Chicago Fire midfielder Pavel Pardo has heaped praise on head coach Frank Klopas for the impact he has made so far this season.

The Fire currently sits fourth on the Eastern Conference table after Klopas permanently took the job that he temporarily stepped into when Carlos De Los Cobos was sacked in May last year.

Pardo feels that Klopas' international experience and time spent with the USA national team as a player has helped the Chicago club improve from a non-play-offs side last season.

"That is important when you play at a high level, when you play for the national team, when you play international games," said the former Mexico star. "You know about the competition.

"Of course every game and every training is about pushing the guys. For me, it's very important to have a coach with this mentality."

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