MLS Regular Season
Chicago Fire vs. New York City FC
Toyota Park – Bridgeview, Ill.
March 6, 2016
Veljko Paunovic, Chicago Fire Head Coach
On the performance of goalkeeper Matt Lampson
“I think he worked for the team. He tried to perform the plan we prepared so we’re happy.”
On the selection of Matt Lampson in the starting lineup
“It’s day-by-day move. Both of them were performing in the preseason. Matt had his opportunity against Portland and the team felt comfortable with him playing at the goal and playing out of the back. In the first half I would say we didn’t read the game well because there was a lot of movement against us and we tried to do what was our plan and that was moving it out of the back. But still we have to be smart in those situations and we have to adapt. But still Matt, for me, he did very well. He tried to do his best. He’s always giving the best of him so that’s what we ask of him and all of our players.”
On not being able to put away chances
“I think that’s something we have to grow. For me, the good news is that we are creating so much chances, so much opportunities. But still we have to score those goals. Those are so important, especially for games like today. Defensively we did not have the performance. Not because somebody was bad, for me it was a was a great team and they really played really good, great players like I said before. We have to be more efficient. We’ll know more about that. Like I said, we scored three and when I say we need to be more efficient it means that we had a lot of opportunities. Again, I would like to congratulate our players and our opponent, who were great today and everyone who participated today.”
On whether Gilberto was injured or if he was subbed off tactically
“I do not know what happened, he had a tackle with a defender and then he started to complain about his calf. We need 100 percent guys on the field and especially when we can move him to the side before the second half started, he can play because we were switching the system from a 4-2-3-1 to a 3-4-1-2 and it worked very good but we are still concerned about his situation and we have to see his medical tests and see if he can be available the next game.”
On how well the defense meshed together
“I would say defensively, I’m not saying defense, or four guys or three or four or five guys at the back, I’m talking about the whole team defensively, we have to work together and the teamwork is what it takes to defend well. So I think the guys at the back in the first half they had issues especially with Villa and other guys but I think they adapted, they adjusted the second half much better. We conceded one goal but it’s the first game and we will improve.”
David Accam, Chicago Fire Midfielder
On his play after a limited preseason
“Of course I missed a lot of preseason games, but I had a good, solid week of training, and I felt I was good to play. It showed today; even though my finishing wasn't good, at least I gave my best for the team. I'm encouraged for what I have seen today.”
On chances in the final third
“On the attacking half, most of the guys did really well, we created a lot of chances. In another game, we would have finished with four or five goals. For me, I'm excited on what this team can do.”
On the team's philosophy in loss
“First of all, I'd like to congratulate New York City FC, they took their chances really well. But for us, I think we played very well, more so the players giving their best to the team. This is just the beginning of our philosophy; even though we lost, we wanted to do more. It works sometimes, but of course we make mistakes. These young players will learn, and will hopefully improve for the next games.”
Brandon Vincent, Chicago Fire Defender
On debuting in MLS
“My professional debut, of course I'm a little nervous. But it's nice to get it under my belt, and I'm thankful for the opportunity to play with these guys today.”
On the team's mentality during the game
“We were always trying to go for the next goal. That was the mentality, we wanted to fight until the end and not give up. So I think we did a good job today.”
On allowing four goals
“Yes, of course, it's disappointing. Our job is to defend and not let in goals, so giving away four is tough, but looking forward, that's what we'll work at.”
On the potential to make the MLS Playoffs
“First game of the season, we showed that kind of fight and determination, the fight to the end. I think there's a lot of potential for this group and I'm looking forward to being part of it.”
Patrick Vieira, New York City FC Head Coach
On the team’s performance:
“I think it was a really good team performance. I strongly believe we are not at our best at the moment because it was the first game of the league. We will get better and stronger. But I am proud of the team because when we went to a difficult [formation] especially in the last 15-20 minutes, we stuck together and we worked hard.”
On what impressed him most:
“That we stuck to our philosophy, the way we want to play football. I think at times we played some really good football. I think our play from the back was good. We created chances and that’s the way we want to play this year. I was really pleased with that.”
On the team playing a wide open game:
“That was the type of game I was expecting because when I look at Chicago Fire, the games they played in the preseason, we saw a well organized team. Those were the type of game we were expecting - difficult games. Both teams I think worked really hard today and we managed to come out on top. That was good. It wasn’t easy and I am sure that if we keep working hard we will go really well this year.”
New York City FC Midfielder Thomas McNamara
On his first goal and first team goal of the season:
“I don’t even remember how I got the ball but I knew that I had enough time and space to take a touch and wrap my foot around it and hit it back post. When it came off my foot, I just knew that it went in.”
On whether it’s one of his best goals scored:
“Last year was pretty close. Maybe a little further out but the same type of shot.”
On exploiting the space the Fire were giving up in the midfield:
“We want to have good spacing on the field. And so as a midfielder, you need to find that space to get the ball to the rest of the guys.”
On what he saw from the Fire defense that he was able to attack:
“I thought when we were able to switch the ball we were able to expose them a little bit and it gave us a bit of an advantage. I think that was when we were most dangerous.”
