QUOTE SHEET
Chicago Fire FC 4:0 Houston Dynamo
Match Recap
Chicago Fire FC Head Coach Raphael Wicky
On the win giving the team more confidence going forward…
“I was very, very happy about the way we played and obviously the result following it, finally. Results always give confidence to players; at the end of today, you get confidence. But I also liked that the team actually didn't lose confidence from the last result, which didn't go our way, so that was very positive. Like I said, it gives confidence, the players rewarded themselves for the whole work they put in every day, they put in in the games, and actually today, rewarded themselves with scoring goals and not conceding goals, not making easy mistakes, not giving up easy chances. So that's good. Now, look, they have to enjoy this tonight, they should enjoy this, then from tomorrow on, we prepare (for) the next game, that's how it is."
On the field conditions at Soldier Field…
"The playing surface was actually good. I think they did a really good job after the (Chicago) Bears played. We were happy with the playing surface and it was good that the field was a little bit wet; obviously when it's wet, the ball always rolls a little bit faster, so I'm very happy with that. They can leave it every time like that, we won 4-0."
On the decision to play Ignacio Aliseda out wide…
"Yeah, it was a thought from me and my staff. Obviously, when you can find Nacho (Ignacio Aliseda) isolated out wide, he can hurt a lot of teams. He's good in 1v1, he's pace-full, but he's also good when he (comes) in from a wide area, coming inside into the half spaces. So he did that really well in a lot of moments in this game. He actually worked well also defensively. The other point is, I wanted one extra midfielder there with Fabi Herbers underneath Robert, which gave us a lot. We know what Fabi gives us, but also not only with the ball, but also defensively, Fabi helped Álvaro and Gastón to actually close the center better than in the previous games."
On if this was the team’s best 90-minute performance of the season…
"Yeah, I think so. I think, in general, it was a really, really good performance, it was a mature performance. I knew that going into the second half, we can't expect to see the same half as the first half. I mean, the first half was almost perfect. I think Houston didn't really have much going forward. We were really aggressive, well organized, we were really good with the ball, we had chances to score even more than three goals. So that was basically the perfect half and you can't expect to have the same half again. But I was very happy with the way the team managed the second half: not giving up chances, not giving up, still looking for the third goal, having a little bit less possession, that's not what we wanted, but then, having a clean sheet and being very matured and well organized. So yeah, that was a really good performance today."
Chicago Fire FC Defender Francisco Calvo
On the win giving the team more confidence going forward and the playing surface at Soldier Field…
“I'm going to answer the second question first, the field was really good. We are happy to play at Soldier Field. The first one. I think it's a great result, (before tonight) we were not the worst team, now we are not the best. We are just an honest team, always trying to win, always want to perform well. Sometimes things don’t go our way. We’re just going to keep the momentum. On Sunday we have another big game at home. We're gonna get three points, we've got to make (things) better at home, we're not going to drop any more points at home, hopefully. So (we) just have to be humble. The things are going to come if we just work and we commit.”
On building on tonight’s win...
“It is because of the result. You know, sometimes the results are not through. Sometimes we lost, and we played really good. Just because we lost 2-0, you guys think that we play really bad. No, because then you go and watch the videos, and you can watch the game and maybe you manage the game really well. You have a lot of opportunities and that's why I say: we were not the worst team before, now we are not the best. We just know what we do. We always try to perform well, we always try to get the win. Sometimes it doesn’t go our way. Now we have to enjoy the moment, we're happy to win. Enjoy tonight. And then set our minds on Sunday again.”
On the differences between playing with Jonathan Bornstein and Miguel Navarro…
Miguel is a young guy with energy. He knows the position really well. He can play left winger too. Johnny has a lot of experience. Johnny knows the role, Johnny knows the position really well. I feel really comfortable with both. They both communicate really well, and both are really great players, I mean, they really helped the team in those kinds of moments. And when Rapha makes the decision, I'm happy with both because both really work hard and play well.
On who he dedicates the victory to…
I dedicate the victory, first of all, to God, and then to my family who is here in Chicago, to my son, my mom and my brother. And to this group, who I think deserved a win like this. I think that the group deserved to be able to sleep well, to be able to smile, because we have been playing well and things haven’t been going so well but we hope that from now on we’ll get ahead.
On whether Houston was unable to contain the Fire in the middle of the field…
“Let’s see. I think that in the first half we played a spectacular first half. We pressured them, we played well toe-to-toe, we played out from the back, we scored the goals. We scored three goals. It was good. The first half was very good. The second half, your legs start to get a little heavy, but we still managed well, we had opportunities, we scored the penalty. Houston is a very respectable team. Houston is a team with very good players. Today, thankfully things went well for us and, as I said before, we’ll enjoy tonight and tomorrow we’ll put our mind on Atlanta for Sunday.”
Chicago Fire FC Forward Fabian Herbers
On scoring all three of his goals this season at Soldier Field...
“I mean it's just a great stadium, great field, great team effort. Overall, I think it's credit to the team that after those tough results in the past, we come back strong like this and then we actually show what we're capable of, you know, when we play well. When we finish our chances offensively and when we stay compact and don't give up easy chances defensively. And I like this place. Scored again, happy about that, but more happy about the three points and we just got to keep it going now in the next game against Atlanta as well.”
On being able to get consistent results and building off tonight…
“Yeah I mean I’d rather win four times 1-0, than then one time 4-0. But now we got to keep it going, the momentum was good, I think, like I said we showed what the team is capable of if we stay engaged, and stay positive, with good energy on the field and be better on both ends of the field. I think we can get another three points against Atlanta and then we can really make a playoff push in the last final games, final nine games that we have in the season. So hopefully we can keep this going against Atlanta and then get another three points there. That's the objective.”
On playing different positions this season and if he has a favorite position...
“I like this position very well. I don't have a favorite position. I think every position has its ups and downs kind of. But in this particular position, the number 10 role, I think I communicate well with the forwards, with Beric on how to press, and then defensively Rapha asked me when we're under pressure to help defensively as well. To come in as an aid and help Gaston and Alvaro defensively to close the midfield and I think on both ends of the field it worked well. I certainly think the team overall had a good performance and I'm happy to play in that position as well.”
On what he’s expecting against Atlanta…
“To be honest, we haven't analyzed anything on Atlanta yet. We sort of solely focused on Houston. Haven't watched too many matches, but I think we'll prepare during the week, watch some video on Atlanta. I mean the next game is in four days. So, yeah, we'll analyze that. I can't tell you too much about Atlanta but we’ll try to keep the same style. You know I think we played very attractive football, especially in the first half today, scored four good goals, one unfortunately was called off. And even if we get the handball in the box, we could have been up 5-0 in the first half, you know, which is an impressive performance against a good Houston side. So, overall, we prepare and try to play the same style against Atlanta.”
