Frank Klopas, Chicago Fire Head Coach
On the game today
“I don’t think the team was that different but it’s a tough loss. Obviously, a great opportunity at home Wednesday night playing at home, the fan support was fantastic. Sometimes it’s one of those games where those little things don’t go our way. Obviously the goals given up late and then the start…but we pushed and we had some chances that didn’t go in but what are you going to do. Definitely it’s going to hurt us tonight and for tomorrow we have to regroup and now really focus on the league because we’re right there and some big games are coming up to put ourselves in a spot in the playoffs.”
On what D.C. did differently today
“I don’t think they were that different. Pretty much their back line was the same other than Jakovic. We played this team before the way they were. I just think the little things went our way [in the last game vs. D.C.]. Obviously this was their whole season they put into this. I think our guys were ready, we competed, for sure Patrick [Nyarko] coming out I think at that moment with his head injury had a little bit of effect with his ability with pace to stretch the team. We were a little bit different [after he came out]. Look, we had chances and sometimes it doesn’t go your way but I am proud of the group. It’s disappointing right now, obviously a great opportunity one more game to go to the final. We talked about it, we put a lot into it, and it’s going to be a hard night but tomorrow it’s a new day and we have to move on and get ready for Montreal.”
Gonzalo Segares, Chicago Fire defender
On D.C.’s first goal:
“The goal they scored was unfortunate, then we were fighting from 1-0 behind to get back into the game.”
On Pat Nyarko coming off early:
“I think that was key. Patrick [Nyarko]was creating a lot of danger over there, he and Dilly [Duka] are very dangerous players – we had a lot of opportunity on the flanks, and having Patrick come off was one the keys for them, even for us. Losing a guy like Patrick is definitely a tough situation and made a difference, that’s for sure.”
On D.C.’s motivation to win this game:
“Every game is different, because their season has gone so badly, so they have extra motivation to get into the Finals. Today they were the better team and took advantage of their chances and that’s what made the difference.”
On putting the loss behind them to prepare for Saturday:
“It’s always tough to lose in the semifinals, we always take this seriously. From the first game we played we used the starting line-up, and every single game had the starting line-up so that shows how seriously we take it. We were pretty excited to come out today to try and get a win and go on to the Final. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen and now we have to turn around, lift up our heads and tomorrow get ready for Montreal. We are still in the hunt for the playoffs and we have a key game on Saturday on short rest and we have to be mentally ready for sure.
Jeff Larentowicz, Chicago Fire midfielder
On the difference in D.C.’s play from the last time they played each other:
“The difference between this game and the last time we played them is that we scored early. It was a tight half – this is a different game, it’s a cup game, so it’s probably going to be tighter. I thought it was even in the first half, they scored on a mistake. Then in the second half I don’t know how we don’t score. They scored on a deflected shot, I thought they were a little fortunate tonight, but overall I thought it was fairly even.”
On Nyarko’s injury:
“Pat’s [Nyarko] a dangerous player. Even in the period he was on the field he was dangerous. Joel’s a very good player and a dangerous player, a different type of player, but I don’t think it was a big difference.”
Sean Johnson, Chicago Fire goalkeeper:
On the first goal and contact:
“Yes [there was contact], I think he did a good job getting in position where he could challenge. Looking back, I should have probably just punched through it. I thought I could have collected it, I thought I got a good jump, but there was a little bit of contact between me and the ball at the same time. Credit to him, I should have just punched it away, I should have done better.”
