Chicago Fire 4:1 San Jose Earthquakes
Quote Sheet
recap
Veljko Paunovic, Chicago Fire Head Coach
On overall thoughts about the game:
“The team achieved a great, great victory today. Very important win obviously. If I’m not wrong we clinched today. So that’s the great achievement for the whole organization, the whole club. We are proud of our guys and very happy obviously, but we also know we can go and try to get the best possible position in our conference, which is our next goal. Now we have immediately in a couple days, we play against one of our direct rivals, New York City FC, who did very well today. We have to get our guys, obviously today enjoy, celebrate, but we have to start our recovery as soon as possible and tomorrow fly back to Chicago and prepare for the game Saturday.”
On the play of Nemanja Nikolic:
“Obviously happy for Niko scoring two goals, but I’m going to say this over and over again: Niko does his job and everyone else on the field, when we all do that, then we get points. But we get goals, we win games, but the most important thing is the team.”
On the team’s impressive ball movement:
“I think the guys were, they knew what they had to do. We spoke about it, we prepared. I think the guys were very motivated. We had a very good team meeting today and we just moved all the rocks on the road and the guys performed fantastic. Huge credit to the guys. As I said, very proud of them. But we still have to try to get the best possible position and we have to play the last three games like never before. Now we don’t have the pressure of the playoffs, we finally clinched and now it’s very important to take out all the talent we have, put everything on the table, get the best possible position as we look toward the playoffs.”
On clinching the playoff spot after the team’s struggles in recent seasons:
“It’s great. This locker room did a great job so far and as I said the guys were amazing. Huge credit to them. Everyone on the club obviously is working and doing their best but they needed to see and these guys had to do what they did. They had to do it on the field. When that happens, everyone else believes. But everything comes from the locker room, everything comes from the players and that was very, very important to see the performance this year, which makes everyone in our environment and also our fans to believe in what we are doing.”
Djordje Mihailovic, Chicago Fire midfielder
On scoring his first MLS goal
“It’s an unbelievable feeling, but we’re just focused on playoffs right now. We clinched playoffs tonight and that’s what I’m looking forward to, more than the goal. It’s a team game and just can’t believe it right now.”
Dax McCarty, Chicago Fire midfielder
On clinching a playoff spot in his first year in Chicago:
“It’s a fantastic team accomplishment. I think if you want to be a successful club in Major League Soccer, it should be the bare minimum expectation every season is to make the playoffs and give yourself a chance. So, really proud of the guys – mid-week game, coming out to the West Coast against a team that’s in a situation where they had to win as well. Short rest, just a tremendous performance by our guys tonight. By far not only our best performance on the road, but one of our best performances of the season, so it’s a great feeling to make the playoffs on our own accord and not with other teams helping us out. It’s a great feeling. For me, winning is a habit, and you just need to make sure that you continue good habits. I think it’s a tremendous achievement for the club, but now this is only one of our goals, we need to continue to push forward and try to accomplish another goal.”
On making his 300th MLS appearance:
“It’s amazing. I just found out about it a day or two ago. I knew I was up there, but I didn’t know that tonight was going to be the night, but it’s hard to put into words what MLS has meant to me and for my career. I never take any of it for granted, ever. And 300 games, it’s a great accomplishment. I’ve tried to step on the field and represent the clubs I’ve played for with class and dignity and I hope that I’ve done that. I’ve joined the 30 club this year, 30 years old, but I feel awesome and I’m hoping I can continue to go on and maybe get 300 more.”
