CHICAGO (April 16, 2023) – Chicago Fire FC II fell 2-1 against Philadelphia Union II on Sunday evening at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois. Chicago is currently in sixth place in the Eastern Conference, while Philadelphia sits in 10th place after earning their first victory of the season.
Chicago Fire FC II Head Coach Ludovic Taillandier, midfielder Harold Osorio and forward Missael Rodríguez shared their thoughts on the match following its conclusion.
Chicago Fire FC II Head Coach Ludovic Taillandier
On the consequence of conceding penalty kicks…
“Well, that was two different halves, of course. I think it was a good game, I think they played well. I think in the second half, there was a PK. Of course, I disagree with the call, but it doesn't explain what I would call an average performance. If it wasn’t the PK, it would have been a free kick. We gave them too many opportunities on those kicks – even though the PK’s were probably the wrong decision, but it's not easy to be a [referee] – I won’t put the rest of the game on the ref. I will try to analyze the video to know what we should have done better because, of course, the second half is not as good as we expected. We didn't create many chances in the second half. There's probably things that we need to do better.”
On creating more quality chances late in the match…
“To create chances, you need some qualities to bring the ball from the back to the front. We have sometimes displayed this quality. We faded a little bit along the way and definitely, we need to be better at building from the back, to bring support to the front to start waves. [Afterward], we can and we should do better, of course, in these 1v1’s at the front because it's a team sport, but we need the individuals to make a difference. Missa scored a good goal but yes, there is also something here we can do better on – those 1v1’s in the front.”
On having six different goalscorers this season…
“I mean, look, you see it positively; I'm not sure if I would like it better for my striker to score eight. But you know, yeah, we can create chances from different players, from different areas of the field and that is something interesting. Like today, it was a turnover high up the field, which is something we try to do in general, to create those turnovers and create chances from them. That's definitely something we need to do more. And in general, in the physical fight today, I would watch the video but I think, I suspect we didn't match exactly, we didn't match up with the opponent today.”
Chicago Fire FC II Midfielder Harold Osorio (Español)
Acerca de iniciar de titular por primera vez con el Chicago Fire FC II…
“Me sentí muy bien, muy cómodo en la cancha. Creo que para ser mi primer partido empezando con los once titulares, creo que he podido manejarlo y estoy muy contento por eso.”
Acerca del apoyo que ha recibido en redes sociales y por la afición en El Salvador desde que llegó a Chicago…
“Yo estoy muy agradecido con todas las personas que están al pendiente de mi en El Salvador. Siempre voy a estar agradecido con ellos porque son los que siempre están. Más que todo mi familia, mis amigos en El Salvador. Siempre voy a estar muy agradecido con ellos y, bueno, trabajar para no defraudar.”
Acerca de qué aprendió hoy y cómo se preparan para enfrentar a Atlanta en el próximo partido…
“Si es una derrota muy dolida. Creo que debemos mejorar en el último tercio. Creo que tenemos que manejar más la pelota. En lo personal me voy un poco alegre por el juego que realicé pero no me quedo satisfecho porque pude haber hecho más, y a aprender de esta derrota.”
Chicago Fire FC II Midfielder Harold Osorio (English)
On starting for the first time with Chicago Fire FC II…
“I felt very good, very comfortable on the field. I think that for it being my first game in the starting XI, I think I was able to manage it well and I’m happy about that.”
On the support he has received on social media and from fans in El Salvador since arriving in Chicago…
“I’m very grateful to all of the people who are keeping an eye on me in El Salvador. I’m always going to be grateful to them because they’re the ones who are always there, especially my family, my friends in El Salvador. I’m always going to be very grateful to them and, well, work so I don’t disappoint.”
On what he learned from the match today and how he prepares to face Atlanta in the next game…
“Yeah, it was a painful loss. I think we need to improve in the final third. I think we need to control the ball more. On a personal level, I’m a little bit happy because of the game that I played but I’m not satisfied because I could have done more, and now I have to learn from this loss.”
Chicago Fire FC II Forward Missael Rodriguez
On the sequence that led to his first goal of the season…
“Yeah, I mean, that's our identity as a team. We kind of feed off of those moments, those defensive mistakes, those high pressing moments. I saw a clear opportunity to high press and to get it in. Of course I have the 1 on 1 and I have to finish that.”
On how he brings the energy to the team throughout an entire game…
“Yeah, I mean, it's the commitment of the team. To trust the team, continue the work you put in throughout the week. They recognize it and obviously they rely on you as a nine to come in and put in the work and of course I understand the responsibility. As a nine, I’m the person who starts the press to lead them and show that energy so everyone can feed off of.”
On how his goal helps boost his confidence moving forward…
“I mean, it's always good to get a goal as a nine, you know, that's your job to score goals. So it's very good. Would have been better if I had the result but definitely, you know, that's something that can come into next week confidently.”
