Chicago Fire Veljko Paunovic
On the result
"Well I gotta praise our guys for another huge, huge game, huge effort. Today we had everything you need to have in order to win against one of the best teams in the league, the team that was very consistent in their play and in their success so far. In moments we were tactical, in moments we were smart, and in moments we were good technically also and other moments we were lucky to be honest and that's all you have to do. We were courageous and working hard and the team [was] playing as a unit, playing all together, taking care for each other. When somebody makes the mistake and then somebody else fixes [it], then it's contagious and everyone does more for the team and more for the teammates. That's something that in these kind of games, where maybe in the past we were missing, but in these kind of games that can be decisive."
On finding the right moments to secure the victory
"The way we played requires a lot of strength and energy and we also had difficult weather, the same as our opponent, so there are no excuses for that. It was difficult to sustain that good pace of the game that we had in the first half. To be honest, the individual quality of our players decided the game and I'm so happy that the way we played, that it can get to that moment where the guys step in the responsibility and decide the game just scoring fantastic goals. As I said, Orlando is one of the best teams and you don't expect that you're going to have the ball all the game and you don't expect that you're going to control all the time. We had our Plan B and we stick with that and in moments we had to switch and [in] those couple of changes the team reacted very well and again all the credit to our fantastic team and fantastic players."
On if this is a turning point in the season
"For us, it's going from game to game. We were in this situation a couple of weeks ago when we won also on the road, but we weren't capable to create the momentum. Yes, this is important, but we don't want to think about creating the momentum. It's something that is going to come. Just live this moment and recover and prepare for the next game. Fortunately we have another game just in a couple of days in Philly and from this night we're gonna start thinking about that."
On Nemanja Nikolić being replaced prior to injury
"It's a different reason that he came out. He had some physical issues. It's all good but we believe that he's gonna be ready for the next game."
Chicago Fire Forward Alan Gordon
On scoring late goals
"That's usually my role, is to come in and try to provide a spark, give the guys some help. They fought really hard tonight."
On this win being a turning point for the team
"Yeah, that's what we talked about before the game. We needed a performance, a team performance. We need to stick together, we need to show each other that we are willing to fight for each other and we did that tonight. The guys on the field gave everything, everything to get this win. And I am really happy to have given something to that, to help these guys who work so hard and this one feels good for the team."
On why Orlando City allowed themselves to get exploited
"They were committing numbers forward because they were searching for the win and we stayed patient. We were fighting hard and and we were looking for our one chance and Aleksandar Katai was doing a hell of a job taking guys on and being available. And so when we got the chance to go forward we did it and you know Basti [Schweinsteiger] gave me that ball and I just cracked it."
Chicago Fire Goalkeeper Patrick McLain
On trade with Orlando City
"The real credit goes to the guys that are in front of me. There were so many opportunities that could’ve been a lot different if they hadn’t blocked them. So, I’m just really thankful that they put in such a shift. I don’t really have anything to say about the trading and all that.”
On defensive success
“Like I said before, they had a lot of opportunities and things could’ve gone a lot different if they hadn’t put their bodies on the line. Obviously, while we were doing our work back there, the forwards did their work. Couldn’t be more proud.”
On Orlando’s pattern of scoring late and holding them off
“I think it just shows real grit from the team to hang on, to do what’s necessary, to go in the game alive."
