Chicago Fire head coach Veljko Paunovic
Overall thoughts on the match
“It was a tough match for us. First of all, congrats to SKC for the win. We conceded two in the first half, in my opinion too easy. We weren’t sharp. We weren’t aware defensively. We committed mistakes that a team like Sporting Kansas City was not going to just let it go away. We are disappointed obviously, but I think we had a good reaction after the first goal when we conceded and then scoring the goal. Then we established our possession and we started to play the way we wanted but then again second goal was a difficult moment for the team. We wanted to recover well for the second half and what we said in the locker room at halftime was that we have to start strong, we cannot allow another goal and actually we did everything opposite. Good reaction after the second goal. We had opportunities and were close to tying the game. I think that is positive about us but still we are not the Chicago that we were and we are still looking for our best form to come in the coming weeks. We have to keep working hard and stay positive. Still a lot of things to put together and get better so we are going to keep working."
On the lift that David Accam provided when he entered the match
“David [Accam] obviously scored the goal, it’s an important goal. It was a great cross by Patrick Doody, it was a good assist and yeah he had the opportunity to tie the game. Another great build up and great cross from [Matt] Polster. Yeah of course, David is important for our team."
On the All-Star break
"It is an honor to be the All-Star coach and I’m looking forward now. That’s our next game and I’m looking forward to prepare the best we can. Prepare the team to be competitive and to represent our League the best possible way world wide and I just can’t wait for the opportunity to come next game."
On Zusi and Besler back in the lineup for Sporting KC
"Obviously very good players. They helped their team. We prepared to play against Sporting Kansas City and I believe we conceded three too easily. Two goals in the first half and the third goal was too simple. We weren’t at our best and we have to improve."
Chicago Fire midfielder Dax McCarty
General thoughts on the match…
“Sloppy game from us. Not good enough. Second goal right before halftime killed us and took away all the momentum that we gained last 15 minutes of the first half and then concede another sloppy goal in first couple minutes of the second half. Then you're chasing the game from there against a good team.”
On where the breakdown was tonight…
“It was execution. You score two goals against the best defense in the League on the road against the keeper that’s playing the best in the League right now, you should probably try to defend and not concede three goals if you want to come out with a result. But that’s not the case, we defended very poorly and that’s what you get. The first goal is my fault. I’m trying to be cute and head the ball backwards because I think we have defenders there and I put a guy in on a 75 yard run unimpeded to our goal where he gets in the box and scores off a deflection. Second goal, guy comes through in the box, cross, Lampson makes a great save. We don’t win the second ball, goal. And then the third goal, a guy's just standing in the box with the ball at his feet six yards from our goal and we have no one closing him down. So I think it’s pretty simple where the breakdowns occurred and it’s not just with the defenders or the midfielders or the attackers, it’s with the entire team.”
Chicago Fire midfielder Juninho
On team’s performance tonight…
"I think we did a decent job playing against a very good team. Sporting Kansas City have been very solid at home. We knew that from the beginning and they scored first and then it was hard to get back and try and win the game. It was a good match for us. We didn’t get the result we were looking for.”
On back-to-back road losses…
“It’s tough to come back from the break and have two games on the road. We knew that from the beginning and we were looking to get points. It doesn’t matter home or away, that’s our mentality. This time we couldn’t succeed, but we are still looking to get back in form.”
