Veljko Paunovic, Chicago Fire Head Coach
Thoughts on the match
“Still a lot of optimism because, I think we did great today. I think the game was fantastic, we pushed and we wanted to win. From the first second of the game, it was difficult. There was a very good opponent in front of us. We just didn’t convert our opportunities. There were a lot of very clear opportunities to score but the performance, spirit, and the way we played, I think we should be happy. We just move forward. It’s a great opportunity for us to continue improving from where we were at the start of the season. From where we are now, we can see that the team improved a lot. Now we look like a team, play like a team, and we really compete. It was tough. Tough for us to lose the game and we wouldn’t even have been happy if we would have tied the game. I think that’s how the locker room feels now. We wouldn’t be happy with the tie, so I think we not only have an optimistic group but a group that wants to win and knows how to win. From now on, we just have to improve. Nothing else. There is a constant search to be the best we can be.”
On the amount of possession
“Of course, when you have the ball, that means that you will have more opportunities to build on and create something. In this case, we only scored one goal but we have to look for more opportunities.”
On the possibility of the result being different had David Accam started
“Probably, it would. That’s something we can’t go back and regret because the decision was mutual. We spoke before the game. David said that after the break with the national team and the long travel, he didn’t feel like starting. We want our guys to participate in the decision, especially when it comes to his physical state. Of course, we’re very happy with the guys who played. I want to congratulate them.”
On possibility of David Accam starting against D.C. United
“Like we always say, there is a week to go of training and performances that you have to show on the practice field. And from there, what needs we have for the next game and what is going to be our game plan.”
On what was said after the second Toronto FC goal
“I think that doesn’t matter. We just have to adjust to what is happening on the field. And we just have to learn from mistakes. We move forward. Everybody makes mistakes and if we learn, then that’s fine.”
David Accam, Chicago Fire Midfielder
On how he felt after returning from international duty
"I feel great. I was happy to go on the pitch to help my team, but it wasn't enough. Personally, I feel good."
On being ready for the next match
"I think I'm always ready. It depends on the coach, but for me, I'm always ready when the coach tells me to go on the pitch. Mostly, it depends on the coach, what formation and tactics he wants to use, so I'm good."
Michael de Leeuw, Chicago Fire Midfielder
On the mood in the locker room
"Of course it's a downer, because I think the first half, we played very well. We created chances and at the end, we did this to ourselves. It's s--- that we lose 2-1, because I think we created six 100% chances."
On the overall performance
"In the first half, we played very good, we created chances. In the second half, after 75 minutes we tried, with David [Accam], more of the long balls. I think we did well, and if we played this every week, we're going to win. But sometimes, you lose when you play well, and a game like that was today. We played well, we created chances, but at the end, we have nothing."
