Veljko Paunovic, Chicago Fire Head Coach
On giving up an early goal
“We look forward. For us this game is already behind us. There are good things and bad things that we can take from it. We have to look forward to our next game, which is in just a couple of days. It is for us the most important game of the season. So we have to leave this game behind as soon as possible and we have to recover. We look forward to our next game it’s very exciting. It is the most important game this season for us so far and we believe that if we do well in that game then we will have another game, like a final of the Open Cup. That’s it that’s all I have to say. That game was not a game we expected, good things, bad things, we just need to move forward.”
On Solignac playing his first game with the Fire
“He was very good we are very happy with that. Unfortunately he cannot play in the Open Cup because he is cup tied but he was good for us and for the team. It was good for them to get to know each other, to play with each other for 90 minutes. We decided we had that opportunity to give him those minutes because we expected him to be important for us. So he needs to get to know our style and our players. It’s a great opportunity for us to have him here especially with the first half I think he did well. The second half he was maybe a little bit tired having that negative result. We tried hard in the second half but we have to move forward.”
On holding certain players out
“Yes we always want to win. The issue we have on our squad we have to manage the best possible way to start with the lineup we started. I believe we had enough proof that we wanted to win this game with thus starting line up. Our mind is the next game and that’s how we always play. Like I said we are looking ahead to our next game and we are very excited. We have to recover from this loss and we have to recover the spirit and the positive energy in order to prepare well.”
Luis Solignac, Chicago Fire Forward
On his first game with the club
“I mean it is tough to come the day before and play but I think the second half I got in touch with the guys, we got to know each other so we will improve day by day.”
On the positives of the game
“I think that we bounced back in the second half. The attitude was totally different and we got a goal. But after we conceded one right away but I think we had a good spirit and that’s a positive thing.”
Arturo Alvarez, Chicago Fire Midfielder
Thoughts on the game
“I think the first half was not our best half. I’m proud of the guys especially the response that we had in the second half I think we came out the first 15-20 minutes trying to play, trying to keep the ball. We created some chances off of that and scored a goal. We just have to keep pushing and take that from the game. I think the second half was a good half and we have to keep playing like that. Especially against New England on Tuesday for the Open Cup semifinal.”
On his goal
“I saw Nick [LaBrocca] getting on the ball and he always plays a good ball in the box so I kind of made my second post run. He played a perfect ball and I just had to make sure I hit in on target.”
On his 200th appearance
“It was something that I was thinking about during the week but once the game started I put it in the back of my mind but it is great. I’m happy to play my 200th game and hopefully I play many more. It’s a dream come true to play in MLS when I was 17 and now I’m 31. So I’m still enjoying the game and I’m going to keep doing it until I can’t.”
