Chicago Fire President and General Manager Nelson Rodríguez hosted his first roundtable Q&A of 2018 on Wednesday afternoon with both local and national members of the media. Watch the full replay of the event in the video player above.
Topics covered:
00:00 - Opening remarks
15:00 - On how the team is performing relative to his expectations
17:00 - On what he believes the team needs in the upcoming transfer window
19:00 - On how he sees the team progressing in his third season
20:00 - On whether he's had conversations with the technical staff regarding contract extensions
21:00 - On the potential for new signings this summer to make an impact this season
22:00 - On steps taken to improve the club's scouting system
24:00 - On how he prioritizes potential player acquisitions
25:00 - On how he's replaced the players that departed in the offseason
26:00 - On if he believes there were opportunities missed during the winter transfer window
28:00 - (ESP/ENG) On positions where he believes the club can improve
30:00 - (ESP/ENG) On whether injuries have factored into the team's performance so far
32:00 - On the proposed Chicago USL team
36:00 - (ESP/ENG) On the rumors linking Fernando Torres to the club
38:00 - On asking for patience from the fans regarding on-field performance
40:00 - On matchday attendance
43:00 - On the timetable for on-field improvement
44:00 - On the U.S. Soccer general manager job
47:00 - On Bastian Schweinsteiger's on-going impact
49:00 - On the club's broadcast partnership with ESPN+
52:00 - On the academy's pipeline to the first-team
54:00 - On the club competing for a spot in the Concacaf Champions League
55:00 - On the club's on-going affiliation with USL side Tulsa Roughnecks
57:00 - On how the club plans to capture the momentum surrounding the 2018 FIFA World Cup
58:00 - On how his dual role in the front office has impacted his responsibilities
59:00 - On the first-team's younger players and whether he believes they can become impact players
61:00 - On his approach to player valuations
65:00 - (ENG/ESP) On if he sees the club acquiring players set to participate in the 2018 FIFA World Cup
67:00 - (ENG/ESP) On what grade he would give the club at this point in the season
69:00 - On what it would mean should the club miss the 2018 MLS Cup playoffs
70:00 - On if the club's current place in the standings makes it difficult to entice potential new signings
72:00 - On what he envisioned at this point when he took over prior to the 2016 season
73:00 - On how he attributes the club's rash of injuries in 2018
77:00 - On Matt Polster's health status and how Kevin Ellis and Rafael Ramos have filled in
78:00 - On his vision of a three-year plan
82:00 - On how much money the club has available to spend this summer
86:00 - (ENG/ESP) On Jon Bakero's adjustment to his first professional season
89:00 - On Aleksandar Katai's long-term future with the club
