Mbokazi is in line to make his Major League Soccer debut this weekend against Houston Dynamo as one of four South African players currently on the rosters of clubs in the United States top division,
Fire coach Gregg Berhalter has long had an association with Berg and trusts his judgement on players, which includes Mbokazi.
"It's no secret that Flemming and I have had a long relationship over the years,” Berhalter told the South African Football Journalists Association (SAFJA). “And there are times when we ask him about a talent in South Africa and there are times when he comes to us.
“But we watch a lot of games in the South African league and we're able to understand the talent on the field."
Berhalter also explained the rationale behind bringing Mbokazi to the MLS, and how they are sure they have a talent on their hands.
"I think the first thing is that we're looking to strengthen our team. One thing we looked at is areas to improve, and we identified center back as an area. And that's where through scouting, through connections in South Africa, we were able to identify Mbokazi.
"And then we watched his games and watched what he was able to bring. And it was very exciting that a player at this age can play a leadership role with his team, can be playing for the national team.”
Mbokazi’s move to Fire has not been without critic, mostly famously Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos, with many believing he is already at a level to be playing in a top five league in Europe.
But the 20-year-old says he wants to take things slowly and go step-by-step, and says that if he is meant to play at the highest level of the club game, it will happen in due time.
“It was a bit hard during that period when a lot of people were talking about my move,” Mbokazi said. “What people need to understand is that it’s not easy to move to a higher level. I am young, and I am still growing. Things will happen at the right time.
“I have to take things step by step. I will eventually get to where I am destined to be. We can’t jump steps and move to a certain level just because that’s what people think. You can’t rush to get to the top without cementing a solid foundation.
“Where I am at the moment, that means this is where I should be at this moment, and it’s the right place for me at the moment. I don’t see any problem with me being here (in the MLS). This is part of my development and growth.
“I will eventually get to where I am supposed to be when the time is right. I will not rush to move up.
“I am grateful for the chance that I have been given, and I will grab it with both hands so that I end up where people think I deserve to be playing.”
Mbokazi is expected to debut this weekend as he has played in most of Chicago’s pre-season games, but Dithejane, 21, arrived after preparations began and will be hoping he might get a chance off the bench.
Meanwhile, Bradley Carnell will be looking to continue his quest for coaching success in the MLS this season.
The former Bafana Bafana fullback had an outstanding debut campaign at Philadelphia Union in 2025, finishing top of the table at the end of the regular season but then losing in the post-season playoffs. He was named Coach of the Year.
He had previously achieved the same with expansion side St. Louis City in 2023.
Union are away against DC United in their opening game of the MLS on Saturday, having won 5-0 in Trinidad & Tobago in midweek in the Concacaf Champions Cup.
Olwethu Makhaya, 21, scored in that game. He was a regular for Union last season and is expected to feature prominently again this campaign.
Bongokuhle Hlongwane will be starting his fifth season at Minnesota United, where last campaign he was converted into a right back on occasion but still spent most games in an attacking role.
The 25-year-old scored 11 goals in MLS action in 2024 but notched only three last year, figures that he will be looking to improve on. Minnesota are away at Austin in their opening game.