Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinal
Postgame Quotes
Veljko Paunovic, Chicago Fire head coach
On tonight’s performance
“We’re obviously very happy and very excited. Always when you have a good game, like tonight I think the performance was very good from our team, very happy with every player that participated. I think how we managed the game was also very important. The only thing that we are a little bit concerned about is Razvan, and he got a very strong contusion in his calf so we’ll see if he can recover for the next game, that will be the only negative side to this game. On the other side I’m very happy how we started, we started with the goal, that very important opening goal, then we moved forward and scored a second goal. We went, even in the first half, to score the third goal so that we could manage substitutions and give rest to some of our guys, but then in the second half we started also with the third goal and that was actually pretty good for us to start with Plan B, which was for us to rest guys and prepare for the next game.”
On coming out strong and scoring the first goal
“We said before this game in our conference call, actually, we said we respect every single rival for us. There’s no small or big rival, we play every single game to win and we do our best. For us, this was a must win game, as we said, and I think we managed very well. As I said before, we opened the game with the PK and we scored that goal, and then actually we executed the plan today perfectly. We are very happy, very motivated about what we are right now achieving. Semifinals, it’s not a small thing and we’re looking forward to our next game, but of course before that we have a couple of games more that we have to play and our main thing that we have to improve is our performance on the road and this is what we have. The best thing about this game is when you have two days after you have another game after you win you’re just excited and I can’t wait to play that game. So, New England on Saturday is going to be tough game, very tough game, but now the guys know already: recover, think about the next game, think about how we can play the best we can in order to win the game.”
On getting Accam and de Leeuw both involved in the attack
“I think today, especially in the second half, we had a great opportunity to rehearse how to play, how to control the game when Fort Lauderdale, after the third goal obviously, they dropped a little bit more so it was a great opportunity for us to learn how to manage these types of games, where you have possession, where you have to build your plays and be precise with the ball so find a way to build the opportunities and create chances through possession and going from one side to the other so all these kinds of things were very important for us, that’s why I was always trying to motivate them because we have 3-0, I want four, I want a fifth, that’s the mentality I was looking for and I was trying to relay that to our players because it’s actually a very good opportunity for us to rehearse on that side.”
On playing New England on Saturday
“We lost the first game we played in New England, it was a tough, tough loss for us and nobody liked that, and I just remember and when I have the opportunity to play again I just want to win on Saturday and we will manage that. I know that we have a lot of games still. Every single game is important, because today we went with our best possible guys so that we can win the game and from that we built our Plan B but we want to win all our games and until we don’t get that mentality where we are not only are trying to win but we achieve that and we learned how to feel comfortable with it, the role. This is what we are looking for, to become a winning team. Again, today was a game where we could feel like, at least for 45 minutes or 30 minutes, a winning team. First time for me this year where we felt comfortable and we didn’t stop for that much but that was just one small step. Now, next game in New England, then we move forward. This competition is important for us.”
David Accam, Chicago Fire forward
On the win
“For me every game is important and you play in a home game and want to give the fans that we are good enough so we came out early and it is a good result for us.”
On earning the penalty kick
“I don’t know, maybe they didn’t check but I had a lot of space but for us we try to utilize the spacing behind and it payed off.”
On the early goal changing the game
“It did a lot, that is why in the locker room we wanted to start the game early and our first goal we just went straight to their half and the first goal was the difference today.”
On de Leeuw’s goal
“I don’t think we have scored a more difficult goal all season. For me that is a good striker, he was in a good place, most people would not be there and for him it payed off because he was in a good position.”
On his partnership with de Leeuw
“I think so, he is a different type of player and obviously he’s kind of like a box striker and a different kind of striker, that is what we lacked all season and he is contributing a lot.”
On advancing to the semifinal
“Every competition is huge for us but with this we are close to winning a trophy and for us we try and take every game seriously, this will boost the morale of the team because if we keep winning these games then we have a chance in every competition we play”
On how the goal helps his confidence
“I feel confident going into every game and for me I want to play well and today is not just about a goal, I think I have played well the last 15 minutes I was on the pitch and I need this to boost my confidence.”
Michael de Leeuw, Chicago Fire forward
On the goal
“I was just making a quick decision and I was first looking for the first ball but David dribbled to the left side and then you know you can be there for the rebound but the ball fell to my feet. It is good to score the second goal, it is important in the end for the third goal because you know it is done. If it is 2-0 then they score and you know it can be difficult but in the end we played a good game.”
On playing with a speedy player in Accam
“Keep up, keep up with him. You know he is fast, when he gets the ball he goes for it. He is like Usain Bolt. You know you have to be prepared for the rebound, that is what I am doing. He made the shot and just be there for the rebound.”
On the road winless streak heading into the weekend
“No, if we think like that then we don’t have to go. I think that every game we think we can win and we go in for the win. Saturday again we go for the win and I’m not thinking about the streak that we got on the road. You know, it is another opportunity to play and to win and we need the points because we are six points behind and I think New England has six more points than us and two games more so it is an important game for us but we like to win on the road and it is a great chance for us to do that on Saturday.”
