MLS Regular Season
Chicago Fire vs. New England Revolution
Toyota Park – Bridgeview, IL
Frank Yallop, Chicago Fire Head Coach
Thoughts on the match
“Obviously, a disappointment to end the game, we looked a bit laggy and not sharp first half. Maybe, it was because of our game Wednesday, I would think so, I haven’t talked to the players but I would think Wednesday took a bit out of us. But we hung in there and got the goal at the end of the half and I thought we in the end we didn’t play particularly well but we got the goal and then gave it straight back to them was just so disappointing. Huge error at the back, for the guys as a group we got back into the game and then we go on and score a, I thought was going to be the winning goal. I didn’t really feel they created a ton of good chances, nice possession and they had four shots on goal something like that and got two goals. The last goal is not good, I just saw it again, Adi’s got to clear it and he just lets it go, I don’t know what to say after that. You know, it just cost us the game.”
On looking to trade the rights for Didier Drogba to Montreal
“I have no updated on that, I just finished the game. I haven’t spoken to anybody before the game. There is no real update until there is one. I have not spoken to anybody, you know, I just finished the game. There might be an update tomorrow; right now there is nothing there.”
On Matthew Watson’s performance
“I’d probably say first half nobody really well but I thought Matty drove on second half and did a nice job, I think he played very well midweek as well in the Orlando game in the Open Cup. He did well tonight in the end. It was a tough game and I think we had an emotional night Wednesday and I am not making excuses but we just looked a little flat and I wouldn’t use the word tired because we shouldn’t be tired, we should be on our toes from the start but we just looked a little flat from Wednesday. Again we did enough to get back in the game, we were winning 2-1 in the 75th minute at home and didn’t feel the opposition was looking and they were dangerous at times but so were we. Just disappointed.”
On Razvan’s play driving the team back from a 1-0 deficit
“Raz has been playing great. Again, it is so disappointing you can see the soft goal and it so easy to clear it. I don’t know why Aid didn’t clear it; maybe he didn’t get a shout. It seemed like he got a shout from somebody, obviously I haven’t asked him so I don’t know. He’s just got to clear that and play on for not playing particularly well. A lot of teams find a way to win that don’t play particularly well, especially in our league. In many games like that, we play against teams that beat us and I don’t think they played very well and they win. So we should have been that tonight.”
On preparing for FC Dallas
“I haven’t thought about it right now, but obviously we will scout them going into the start of the week. They are a good side. We played Seattle and did okay against them, so hopefully we can do the same against Dallas. The thing for me is we got to let this go and get three points next Sunday. You know it was there for us and it was disappointing we didn’t get three points, which would have helped us and we would have a good week then, semifinal in the Cup and three points at home in the league. Things are looking more up, we dropped two points tonight and we’ve got to try to get three next weekend.”
Shaun Maloney, Chicago Fire Midfielder
Thoughts on the match
“I think overall a draw was probably fair, I think New England was a pretty good side tonight. Think once we got into the position at 2-1, to lose a goal so quickly hurt. I think overall was pretty good, but obviously getting to 2-1 and not holding on for long enough.”
On lacking energy due to the midweek game
“No I don’t think so. I think you have to give a little bit of credit to New England, and the way they played from the start. Their wide players tucked in and outnumbered us in the middle of the field, and we were fortunate probably to go in 1-0 to score late on. They played well and we showed up to match them at times, but I think losing the goal so quickly after scoring I think that’s the disappointing part from the team’s point of view.
On if the Drogba situation is a distraction
“Absolutely none. We’ve all been a part of clubs we’re there has been speculation of players leaving and going and that’s not something that has a detrimental effect on the team.”
On how he feels after coming back from injury
“Yeah, better again from the last game. I’m pretty happy with how I was feeling. So, a step up from last game.”
On taking the positives from going unbeaten in two games
“It’s difficult to look at it like that at the moment. I think Orlando was definitely a positive and there were patches today that were positive, but we’re right into the middle of the season and obviously its points that we need. Now that everyone is healthy I don’t think there’s any excuse for us not to pick up points, particularly at home.”
On now having eight days to recover after a congested stretch
“For some players, like Harry who has obviously played a lot of games and the players that have been pretty much relentless are looking forward to a bit of a break, but for the rest of us just coming back its more time to train and look forward to next week.”
On if the team is still in the playoff chase
“I think so. I haven’t seen the results from tonight. Yeah, I think we’ve been on losing streaks, we’ve been on winning streaks earlier in the season. I had to say Orlando was a positive and obviously doesn’t feel like that tonight. I think the talking has to stop we have to start doing it now.”
Razvan Cocis, Chicago Fire Midfielder
Thoughts on the match
“This is the way we’re doing till now cause we’re winning then we’re losing. I can remember Orlando we’re winning 2-1 and New York leading 2-0 and come out 2-2. So there are some points we lost where we’d be better in the table.“
On re-watching New England’s equalizing goal
“No, I haven’t seen it yet.”
On his goal
“I think it was off a corner kick and we just keep putting it in the box. Matt had a shot deflected and I was just in the right spot and put it in. It wasn’t too easy to put in because it was high, but I managed to put my heel up and put it in.”
On preparing for FC Dallas next week
“I think we prepare the way we prepare for every game. The coaches will analyze everything and tell us everything, what we have to do. We’re going to practice what we have to do. We’re doing a good job until now, it’s just we sometimes lose our concentration and give up some points.”
On wearing the captain’s armband
“Oh yeah, it wasn’t expected the first time I received it, I’m not so old in the team only being here one year, but I’m happy and honored to be the captain, but it is just until Jeff is coming back and Mike is coming back. So it is just for the moment.”
