Signing his Homegrown contract was a big step for Mauricio Pineda. After coming through the Fire academy and playing four seasons at the University of North Carolina, Pineda will start his professional career with the franchise that trained and developed him.

“It’s been good,” Pineda said. “It’s been welcoming to the club for sure. It’s exciting to be back with the team after leaving for 3 1/2 years for school. I’m excited to finally get started.”

The signing was also a big step for the Fire.

Though Pineda is currently one of six on the roster, the Fire had trouble signing the most promising Homegrown prospects under the previous regime. In recent years, the Fire didn’t ink three highly regarded potential Homegrowns: midfielder Cameron Lindley, defender Andrew Gutman, and goalkeeper Damian Las.

If Pineda, a 22-year-old defender/midfielder had gotten away, it would have continued that trend. But the club and Pineda held talks after his 2019 UNC season ended, and a player talented enough to be a top 10 draft pick officially joined on Jan. 17.

“I think it means a lot to any club that it could sign players from their academy,” Pineda said. “As long as the players have that same drive to be part of the club, I’m sure the team is very happy to have Homegrowns be part of their first team. I’m excited. I’m happy I was able to work it out here with Chicago so I’m excited to get going.”

There were also questions about whether Pineda would sign for another reason.

Pineda’s brother Victor signed in 2010 as the Fire’s first-ever Homegrown player. Over five seasons, Victor Pineda had some injuries and struggled for playing time, making four senior appearances and none until 2014.

“I was there for four years and probably didn’t get the games and minutes I had hoped for,” Victor Pineda told NASL.com in 2016 before he and the Fort Lauderdale Strikers faced the Fire in the U.S. Open Cup. “I think if I do get the chance on Wednesday, it’s a little motivation for me to show they were wrong in their decision or I’ve improved since my years there.”

Pineda said his brother did guide him somewhat, but mostly let him make his own decision. And as Pineda pointed out, the Fire are much different now than six years ago.

“I think now it’s just in terms of playing, that (Victor) gave me better advice just to keep working hard and don’t back down to anything basically,” Mauricio Pineda said. “Just be optimistic about everything and being with a team and make the best out of the opportunity that I have.”

Pineda has an opportunity to contribute now.

Pineda spent most of his time in college as a central midfielder but played center back when he was in the Fire academy. The roster, or any roster, could use someone with Pineda’s versatility. And he’s playing under coach Raphael Wicky, who has a background developing youngsters.

“I think that’s good for me, for any other young player,” Pineda said. “You always like to see that going into a new team and you like to see that background that (Wicky) has. It’s definitely a plus for me, so I’m excited about it and I’m looking forward to working with him.”