Veljko Paunovic, Chicago Fire Head Coach
On playing defensively at home
“We have to keep our clean sheet, that’s what we wanted. We saw in the first two games we have to be more solid defensively so I think we did a good job in our defense. We tried hard to score and push a little higher in the second half. We did have some opportunities but still I believe the team performed very, very well. I’m very happy with what the team did today defensively. Obviously we always want to win but it was more difficult today but also we had a great opponent. We have to know that this is a team that was the finalist last year, a team that has very good individuals. They play as a team also, they are long time together so very, very good opponent.”
On starting well
“We have to prepare well for the game and that means conditions, weather. In the first game we played against the wind in the first half, this time we won the draw so we wanted to play with the wind in favor so all these kinds of thing for us in order to start well for us. It’s very important, it’s very serious. You have to build the team with a good defense first and then move from that point. We started, maybe otherwise, but our team the last two games improved defensively where if you remember the questions and the answers were the first game we have to improve defensively, we improved defensively. Now the next step is possession and realization, the scoring.”
On playing a five-man back line
“We played this formation in the last game too until Michael Harrington was sent off. We played against New York FC in this formation. We played against Portland in the tournament in the preseason the same formation so this is what we believe fits better in order to perform well so we’re improving from that point. I think we only conceded two goals since we played in this formation but it’s not that, it’s what we have. This is our team. We play the formation we believe is the best to get points, to win points, to win games and our setup is always to win. Today I think that we needed more clarity, more possession and that’s what we missed. In order to get some of the opportunities, sometimes you need to counter attack and you also have to have a good possession of the ball and that’s what we lacked of today.”
On playing without David Accam
“David is very important for us. Obviously he is quality in the counterattack with his speed and talent is very important for us. Without him, we didn’t change, we played the same system, the only thing is we played against a very, very good team and this is what you have to understand. I believe we were very focused on our defensive plan, our game plan, which I think we did very well and this is it. I would say for the next games we have to improve now to score goals, to create more opportunities but defensively we have it. This is the performance defensively that we need. The season is long so we’re building and improving and for me it was a good defensive setup.”
On players slipping on the field
“I think the same thing happened in Orlando, same thing happened first game so it’s something that has to see with the cleats. I believe the players and the staff have to check our cleats better in order to avoid that in the future.”
On the status of David Accam
“We believe that he will be ready for the next game. He is healing and will miss his international call with Ghana which is, for everyone, something very important, but I think the most important thing is his health and we believe that now he has to stay and the medical staff will work on him and recover for the next game.”
On the status of John Goossens
“He complained he had some hamstring injury problems so we pulled him out from the game. Hopefully we have to check now to see all the tests results from the medical so we see how he performs. We will see this week once he’s exactly sure or if there’s an issue for the next game or weeks to come.”
Matt Lampson, Chicago Fire Goalkeeper
On confidence with a meshing team
“With each start, particularly in goalkeeping, confidence comes from playing games. Not only have I grown in confidence in myself, but I think the team really has started to gain confidence in me. Just like with confidence, with each game, it's getting better and better at gelling, and I think our defensive performances have been a testament to that. Defensively, today was fantastic, a team effort, and every single guy in front of me was playing their heart out. I think it's now time to focus in on the possession, I think that's what we lacked today. One of the first questions today was, 'Why were you so defensive?' I don't think it was on purpose; I think it was because we lacked possession, we had to defend. With a growing team, which is what we are, just as confidence, it's going to improve with every game, and that's exactly what we plan on doing. With each game, it's gotten better and better, our performance as a team. It's exciting to be a part of it, and it's exciting to see.”
On communication with the defense
“It's constant. As a goalkeeper, I do my job 100 percent if I don't even have to touch the ball. That's organizing, that's the first job of a goalkeeper, organizing the team and defense. One of the assets I had today was knowing and being very familiar with Columbus' style and what they wanted to do, and it made organizing even easier. A few times, they liked the through balls in the first half, and that's one thing we fixed, then they didn't do it in the second half. One of the biggest things that we harped on today was 'no cross, no goal.' They barely got any service to Kamara today; that was a huge coaching point that we had, and we locked him down. He hardly had any opportunities. Against a team like that, if you deny their top scorer, it's going to be a good result, and we got a zero from it. Once again, credit to those guys, because as soon as the ball went wide, we were on top of them. It makes my job a whole lot easier if we are organized and working hard.”
Jonathan Campbell, Chicago Fire Defender
On what went well for the defense
“I think we marked up well in the box, we were a lot cleaner with our clearances. We didn't give them any chances, and the shots that they took were far out of the box, so I think we did a good job with that.”
On team chemistry
“I think even in preseason we were doing well. I like the team chemistry, I think it's going well. I think everyone feels that way.”
On defending against Kei Kamara
“We watched the film, and they tried to put a lot to his head. Deep in their half, they'll try to clip balls up there. On that one, we'd go up and attack it, or we'd drop back and try to win the second one, with Ethan [Finlay] running off different guys. In the box, farther in our half, we tried to deny the cross so that he couldn't even get a chance with it, but made sure we marked with him the whole time, and always had a guy running with him in the box.”
On adjustments from first to second half
“We were too far spread out, we were worried about them getting the ball out wide at first. We needed to pinch in tight, and that's what we changed up; it allowed them to play wide first, and then we could go out and press from there. We had to start in tight and then move out.”
On the work of wing backs Brandon Vincent and Rodrigo Ramos
“It's a tough position for them. They have to get all the way up to their outside at times, and then also drop in and be the outside back on their weak side, so it's very tough for them. I think they did a great job with it.”
Brandon Vincent, Chicago Fire Defender
On being called up to the U.S. Olympic qualifying team
“I'm really excited, it's a huge honor and I'm really thankful for the opportunity. I had to focus on the game today first, and now I'm looking forward to representing our country and representing Chicago. We head out tomorrow, so quick turnaround. I'm just trying to keep my head down and work hard my whole career. I get the opportunity now, so I'll take it and will go forward with it.”
On defensive improvements
“Every game, we have to adapt to our opponent and what their tendencies are, and do the best that we can with the scout. But it's different once it's game time and you see it in real life. Once we get our scout down and see the real thing, we keep that communication well in the back line and everything works out.”
On the challenges for the wing backs
“That's what they want to look for: they have a big target in the box. [Ramos and I] did a good job marking him, as well with the center backs, then getting out wide when we could and denying the crosses. It's a big focus in the game, and I think we were successful with it and keeping the shutout.”
