Veljko Paunovic, Chicago Fire Head Coach
On the match:
“First, I want to wish Clint Dempsey a full recovery as soon as possible. I think he’s very important for this country, for the soccer here, and for the Sounders. That’s our first wish.
On the game:
"I’m really disappointed and sad for our guys because we did a huge job to play against one of the best teams the way we wanted to play. I think the game plan went well, but unfortunately we conceded that goal. It hasn’t happened too many times this year on set pieces. Like I said, it’s especially disappointing because our guys played with pride today. We played very consistent and I think we had our opportunities. We need to convert better. I know it’s late in the season now, but that’s what we expect of our team – to have the mentality that we play every game to the end.”
On David Accam’s play tonight:
“I know that he can do better. He has some more to give, but he did well, like the rest of the team. We always want more from our guys. We always demand more because we know that they can give it. As I said, in the same way as the rest of the team, he was consistent in working for the team and he was trying to score goals, which is very important for a striker.”
On how difficult it is to prepare for the size of Chad Marshall and Román Torres:
“I think it’s part of the game. We play against many guys of their size in our league so it’s not an issue if we have the right defensive attitude. We defend in a zone [on corner kicks] so everyone has to be very alert, very prepared to react and cover his zone. And when a man comes into your zone, you have to defend one-on-one. I think [the goal] is the only play where we missed and that was enough for the winning goal. But, as I said, [set pieces are] not an issue.”
On pressing high after the Sounders scored:
“I think we did a good job. As I said, we wanted to press them to stop the progression through the midfield to get the balls to [Nicolas] Lodeiro and [Jordan] Morris. We knew at some point they were going to start playing long balls and we were ready for that. We did a very good job in transitions. Every time we recovered the ball, we were fast in trying to get to the final third and convert the opportunity of playing…in some situations three-v-two or four-v-three. And I think we did well in everything, except the last pass in the final third. More than anything, I think we had a couple of good opportunities in the end. David Arshakyan had two, which could have been converted.”
Arturo Alvarez, Chicago Fire midfielder
On playing with pride in these last few games:
“I think playing with pride is the most important thing of all. I think our chances of making the playoffs with this loss are gone now. We have to play for pride. Every game that we go in, we have to go in with the mentality to win the game, regardless if the playoffs are out of the picture already. It’s a game and we have to represent our club to the best of the ability that we can.”
On how the offense is clicking:
“You know the last few games we have had a lot of opportunities. Unfortunately in some games we have not taken advantage of those opportunities and that has hurt us. Today was going to be a tough game. We knew that Seattle was going to give it their all. They are pushing for the playoff spot and they are at home. Today didn’t go our way, but like [Pauno] said, we played with a lot of pride and that is all we can do at this moment.”
On playing in Seattle:
“Even now, especially, they have turned their season around and they have their momentum going their way. Obviously the crowd is always behind their team. It is always great to play here and so they have that extra motivation for every home game. It is part of the game. I think it was a solid performance for us and I think it was tough for them.”
Razvan Cocis, Chicago Fire midfielder
On tonight’s match:
“I think it was a good game for us even though we didn’t have a good result. We gave away a goal and then we tried very hard to get back. Everyone did a good job and good work. I can say we had a good game.”
On pressing Seattle to limit chances:
“We tried to stay compact and let them play out of the back with their central defender. We tried to block them in the middle and once they played back we wanted to press them. I think it worked. In the first half they had the possession, but I think we did a good job being close and having short lines and being close to each other, recovering the ball and having a counter. I think we could have scored.”
On playing with pride in these last few matches:
“Well it is very important. It’s important for each person, for each player, for each staff. We need to prove that this is not the place we should be. We have had a lot of good games this season, but this is where we are now. I think the last impression will count a lot. It will count for us in this season and the next season. Individually and as a group we just have to keep going.”
