Postmatch Quotes
Chicago Fire 2:1 New England Revolution
Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016 • Toyota Park
Veljko Paunovic, Chicago Fire Head Coach
On today’s win
“I think for us it was, as we said after the game on Thursday, that for us it was a great game and very important for us to win the game, so we can play our last game at home in front of our fans. I know it was a hard season for everyone but at least we could grant them this, a good win. I think the team played very good. Again, we started very well. They tied the game and then we came back again. As a team we played very hard. We were down one man, I think the character and the identity that we forged this year was there. And as we said always – we play all our games to win, all our games until the end, and in the end this was one of our best games and I really appreciate the players, the effort they had during the whole season. During the whole season and especially today in the game, it was huge. I also want to say thanks to our fans who are, during the whole year, with us and supporting team and we look forward to improving and get better for the next season.”
On what was said in huddle after game
“Well, pretty much the same as we just said here: great effort. We appreciate everything we did in today’s game and having one game left we got to think about it too to win, we have a good opportunity to finish the season in the best possible way. This is not our last game, just last game at home this season. We still have one game to play and as we are professional, as we love this game, and we want to always have the right attitude towards the other professionals in the league and we have to play the next game to win. The other thing we said is just to appreciate our fans altogether and that’s what we did.”
On sense of urgency shown today
“I think that the team had a great response today setting that goal to win the game because of our fans and being the last game at home this season. Also, I think that we are not done. We have one more game and it’s important for us in the next game against Toronto that we really forge that mentality, that we are talking about the whole season which is – we never give up, we play hard, every game is about the win, and we have to be on the same page. We cannot go to Toronto and just see what happens. We have got to go with our game plan we will prepare during this week. And then play the game to win. With that said, I think it’s very important to know that we have to finish the season on the positive side and then we can, during the offseason, continue building and working with the guys on their individual plans and everything else that we have to do before they go for vacation and then when they come back they have to come back better than they went home.”
On possibly knocking out New England from playoffs
“Honestly, we play for ourselves – for our club, for our colors, for our crest, and our fans. I think that’s the most important thing. We did use the urgency that they had to win the game to manage the game from the standpoint where the players did very good but we never motivated our players we got to win the game because that’s going to hurt the others. We proved in this game that we are professional. I think that’s very important towards the other teams, as I said before, and for the league, which is very important that we keep that, and that’s how we’re going to play the next game too. We will do everything to win the game and we just motivate with our own goals.”
David Accam, Chicago Fire Midfielder
On the victory
"I think it means a lot. For me, the fans deserve much more than what we have given them this season. Today, it was all about the fans, about us giving everything we had in the pitch for the fans. That's what we showed today, we went in to win it for the fans, and we did it."
Matt Polster, Chicago Fire Midfielder
On playing for the fans
"I think for us to come in and put a good performance like that in and show the fans, give them something. To be completely honest, it hasn't been a great season from the standpoint of results. To come here and finish our last game on a positive note, to give the fans something, is good."
On team character
"We're a good team, I really believe that. To stop them from getting into the playoffs, a team that really wanted to get there, I think that shows a lot of character."
On next season
"I think things are still coming together. It's been a long year with a lot of turnover from the beginning of the season. I know it's 33 games into it, but I think having too much turnover every year is tough just in general. If we can get a core group of guys, keep this team for next year, and fill off that, I think you're going to see something a little bit different. I think having more chemistry together as a team will help us."
Michael de Leeuw, Chicago Fire Forward
On winning the last home game of the season
"I think it means a lot. We all knew how the season went, and we just wanted to give something to the fans. I think it was a good game, good first half, and at the end, we put a win on the board."
On the opening goal
"Brandon and David set up the attack. Brandon keeps his vision on the field and he saw me wide open. He delivered a great cross, and for me it was easy at the end."
On New England's red card
"It opened a lot more space. Before their red card, they had more space, we were defending. You know you can hope for one or two chances, but it's going to be difficult. After their red card, we're taking over the game as we're taking over what we did in the first half. We did it after their red card, and at the end we put the three points on the board, and that's good for us."
On the difference between halves
"I think the first half is exactly how the season went. We got a lot of big chances, we played good, but one mistake and it's 1-1. I think in the second half, we did great again, we came good out of the dressing room, but the red card was disappointing for us. At the end, with their red card and the goal, it all worked out well."
On wearing the captain's armband
"Not really. I think there's only one big leader and that's Sean Johnson for me. It's good to have the band on your arm, but everyone is just themselves. It's not like I'm acting different when I have the band on my arm, it's just who I am."
