CHICAGO FIRE HEAD COACH – FRANK KLOPAS
On Marco’s goal…“I think the match ups were better, because that gave the freedom to Marco knowing the cover was behind him, to take a little more risk moving forward, he did a lot of work defensively.”
On the match… “It was one of those games that had momentum swings and in the end I thought we had some good chances in the second half. What can you say, it’s a great win, its great winning some these games like this, when they go your way. Like I said it’s a very good team and it’s a huge win for us, now we go back home for a home stand the next couple of games.”
On Austin Berry… “I had a good feeling about him, obviously he was excited to play. Then he starts a game I thought he played very well, I know he scored a goal, but I thought he was dangerous throughout the game for set pieces. He got in the end of a couple more balls and I thought he had a very good game, him and the rest of the team. I think they got behind him they supported him.”
CHICAGO FIRE DEFENDER – AUSTIN BERRY
Emphasis at halftime on pressuring …“I think we gave them a little too much space on the outside, and we talked about getting the guys out quicker so they didn’t have as much time and I think that helped disrupt their play a little bit and helped us get that second goal.”
Forced errors…“We watched filmed and we knew that they were kind of vulnerable on the break and we need to take advantage of every opportunity we got to get at them because they push a lot of guys forward. And I thought we did a good at that.”
CHICAGO FIRE MIDFILEDER – PAVEL PARDO
Thoughts on final moments of match… “Good, I think we always try to be protagonists of the match, especially when they scored a goal on us, our reaction was good and we began to pressure more up top, we began to win more balls in their third. I think in the second half we played better, and from the beginning we wanted to win the game, so I feel it was fair.”
On closing the game… “We knew that it was important for us to win today, so when you want to win, obviously you need a good touch, but you have to pressure, you have to know, and today it was fundamental. If we knew that pressuring we would recover more balls, they always try to play good soccer and we stole a lot of balls that generated several opportunities for goals.”
CHIVAS HEAD COACH –ROBIN FRASER
Thoughts on the game… “There is not a whole lot to say really, bitterly disappointing to give up a goal in the dying second to lose at home, is a bitter pill to swallow for sure.”
On the second half…“The second half didn’t seem to have very much flow, we were unable to connect and we had a couple good stretches in the first half and were unable to connect and create some opportunities out of it. The second half it seemed like we were unable to connect very well through the mid-field and as a result we really didn’t get the ball into the attacking end enough.”
On what’s next… “Persevere, persevere we don’t really have an option, that’s what you do. We have an abundance of players who are capable players and as a group we have to persevere. We as coaches have to, the players have to, and a lot of it is taking a good hard look at ourselves in the mirror and not shirking responsibility everyone needs to look at it and say what can we do better, what can I do better.”
JUAN PABLO ANGEL
Thoughts on first home goal of the season… “I was really happy to score a goal, but very disappointed about the final outcome of the game. I think we played well for long periods of time, but at the end I’m disappointed that they found that goal in the last minute.”
Thoughts on substitution with Jose Correa… “He’s a young guy that is going to give us a lot if we help him settle in the league. He is full of energy, his desire and his willingness to do well for the team I think is going to help us. We have to make sure that we use him the right way just to help him develop as a player here.”
What needs to be done for a W at home… “Whatever it takes. This is obviously not the scenario we were looking for. We need to make sure that we keep our heads high and we turn this around somehow. At the end of the day we are in it together, for better or worse, and we have to make sure that we get out of this as soon as possible.”
JOSE CORREA
Thoughts on first game with Chivas USA… “I think the team possessed the ball more in the first half, then because of the pressure to score a second goal in the second half, we got caught off guard in the back and Chicago took advantage of that opportunity and countered to win.”
On the level of play in MLS…“It’s more of an up and down soccer, there isn’t as much ball control, it’s a type of soccer that is little more complicated, but I feel that with time I will adapt to the group, and will do things as best as I can so I can contribute well.”
