BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. (Aug. 3, 2023) – Chicago Fire FC II (7-7-7-2) defeated ATL UTD 2 (6-10-5-1) by a score of 2-1 Thursday evening at SeatGeek Stadium. Alex Monis led the way with one goal and one assist, while Victor Bezerra scored to open the match. The win lifted Chicago to seventh in the Eastern Conference pending the completion of Matchday 20.
After the match, Chicago Fire II Head Coach Ludovic Taillandier and forward Alex Monis shared their thoughts about the result.
Chicago Fire FC II Head Coach Ludovic Taillandier
On the complete team effort and getting three points tonight…
“It's a win, it's good to win. Now of course we got a little bit of bad taste to get scored on at the end of the game on the corner kick and to not be able to to keep the ball in their half a little bit to kill time there. But in general a good effort. It's not exactly in terms of what we did and the way we did it’s exactly what we planned.
We could have been a little bit better in terms of pressing. There is definitely way better that we can do. But we'll definitely take the three points. It was an important game against a team that was three points behind and that was very, very important to win. The guys will have two days off now. It's good to win before two days off, so you enjoy them a little better.”
On the team coming together in the past weeks…
“I think the mentality is good, and as long as we keep this desire to help the team and to not just be centered on ourselves. Players are not self centered only they definitely fight for the team in the moment. And I think that's great because again, it's probably not the best game we had in terms of the way we won that but it's a win and it's very important to be able to win those games, even if it's not the prettiest. ”
On how important it is explaining positives and negatives in the locker room…
“I explained to them that I'm doing my best to sound like an American but I'm not an American. I have my country also and sometimes I'm a little striking in the face but I explain to them or so that it's nothing to take personally and that's just my way to respect each player to tell them what I think. And in general they are getting better at receiving both the positive and the negative because we are able to develop players. Then by definition, if you are here it’s because you need to improve or you will always be with the first team already. I think it's important to be humble enough for the players to try to improve their game and I think they are humble enough and it’s great to be their coach.”
On the message heading into the game given the previous matchup against Atlanta resulted in a loss and how much the result means for the team…
“The message and the idea was to start strong, to play with responsibility to enjoy the game for what it is. I told them that I would like them to play this game with a fresh mind of the child they were but also with the responsibility of the adult they are. In terms of being disciplined enough on set pieces like I'm not completely happy with that.
On set pieces we conceded the first one we could have conceded the first half. Then the discipline, energy and initiative. They are like values that they need to put on the field. Their responsibilities are more than that. I told them you don't have the responsibility to win, you have the responsibility to take initiative, to play with energy, to communicate with your teammates, to respect the game plan. That's your responsibility. And we also spoke about the responsibility as a team to start the game strong in terms of communication with the teammates is not just of course, me and myself. It's me and the vibes I spread on my teammates. Like I said, it's always about making sure we are stronger as a team, because that's the only thing that really matters in the end.”
Chicago Fire FC II Forward Alex Monis
On the play leading up to his goal…
“I was in the right place at the right time. A play before that, Justin Reynolds was in a similar position and he missed the cross, but I told him to keep going and get in those spots and I was gonna be there. Luckily, the next play, he found me and I just happened to be, again, right place, right time to finish it off.”
On maintaining composure to score such a goal…
“Honestly, with that goal, the ball just kind of hit me and I was expecting it but I thought the defender was going to hit it. But again, right place, right time and as long as you're putting yourself in good positions, good things are gonna happen.”
On sharing the field with fellow Homegrown Justin Reynolds…
“It’s really special to play on the field with him and a lot of these other guys. We have good chemistry, we’ve played with each other for a long time, so I enjoy it a lot.”
On the transition from the first team to the second…
“It's really important. You know, the first team coaches tell us to go here and make an impact and that's what I did today. So I was happy to help the team get a big three points and move up the table.”
On his outlook for the remainder of the season…
“I think for me, just continuing to stay consistent, taking advantage of my opportunities when I go with the second team and then if I get any opportunities with the first team, just do my best and at the end of the year, we'll see what happens.”
On his year to date…
“Yeah, it's been a difficult year, a lot of changes. It's been a grind, but I just try and stay positive and work hard and I strongly believe that as long as I have faith, that I can make an impact with both groups, that good things are gonna happen.”
