time. He has never said anything, never complained, he could have easily walked away and try to get something else, but he never gave up and got his chance this year and knowing how committed he is to this organization, I have no doubt that with him at the helm, we will be successful!

Backdraft: What do you think of Section 8 and Fire fans in general?

Bakary: Section 8 is fantastic. I mean, I don't know if they realize how much impact they have on our team, we love them. I love playing at home because the section brings such a great atmosphere. In this year's home opener vs the Revs, I looked up in the second half and seeing all these fans cheering and singing while its cold and rainy was spectacular. I love it! Matt Coyle is a good friend of mine and always keeps me updated as far as who is travelling on the road. When you see 20-30 fans at a road game, it's awesome, but then again thats what the Fire (team and fans) is about, PASSION!!!!