CHICAGO (Oct. 7, 2023) - Chicago Fire FC fell to Charlotte FC 2-0 on Saturday evening at Soldier Field. Following the loss, Head Coach Frank Klopas, midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri and midfielder Brian Gutiérrez spoke to the media.
Chicago Fire FC Head Coach Frank Klopas
On what went wrong in tonight’s match…
"Well, I think it (was) two different halves. We came out in the first half, I felt that they came out with way more energy and intensity. I think you saw that. I think we weren't able to really build pressure on the ball. They had a lot of the ball, but at the end of the day, they really created not many chances, the first half. I think one ball that came out, we didn't do a good enough job on the second ball, the guy hits a great shot. But for me, more than anything, was that ability to step up. We didn't bring, didn't have the intensity, the energy in the first half. I talked to the guys at the half, we made some adjustments, but it was always about controlling our emotions and keeping it 1-0.
We came out in the second half much better, with much more energy. I think we created some really good chances, we just couldn't score. But once you give up the second goal, then it (becomes) really difficult, you know, in a way for us that we can really push the game and change it. We were kind of limited with that. It's a difficult one, when you have, at home, try to finish on a positive note right now, put ourselves in a great spot. But at the end of the day, really, nothing changes right now: we still have to go into the last game and try to get a result on Decision Day. So, a lot to play for in the last game."
On the urgency to get a result on Decision Day...
"I just think we need to win, really, if you think about it, because maybe a little bit of help, I think everyone's playing on the road. You know, that's why I think when, you know, dropping points at home, I think makes it difficult but still, the opportunity's there in the last game. I think it lines up great for Decision Day. I think it's going to be exciting, at least for two or three teams vying for those one or two spots.
In the end, the locker room is always down when you lose a game like that. But for me, it's just about the two halves, we addressed them. And you know, a lot of guys are leaving away for national team duty. I wished the guys all the luck and then the other guys, we have a couple days break and I think we just have to regroup. Hopefully, we get some guys back, with [Mauricio Pineda] and [Federico Navarro]. I think they will be a huge help because Gaston [Giménez] will be missing this game with yellow cards. So, fingers crossed that we can get some of those guys available to go in the last game. But a lot to play for in the last game and that's where we have to, you know, as down as this is, we have to look at the next game and the last one as do-or-die, I guess, and it's the same thing for us and a couple other teams."
On playing a similar lineup as Wednesday's match...
"We played at home. That was the one thing, is that the guys really didn't have any injuries. We saw how the guys recovered and I felt that I wanted to keep the same continuity. I thought about making one or two changes before that, and that's why I brought Kacper in at halftime. And then, we're really limited with what we can do. We have a lot of defenders on the outside other than Maren Haile-Selassie. Guti was good. He came out, I wanted to put Guti to start. And then Maren came in, obviously, at halftime. So our other options were just more defensive options, which you saw on the bench. But I felt good with the guys who provide continuity. We were at home, we didn't travel, so I think that was a big factor. But also, I saw the recovery and saw how they were in training."
On improvements to be made against New York City FC...
"Yeah, I think we got to really take a really good look at them and come up with a really good plan. I mean, obviously, we knew that this game was going to be different. You know, I told the guys that for me, it was going to be a much harder game; it was a different opponent. But I think at the end of the day, when I look at this game and then going into the next, I think even in the first half, we just forced and turned the ball over too much. Our ability now to be more patient like we were against Miami, and then moments in transition where we could go, we really hurt them. But I think there were moments where we were really good with the ball and we moved it; if nothing was on, we were patient. And I think this first half, we forced a lot of balls or we turned them over and we never really got in a rhythm. You know, we resorted to playing some direct or long balls and then they did a much better job just picking up second balls and then we had to do a lot of chasing (in) the first half.
So yeah, it's a small field there. But I think it's still, on the road, it all starts with our defensive organization there. We (have) to keep a clean sheet if we can. That's the most important thing and then our chances. We create chances; in the end, it's important to finish them. In this game, nothing seemed to be going in, but we got to have that mentality that it's gonna go in. But it's always, it's difficult when you give up a second goal and that's what I told the guys. So on the road, it's gonna be no different, really. Good defensive organization, being good with the ball and then, you know, it's not always going to be pretty in the field that you play there. So you (have) to find ways to win sometimes. It's about winning. It comes down to winning and finding a way to get the result."
Chicago Fire FC Midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri
On his thoughts and reflections on the game…
“It was again a final for us. Unfortunately, we couldn't bring the performance we wanted. Charlotte played with more intensity today and they had a really good game plan where they did very well and they scored two goals (on) two chances. And the penalty I don't know, to be honest, because here everything is a bit too soft every time the referees. But we have to look at ourselves and we need to play better. But today Charlotte deserved to win. Obviously we had two good chances to score. If we scored maybe one goal and then it's one zero and then it is a different game. But yeah, it was not our day.”
On if it feels disappointing after the result against Miami on Wednesday…
“I like to play, always, on Saturday and Wednesdays. You have to show up in these games, and unfortunately today, we couldn’t match the intensity especially of Charlotte. They were really on their toes and they made it really difficult. With the ball they played some good football. You saw it from the back, they played very high. You have to give credit sometimes to the opponent because they did well today and they did what they had to do. They scored two goals and then they defended very good.”
On being called up for international duty before the final game of the season and what preparation will look like…
“I think it's always an honor to play for your national team, for your nation, so I'm always happy to see the guys there. And we have very important games there to qualify for the Euros next year. But we still have one game here to play and it’s a big final, everything is open. We’ve shown that we can win in New York. So I hope we can do it again.”
On what the team can do to create more earlier in the match…
“It’s always difficult but I wish we can play a bit more offensively, that we can create more, have more of the ball and play from the back more. Of course I know this kind of football we play also in the national team that we play with ball possession, and we decided to play a bit differently. The coach gave us how to play and we tried our best on the pitch. But unfortunately, we didn't have a lot of shots on goal to be honest. It's also difficult for us offensive players to create when you don't create too much if you have less of the ball than the opponent of course.”
On if teammate Maren Haile-Selassie should be getting a look from the national team…
“It’s difficult to say because there is a lot of competition in the national team and really you have to perform at the highest level normally very good. And it has to be a goal for Maren to play one day for the national team, and we know his quality. But like I said before, he needs to also improve and to try to be more consistent and to try and give the Fire more goals and assists, of course. And I don't know if our coach watches so much MLS. This is another thing because in Europe we have a lot of Swiss players who play and who don't get called up, who play in good clubs. So it's not that simple to go to the national team. But Maren, we know his quality and he's still young and I think for sure his dream is one day to play for the national team, or to play in a big event in a World Cup or in the Euros for sure.”
Chicago Fire FC Midfielder Brian Gutiérrez
Overall thoughts on tonight’s match…
“I just think that they wanted more than us. They got to every ball and they had more possession. But we had more chances. We had the most chances, they created one opportunity and the PK. So I think we need to want it more than them.”
On if it felt more challenging due to Charlotte’s compact defensive shape and how many bodies they put in their area…
“They were a compact team that just gave it their all and they made it compact so it's hard for us to play.”
On the message from Head Coach Frank Klopas…
“He said that they just wanted it more than us. First half they only had one opportunity. In the second half we were the better team but we didn't finish our chances and at the end of the day, it's who wants it more and who wants to get to that playoff spot.”
On how the team can bounce back from this game with Decision Day approaching…
"We have to go there like it's a final over there. We have to go for those three points because that's a playoff spot obviously.”
On if the turf tripped him up in the first half…
“No. I think I was a little hesitant because I saw him look up, but he didn’t give me the pass.”
On how he feels after playing 90 minutes after recovering from injury…
“It was a nagging injury that I had this past week. Thankfully nothing happened. But little by little I’m gaining those minutes.”
