Veljko Paunovic, Chicago Fire Head Coach
On the confidence exhibited against LA
"I think we did a fantastic game. I'm feeling very sorry for our guys, they're disappointed that we couldn't get more from this game. I think the performance was fantastic. I think we finally feel we are where we wanted to be all this year, we can finally field a team that can beat anyone in this league. I'm feeling proud of our guys, feeling proud of pushing hard until the end. A very important thing is that we played against one of the best teams in the league, and having that performance against them means a lot for the confidence, not only the game that we won in Montreal, which of course was a great boost for us, but most of everything. It's that feeling that we were looking for that we didn't have before during this season, never before. Now, finally, we have it; we can win, we can play, we can enjoy the game. It's not frustration, it's more expectation from every play, from every situation. Every time that we are close to the goal, every time we build out of the back, we have expectations. More than that, we believe it's going to happen. We always believed, we always said that, but now finally, you can see it, you can see it coming, and you can see this team is growing."
On the open nature of the second half
"We didn't want to open the game, but the point that the game was open, you have to take advantage of it. I think the guys close to me on the sideline, the message was, 'come on, let's get it, push forward, we're not liking this one, let's get another one.’ It's very important sensations we had on the field. In every attack, in every counter-attack, whatever situation for the goal, we were actually very, very close. Again, we feel a little bit disappointed, but I think we need to look very positive to the performance we had today. That's what we were looking for all season."
On the team's response to adversity
"I think it happened earlier in the year; we came back a couple of times in the Open Cup and I believe it was against New York Red Bulls. The way we came back, and how fast we did that, I think that is something that is very positive for us. Again, against a great team, it even counts more. As we said, during this year, we were working hard to get to this moment where we can actually feel as a real team, a team that can best anyone."
On planning for Giovanni dos Santos
"We always have a plan for anything expected in a game. As for the unexpected, we have the players, preparation, the intelligence and talent to face it. Be it against Giovanni or others like Keane or Gerrard, we are prepared. The plan was our teamwork against any individual work, to help each other in having bigger numbers up front, making connections, covering, and more."
On the game plan
"Of course, we always want to win, and I think it must be said that the team must adjust as the situation dictates on the field. We must take decisions that we find convenient. I think our plan was, and Brandon can confirm it, to go for and score the third goal in the second half, to stay in their half of the field, and firmly maintain our defense, which we do well at home. That frustrates the opponent, when a team doesn't let you breathe, and it counter-attacks effectively. That is frustrating, and I think that is what we managed to do not only tonight, but in others games. It's a part of the style and identity we have now.
On the fan support
"I want to thank our fans for the great reception today. I think it was great to see how they supported the team, especially in that moment when Luis Solignac had that great opportunity that he missed. Everyone was disappointed, but the reaction was fantastic, applauding and giving him support. Same thing from the players, I think that's important to see."
Brandon Vincent, Chicago Fire Defender
On focusing on defending against talented individual players
"Every team has talented players, but I think the way we prepare as a group, when we care about us and our gameplan, we focus on that. We face whoever we face, that's just the way the league is. It's a matter of going out and fighting whoever we are playing against."
On fans being part of the team
"It's huge, it's everything. Our confidence on the field comes from the fans, comes from the group, comes from everybody. It's a team effort, the fans are included, they're part of this club, they're part of this team's success, when we have it. We do everything we can to make them proud. We just try to keep fighting, and their support is everything for us."
Arturo Alvarez, Chicago Fire Midfielder
On creating more chances in recent games
“I think it’s confidence. I think everyone is going out there and enjoying the game and believe it or not, I know everyone has talked about not winning away and we were able to do it in Montreal and it was a great performance from everyone overall, so that game alone gave everyone that boost that we needed and I think it showed in this game as well. Unfortunately it didn’t go the way we wanted it to but that’s LA for you, they find a way to get back into games and they did this time.”
On the offense picking up after the Galaxy scored
“I thought maybe the fact that we knew that we could beat them, so we said we can’t go down a goal and put our heads down, we know we can play against anyone. We know that we can score goals, we did it against Montreal and in other games, so that’s what we did. We created a lot of chances, went up 2-1 and unfortunately that third goal didn’t want to go in at the right time and then LA got that bounce.”
On searching for the third goal and not sitting back with the 2-1 lead
“That should be the mentality. I think once we’re up in the result, we have to make sure we kill the game off. There’s been too many times when it’s 1-0, 2-1 and we’re kind of holding there, and the next thing you know they’re tying it at the end of the game, so we’ve got to keep pushing for that third goal to make sure we kill games off.”
