Quotes:
Chicago Fire Head Coach and Director of Soccer Frank Yallop
On the performance
“It was very good. I think you have to look at the game as a neutral. It was a pretty even game with chances, and I thought we played well tonight. We created some very good opportunities, but if you look at the quality finish from Graham Zusi—a terrific goal, great strike—nothing you could do about that one. And then we’re chasing the game, trying to get back in it with minutes left and then obviously a good finish by [Dom] Dwyer. All in all, I was pleased with the performance, thought we created enough chances to get at least a goal. The one chance that fell to [Matt] Fondy at the end, I thought we could have done better with it, not hitting the keeper. But having said that, we are where we are because of that. We can’t really get the chances to go when we need them, and when teams seem to look like they’re going to get a goal, they get it. It’s a weird feeling, but all in all, I thought we played well enough to get something out of the match. As we have a lot of games this year, with our ties, we’re in every game. And it’s proved again tonight: we were right there, toe to toe and we didn’t quite get it done.”
On the frustrating season
“I don’t want to make excuses—I never do—but there weren’t a lot of options to change things when I came here at the beginning of the season. But now I’ve seen the team for a year and I think we’ve coached them to their potential. It’s not quite good enough to win games, so we just need to add some quality in the right areas and I think we’ll be decent. I’m excited about the prospects of that.”
On the game’s back and forth action
“It was end-to-end, so I think a lot of teams come in here and try to soak it up and catch them on the counter. I think that we just tried to play the game and I think we did enough to get something out of it. So our tactics won’t change for next week. We’ve played pretty well all year, like that, and not gotten the results that I’ve felt we deserved. But the table doesn’t lie and we’re second to the bottom with five wins out of a lot of games played, which is not good.”
Chicago Fire forward Quincy Amarikwa
On the match
“I think [Andy] Gruenebaum is the man of the match. He came up with some amazing saves that kept his team in it. In the end, [Graham] Zusi came up with a really good goal and the rest is history.”
On Chicago’s objective heading into the match…
“To continue doing what we are doing all year: to focus on bringing guys on the counterattack and hopefully joining in on the second phase. Unfortunately, Zusi came away with one of the best strikes I have seen all year and we were on the tail end of that. We really pushed for it at the end. We went to three at the back to try and get it. Fondy had a really good opportunity in the end, but Gruenebaum came up with another big save.”
On the back and forth action
“Kansas City really likes to open up the play and catch teams on the counter, and I think we kind of got sucked into that on both sides of the ball. It’s exciting for the team and for the fans when it gets to that point. We were hoping to get some goals in but were unlucky to not convert.”
Chicago Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson
On the match
“It was a tough one. I thought we played well. I thought we had a good span of possession in the first half. We had plenty of chances but unfortunately [Andy] Gruenebaum played extremely well tonight. He was the man of the match for me. It was a great strike by Graham [Zusi] and he followed it up with a great ball as well. All in all, it’s disappointing we lost, but I think we played some good football tonight and it’s something to build on for the rest of the season.”
On Chicago’s focus over the final two games
“For the last couple games of the season, it’s really important for us to stay focused on the coach’s message to go out there and end on a good note. We owe it to ourselves and to our fans. We have had a long season and we always have to have a positive outlook. We have everything to play for, especially the crest on our chest.”
Notes:
- With the result the Fire move to 25-13-11 all-time in regular season matches against Sporting Kansas City.
- Defender Bakary Soumare will miss the match against D.C. United due to yellow card accumulation.
