Chicago Fire 2:2 Toronto FC
QUOTE SHEET
RECAP
Veljko Paunovic, Chicago Fire Head Coach
On the match:
"It was very intense. This is the reason why we love this game obviously, and when you have games like this, sometimes when you don’t win you feel happy coming back two-zero against a great team, reigning champions. The huge performance from the guys, and the effort they showed in this game, makes you feel very, very satisfied. Obviously I’m very proud of their effort, proud of the game and the reaction we had after we conceded two goals."
On what Alan Gordon brings to the team:
"I think that is the most important part, he brings everything in every game. He knew today he had 15 minutes to play and he brought everything. He put everything on the field, his heart, his experience, his quality and he is a specialist in these kinds of situations. Two times he was close to scoring, the second one is obviously what you expect form somebody that has had such a great performance so far in the league and so much experience."
Four points from two road games, what is your mood about that?
"I’m satisfied with the progression we had after the second game. After two losses we had in the start of the season, from that moment we had a meeting and said this is a brand new start. It was early in the season and we kind of restarted from that point, started to build our momentum and we are very satisfied with this progression. Obviously we still have a long way to go, just next week we have a great opponent in Atlanta, it’s one of the best teams and another hard week for us, hard challenge and test for this group but this group is growing, this group is getting better, it’s building getting points and good results and capable of playing two away games against two very difficult fields in the Red Bulls and Toronto today, getting points, winning and getting a draw in this hard game I think is huge progress for the team."
Bastian Schweinsteiger, Chicago Fire midfielder
On the result:
"I think that Toronto is the best team in the league, and even though they had a game during the week you could see the quality of the team. I have to say, our team, great reaction, great spirit especially from the players who came in helped us a lot and I think we deserve today that point."
On your role in the game:
"I started over there (on the back line), but then the result changed, we were down and so we tried to change a little bit and I played higher up. But of course, it depended on the first and second goal."
On Alan Gordon’s goal:
"It was very important, he had a great chance before and he is very dangerous, especially when you cross the ball into the box."
On getting four points from two road games:
"We are pleased with how we played against the Red Bulls and also today. As I said, the mentality is great, how reacted today was fantastic. We could have also deserved three points today because we had very good chances but overall we are on the right way and hopefully we can continue next week against Atlanta."
Mo Adam, Chicago Fire midfielder
What is your mood after the match?
"Absolutely thrilled. I think anytime you come to Toronto and get a result against the champions I think is always great. To say we are slightly disappointed with a two-two draw says something, I think we could have nicked things towards the end. I think it’s another step forward for us."
How does it feel to get out there and get another start like that?
"Very pleased. Obviously anytime you can help the team in anyway it’s absolutely brilliant and for me to get out on the field and to perform well in both games, to see my hard work paying off pleases me for sure. First and foremost, everything is about the team and I’ll respect the coach’s decision to whether I play of whether I don’t, I’m just happy about the four points in two games."
What do you think you guys did better in the second half?
"I think the transition first of all, winning the ball and going forward was a lot quicker than the first half. Our service into the box was always going to put them under a little bit of pressure and that’s where the goals in the match came from."
