CHICAGO (July 12, 2023) - Following the exciting 3-0 victory over CF Montreal, Head Coach Frank Klopas, Goalkeeper Chris Brady, Midfielder Brian Gutierrez, and forwards Georgios Koutsias and Missael Rodriguez spoke to the media and provided their insight on Wednesday night's victory over the Canadian side.
Chicago Fire FC Head Coach Frank Klopas
On the collective performance in light of early difficulties...
"I think as a whole, again, I talked to the team and how important it was from a collective standpoint for us to have a good performance again. I think I've told you guys that it's not about one or two guys. I think as a team, I think we had another good performance. We started off and it wasn't easy out, the preparation going into the game. I think that the rain delay, I think that you never know how teams, both teams come out. And it's one of those difficult matches midweek that, maybe the atmosphere, because of the rain, a lot of fans stayed away and the energy level was missing, so it was important that we stay focused. And then you know, we had the situation with Carlos Terán that we had to make a change right before that. So, it just throws everything, the plans that you have, and we had to adjust quick, but the guys came and again started the game really well.
Guti [Brian Gutiérrez] and [Georgios] Koutsias worked extremely hard again. But there was a lot of other excellent performances, I don't want to single those two out. I think the important thing is that, you know, we got three goals, another clean sheet; another good performance, solid performance from the team. I'm extremely happy that we were able to get also Missael Rodríguez, another Homegrown player, to give him an opportunity to get on the field in a difficult moment and he responded really well. So, I'm really pleased and happy for that."
On having multiple forwards in a strong run of form...
"Yeah, I mean, I think it's always about form, you know? You see how guys are in training. You see how they are in games and you make decisions based on that. The thing with Koutsias, he can play out wide also and come inside as a second forward, that's also his strength. But you can just see that with the minutes he plays, he looks sharper. So, I think those are really good options. Don't forget also Kacper [Przybyłko] is an option here. And now, it's good that young guys like Missa have stepped in and performed really well and it's important for everyone to continue to be ready, because it's still a long season to go. It's important to stay grounded. I know we've had a really good start, second [half] of the season, but we're nowhere near where we want to be. We got to stay focused, stay grounded and continue to work and focus on one game at a time."
On the versatility in the Fire roster...
"I feel good and we're still waiting for, I think any day, for [Ousmane] Doumbia to get his visa back and then come in here. So, he's going to add more quality and good quality to the team. That's good, but you saw how quickly things can change, because Carlos Terán came out right before the game; had to be very cautious with Gastón Giménez again at halftime; Brian Gutierrez, you know, had to take off. So it's, you know, in one moment, you feel good and then the next moment you can have three, four guys [out].
So, right now, I'm having my fingers crossed, hopefully that Gastón and Guti are good to go for Saturday. But it's always really good when those other guys do step in and they do get minutes and they step in and play really well. Jairo [Torres] did an excellent job coming in. It's not normally his role, playing with two, but he was very good on the ball and he gave us some composure with that. And yeah, it's great to have some good options like that, with guys that have versatility – with him and also with Alonzo [Aceves]. So that's great."
On the status of injured players...
"Yeah, Federico Navarro, he's still out for– I think the plan with him and the goal hopefully will be– he's not going to be ready for Saturday, I don't think so, unless there's like a miracle or something. But I think that there is a break after that and hopefully that he will be ready once we come back. I don't know if he'll be ready for Leagues Cup, we have to see. But after this game Saturday, we'll have a little bit of a window, a couple of weeks before the Leagues Cup games and stuff like that. So we'll see. But if he's not ready for Leagues Cup, he will definitely be ready, then, for the next, I feel, MLS game. But you know, I wish we could get him sooner.
Chris Mueller is basically done, maybe for the season, we'll have to see – he's long term. And then evaluate how Carlos is. I can tell you right now, we have to assess tomorrow, do an MRI and see what he's feeling. And then, hopefully with Gastón and Guti, they will be okay."
On being in position to make the MLS Playoffs...
"I mean, obviously, it's always good when you look, that you're above the line. But you can just see where the numbers are, everything is right there in this league. On a given day, anybody can beat anybody, you know, so that's the thing. So, I think we have to enjoy this moment. I think it's normal, but we have to stay grounded and get back to work, because like I told the guys, that it's great – we've had another good performance, we need to continue, we need to be hungry, we need to continue to work hard.
And that's the key. This game will be behind us tomorrow. There's another opponent Saturday and I think it's important, all in the preparation. We know what our goals are and we know, we keep reminding the players, you know, what is it going to take to get there: nothing less than really hard work and hard work from the whole team. And if we do that, then I think we'll reach our goals."
Chicago Fire FC Goalkeeper Chris Brady
On how the team was able to defend the lead…
“I thought it was, once again, another amazing effort by the backline and all the boys up front. I think we’re definitely learning from our mistakes in the beginning of the season by not sitting back and conceding as much space, especially when we have a lead. So as you saw in that second half, we keep pushing for opportunities. We did have a few solid chances. It really puts them on their heels, it makes them feel more and more like the game's over and you can look at the clock, it's at like the 70th minute, you could see some of their players start to go, ‘it’s over.’ So that's exactly what we want to do. So, overall, a really good fight from the boys.”
On how he handled the rain delay…
“Those are always tough. I was always talking. I don't touch my phone. I chatted with the guys for the time that were sitting around, waiting. Playing two touch and catching up, but I try not to touch my phone. I try to stay here as much as I can. So that, you know, it's all in-house, focus all of that. That's at least what I do. I don't know what the other guys do to focus but that’s what I do.”
On what a clean sheet does for his confidence…
“Yeah, I think it always does, having a clean sheet going into a game in the next week knowing that the last week you've conceded none is a massive help to your confidence. Because you feel like you know that feeling and want to replicate it. So definitely a great motivation when you keep that zero and I know it's a huge motivation too for these guys because it's the worst thing ever to give up a goal. So when you don't, you can see it on all their faces too, they're extremely happy.”
On the penalty in the first half…
“So I didn't actually see the claimed handball. If it was, if it wasn't, I don't know. Picked up the ball. I remember I sat on the line and most of their players often wait and see which way the keeper would move or lean to prior to when they hit it. So I did my best to just stand still and go to my designated side for that specific player. Obviously, went the wrong way but thankfully hit the post and then you know, right as he hit the post, what went through my mind was to get up as quick as I can in case there's a rebound or it bounces to one of their players again. That’s always what happens.”
On the Brady chants from the fanbase…
“It's a little new to me, to be honest with you, but it's a good feeling to know that the fans are behind me. And hopefully we get some chants for that backline in front of me because they're doing a lot of the work. But, you know, it feels really good.”
On being above the playoff line…
“It feels good. For us, I think obviously, every team wants to be above that playoff line. But I think a key thing for us is going to be to not acknowledge that at all. I know that sounds weird. But if you remember back to the last time this season, we went above that playoff line, I think, not that we let it get through our heads, but there was a little bit too much hype around the fact that we were above the playoff line. So a big thing for us is going to be staying humble, working hard, taking it game by game and you know, just continue to progress up the table. Not really looking into the specifics of where you are in the table or where you might not be. I think that's going to be a big thing for us that's often hard for players, especially on this team because it's really exciting when you’re above the playoff line. But yeah, it's going to be key for us to stay humble and acknowledge it, above the playoff live, then move on to the next game.”
Chicago Fire Midfielder Brian Gutiérrez
On his emotions scoring his first goal at Soldier Field…
“Oh amazing, it’s a big relief. Something that I dreamed of, honestly. Thankfully it was today. I just gotta keep going. And thankfully we won and we got the three points and we keep climbing up the table.”
On how he feels taking responsibility to create goals…
“Obviously, that's what you want to do as an attacker – score goals, but you have to get yourself in those situations. And I think I've gotten myself [in those situations] these past few games and I just need to be more cool, calm and collected. And that's what I did today and it was in the back of the net. Hopefully there's more to come.”
Chicago Fire FC Forward Missael Rodríguez
On how his debut went and felt even after the rain delay…
“Yeah, you know I was ready. We were talking about the chance of me debuting and I was mentally prepared but with the storm it gives you some jitters for the game to start already but, always ready.”
On the feeling right before entering the pitch for the first time…
“Well you know this is my childhood club, since I was little I’ve always supported the Fire so for me to debut for them is something I have a lot of pride in, not just for me but for my family and everyone that’s supported me.”
On being a Homegrown player and role model for Chicago kids…
“Yeah I always thought since I was a kid this would happen, it was just a matter of time. All the hard work and sacrifice not just from me but from everyone around me. This means a lot as now I can be an example for the kids in Chicago and they can see that if they have that dream it can definitely come true.”
On the thought process while seeing all the goals roll in for the team…
“When I started seeing all of the goals, it kind of clicks, I mean you’re always ready. I mean you’ll put on all the stuff to warm up, you’re on the bench, you’re always locked in and mentally ready. So I mean when I saw the goals come, I was like ‘whoa this might happen’. So it was great, a great feeling, it was a relief to finally get in and get my debut.”
On his friends and family in attendance…
“My mom didn’t come because of the weather. She knew it was going to rain and I was like ‘No, you should stay home, I don’t know if you want to come and get wet’. But my dad came out and some of my other family and a couple friends came out to support. I couldn’t find them but they were out here.”
On knowing that he’s ready to push forward and press in the MLS…
“It’s something I’ve been working on throughout this year-and-a-half that I’ve been signed. So it’s a feeling where I’m proud of myself. Obviously when you step in, you see the level that it’s at, I still see that I have a lot of work to do to be even better. So it’s something that I’m very happy for.”
Chicago Fire FC Forward Georgios Koutsias
On his feelings of his performance and the result…
“I’m feeling very good, tonight was a fantastic day, we won, we took the three points at our home. It’s very important to continue like this, to work hard. Tomorrow we have training, we must improve some things and then we’ll continue like this.”
On the importance of the game against Toronto this weekend…
“Yeah it’s very important. We need to continue like this, work hard and to play the next game like this one. After that we have Leagues Cup and, that’s it, we want to win, always.”
On the confidence growing game after game…
“Yeah, every game is important for me when I play because I gain confidence. Today it was nice, I made two assists…one and a half assists, (Xherdan) Shaqiri touched the ball and stole one of my assists but it’s okay, the most important thing is the win. It’s very important to continue like this and go forward towards the playoffs.”
